Trader Interview Questions

Trader Interview Questions

In a trader interview, the interviewer likely wants to see that you are knowledgeable about financial markets and have strong opinions about them. Further, you can expect hypothetical questions that test your sales skills and showcase your personality. Speak persuasively and with conviction about the latest news in stocks.

Top Trader Interview Questions & How To Answer

Question 1

Question #1: Pitch me a stock that you would buy or sell now.

How to answer
How to answer: This is an opportunity to demonstrate your sales skills and tell a convincing story about a stock. Choose a company you know well, and be prepared for follow-up questions. Defend your case without wavering.
Question 2

Question #2: What is the riskiest decision you have ever made?

How to answer
How to answer: While trading is a role that requires risk taking, you can use this question to prove that you are thoughtful and well-researched when evaluating risk. Talk through your reasoning, why you determined this was an appropriate risk to take, and what the outcome was. The interviewer might also want to see you confidently stand by your decisions.
Question 3

Question #3. Tell me about something that happened recently in the financial markets and your opinion of it.

How to answer
How to answer: This question is twofold. A successful answer would first prove that you have a genuine interest in stocks and keep up to date with market news, which changes daily. Stay informed by reading reputable financial newspapers regularly. Second, this question allows you to share your unique point of view. Try to show the interviewer that you see value where others may not.

8,650 trader interview questions shared by candidates

You are 2 points down in a basketball match....if you shoot for a 2 pointer you have a 33 percent chance of scoring and the game goes to overtime. If you shoot for 3 you have a 25 percent chance of scoring ....if the game goes to overtime you have a 50 percent chance of winning....which shot should you go for?
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Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Jan 10, 2012

You are 2 points down in a basketball match....if you shoot for a 2 pointer you have a 33 percent chance of scoring and the game goes to overtime. If you shoot for 3 you have a 25 percent chance of scoring ....if the game goes to overtime you have a 50 percent chance of winning....which shot should you go for?

-If the radius of a sphere is expanding at a rate of 4 metres/second, and the starting radius is 0.25 metres, what is the volume of the sphere after 2 1/2 minutes? -if the mean of X=4 and the variance of X is 9, and the mean of Y=5 and the variance of Y is 16, what is the standard deviation of X + Y given a relationship of -3/8 (x to y)? - there are 3 faucets. Faucet #1 can fill a sink in 20 min, F#2 can fill a sink in 12 min, and F#3 can fill a sink in 5 min. If all 3 faucets are running at the same time, how long will it take for the sink to fill?
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Junior Trader

Interviewed at TransMarket Group

4.1
Feb 12, 2014

-If the radius of a sphere is expanding at a rate of 4 metres/second, and the starting radius is 0.25 metres, what is the volume of the sphere after 2 1/2 minutes? -if the mean of X=4 and the variance of X is 9, and the mean of Y=5 and the variance of Y is 16, what is the standard deviation of X + Y given a relationship of -3/8 (x to y)? - there are 3 faucets. Faucet #1 can fill a sink in 20 min, F#2 can fill a sink in 12 min, and F#3 can fill a sink in 5 min. If all 3 faucets are running at the same time, how long will it take for the sink to fill?

I play a game where I start with a score of 100. I then flip 10 coins in a row. Every time I get a head I add 1 to my score. When I get a tails I take the reciprocal of my score. If you are running this game, and people are given their score in pounds at the end of the game, how much would you charge people to play?
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Quantitative Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Mar 29, 2019

I play a game where I start with a score of 100. I then flip 10 coins in a row. Every time I get a head I add 1 to my score. When I get a tails I take the reciprocal of my score. If you are running this game, and people are given their score in pounds at the end of the game, how much would you charge people to play?

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