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.

8,651 trader interview questions shared by candidates

100 pennies in a jar. 1 penny has 'heads' on both sides. You pick a penny out of the jar and give it to your friend (without looking at the penny). Your friend flips the penny in the air and gets 7 heads in a row. Which penny do you have? Why?
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Equity Derivatives Trader Trainee Co-op/Internship

Interviewed at Group One Trading

4.4
Jun 30, 2010

100 pennies in a jar. 1 penny has 'heads' on both sides. You pick a penny out of the jar and give it to your friend (without looking at the penny). Your friend flips the penny in the air and gets 7 heads in a row. Which penny do you have? Why?

I have 100 coins, 99 that are heads/tails and one that is double sided heads. If I pick one of the coins at random, flip it seven times, and get 7 heads in a row, is the coin more likely to be double sided heads or a regular heads/tails coin.
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Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Belvedere Trading

4.2
Apr 21, 2010

I have 100 coins, 99 that are heads/tails and one that is double sided heads. If I pick one of the coins at random, flip it seven times, and get 7 heads in a row, is the coin more likely to be double sided heads or a regular heads/tails coin.

We are playing a game where the first person to say "40" wins, and each player must add 1-10 to the previous number. For example, I say 5; you can say any number 6-15 to which I have to react. For you to say "40" first, what is your strategy? Hint: You need to choose whether or not to go first, then your strategy going forward.
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Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Oct 12, 2011

We are playing a game where the first person to say "40" wins, and each player must add 1-10 to the previous number. For example, I say 5; you can say any number 6-15 to which I have to react. For you to say "40" first, what is your strategy? Hint: You need to choose whether or not to go first, then your strategy going forward.

A can finish a job in 100 min, B can finish the same job in 120 min. A and B work together on this job, but after 40 min C comes to help them and they finish the job in additional 10 min. How long would it take to C to finish the job by himself?
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Quantitative Trader

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Nov 2, 2020

A can finish a job in 100 min, B can finish the same job in 120 min. A and B work together on this job, but after 40 min C comes to help them and they finish the job in additional 10 min. How long would it take to C to finish the job by himself?

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