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Trader Interview Questions

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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

Sum the odd integers between 1 and 100. Roll two die, what is the probability that the sum of the pips on the die are at least 9. There is a car auction. The price of the car is uniform [0,1000], you do not know the actual value of the car. If you bid higher than the value of the car you get it, if you bid lower than the value of the car you don't. If you know you can sell it on afterwards for x times its worth, what should you should you bid when: x=1.5 x=2.5 e.g. for x=1.5, you bid 100, the car is worth 80, you get it and sell it on for 120, which is a 20 profit. What is the next date that the day month and year share no common values. e.g. 13/11/2014 has four '1's so doesn't count.
avatar

Trader Internship

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4★
Nov 13, 2014

Sum the odd integers between 1 and 100. Roll two die, what is the probability that the sum of the pips on the die are at least 9. There is a car auction. The price of the car is uniform [0,1000], you do not know the actual value of the car. If you bid higher than the value of the car you get it, if you bid lower than the value of the car you don't. If you know you can sell it on afterwards for x times its worth, what should you should you bid when: x=1.5 x=2.5 e.g. for x=1.5, you bid 100, the car is worth 80, you get it and sell it on for 120, which is a 20 profit. What is the next date that the day month and year share no common values. e.g. 13/11/2014 has four '1's so doesn't count.

The probability of raining on Saturday is 30%, probability of raining on Sunday is 40% (a) What is the probability of raining on weekend? (b) What is the assumption made? (c) If not independent, what is the maximum and minimum probability of rain? (Ans: 40%,70%)
avatar

Quantitative Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4★
Mar 25, 2022

The probability of raining on Saturday is 30%, probability of raining on Sunday is 40% (a) What is the probability of raining on weekend? (b) What is the assumption made? (c) If not independent, what is the maximum and minimum probability of rain? (Ans: 40%,70%)

Play a game with an urn. 75 blue balls. 25 red balls. 1 yellow ball. you get a dollar for every red and if you select the yellow you lose everything. what should be your strategy in the game. you can choose to stop or re-draw after every ball.
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4★
Feb 27, 2013

Play a game with an urn. 75 blue balls. 25 red balls. 1 yellow ball. you get a dollar for every red and if you select the yellow you lose everything. what should be your strategy in the game. you can choose to stop or re-draw after every ball.

There are two teams, each has an equal probability of winning when they play each other. The teams are playing in tournament with each other, which is best of 7. What is the probability the tournament goes until the 7th game?
avatar

Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4★
Sep 8, 2014

There are two teams, each has an equal probability of winning when they play each other. The teams are playing in tournament with each other, which is best of 7. What is the probability the tournament goes until the 7th game?

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