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

Best of 7 game series between two teams, A and B. You get even odds on both teams for each game and you have to work out how much to bet on each game so that you win $100 if A wins the series and lose $100 if B wins the series and specifically how much you bet on the first game.
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Mar 5, 2013

Best of 7 game series between two teams, A and B. You get even odds on both teams for each game and you have to work out how much to bet on each game so that you win $100 if A wins the series and lose $100 if B wins the series and specifically how much you bet on the first game.

A survey is given to all passengers on a number of different planes. The survey asks each person how full their plane was. The people answer honestly. If 50% of people claim that their plane was 80% full, while the other 50% claim that their plane was 20% full, how full was the average plane?
avatar

Assistant Trader Summer Internship

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Feb 17, 2014

A survey is given to all passengers on a number of different planes. The survey asks each person how full their plane was. The people answer honestly. If 50% of people claim that their plane was 80% full, while the other 50% claim that their plane was 20% full, how full was the average plane?

The first three questions are mental math. I still remember the hardest one is calculating the 39% of 569 without any pen or paper. The next question is a simple probability: pick 2 cards from a set of poker without 2 Jokers, what is the probability that both cards are Ks. The last one is brain teaser: what is the angle between the minute hand and hour hand on a clock when 9:30.
avatar

Trader Intern

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Apr 12, 2014

The first three questions are mental math. I still remember the hardest one is calculating the 39% of 569 without any pen or paper. The next question is a simple probability: pick 2 cards from a set of poker without 2 Jokers, what is the probability that both cards are Ks. The last one is brain teaser: what is the angle between the minute hand and hour hand on a clock when 9:30.

1. Quick math, answering as much as you can within time limit like 37-65.2 2. Personality check, 185 questions in all 3. Behavioral questions, quick math again, and simple probability calculation (expected value of a game)
avatar

Junior Trader

Interviewed at AKUNA CAPITAL

4
Oct 1, 2015

1. Quick math, answering as much as you can within time limit like 37-65.2 2. Personality check, 185 questions in all 3. Behavioral questions, quick math again, and simple probability calculation (expected value of a game)

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