Interview question: Why do you want to work in financial services?

 Apart from your passion for the discipline, interviewers also want smart responses emphasizing your awareness of the company, its requirements, and your position inside it. We will go into the reasoning behind this interview question, the insights the respondents desire, strategies for crafting your response, and provide examples of valid answers to enable you produce a robust response.

“Why do you want to work in financial services?” - Why do interviewers ask this question?

This question is not just about your career preferences—it’s about assessing your motivation, awareness, and fit for the role and industry.

1. To gauge your motivation

Businesses aim to understand your motivating factors. The financial services sector demands commitment, perseverance, and a constantly learning mentality. An aspiring candidate should be adaptable to changes, remain strong under demanding conditions, and aggressively pursue opportunities for improvement. Your response helps companies decide whether you are looking for a fantastic career or if you really have passion for finance.

2. To test industry awareness

Do you understand the actual responsibilities attached to a career in financial services? Do you know the differences among the several career paths in the company, including corporate finance, consulting, asset management, insurance, investment banking, and fintech? A well-written response shows great awareness of the sector, embracing its present trends, challenges, and opportunities.

3. To determine cultural fit

Companies are looking for candidates that suit the main values of the financial services industry, which comprise analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, integrity, and a strong client orientation. Every firm has unique culture, hence your response can reveal whether your personality, work ethic, and values match their expectations.

4. To understand your career goals

Though it is well-known for its tough environment and long working hours, the financial services sector also offers lots of prospects for development. Interviewers want to ensure your career objectives align with the opportunities the employment offers. This helps you evaluate your degree of fulfilment potential and your will to gradually have a major impact.

How should you approach this question?

When thinking about your answer you want to show sector knowledge, sincere excitement, and self-awareness. Businesses want evidence that you have thoroughly considered your career path and understand the responsibilities of the job. Here is a logical approach to articulate a thoughtful, coherent and persuasive response:

Step 1: Reflect on your motivations

First, think about the causes of your actual interest in financial issues. Avoid answers such as "it offers a good salary" or "it is a respected profession". Although those responses are considerable, companies are looking for candidates with less generic yet powerful motivations. Here are some questions to guide your thinking:

What first aroused your financial interest? Was it a course taken in college, a relative in the industry, or perhaps reading books or news about money? Which aspect of financial services most interests you? Would you want to watch market trends, research economic systems, thrive in changing surroundings, or handle strategic problems? Has anything especially caught your attention?

Since you most likely don't have bespoke finance work experience, think of creative ways to show your motivation: do you have a small personal investment portfolio? Did you perhaps run a trading simulation as a university project?  Remember, you need a personal narrative illustrating your road into the financial sector. Since they present a vivid and unforgettable picture of your drive, personal anecdotes have significant value in interviews.

Step 2: Demonstrate understanding of the industry

Interviewers want to understand your interest in the financial sector. You could show them you're serious about your career goals by by staying informed about financial news, so you can demonstrate you're up-to-date with the latest developments to your interviewers. Keep in mind that you should go for trustworthy sources like The Economist, Bloomberg, or the Financial Times. Some of the topics you could touch on could be changes to laws, mergers, acquisitions and world economic patterns.

Example phrases to include in your response could include:

"What excites me about this business is how it's always changing — for example, the way technology is redefining risk management and client services"

"I find it particularly  fascinating how companies are incorporating ESG factors into their strategies and the increasingly important role of sustainability in investment decisions."

Remember that your interviewers are going to be very knowledgeable about the field, so you may be asked a follow-up question on anything you choose to bring up - be sure that you really understand the concepts you include in your answer and are comfortable discussing them.

Step 3: Show that you have the skills to succeed

Having proved your enthusiasm and industry understanding, now is your time to shine. For this industry and role, what makes you a suitable candidate? Think about the following skills:

• Strong communication
• Analytical thinking
• Numerical proficiency
• Commercial awareness
• Rigorous attention to detail

Then try to come up with at least one example from your life that could demonstrate your proficiency clearly to the employer. 

Here are a few examples that you might find apply to you: 

When it comes to academic achievements, having a degree in finance, economics, mathematics, or accounting is definitely a big advantage. However, don’t worry if you have an unrelated degree: you can still use it to highlight how it has helped you develop your analytical or problem-solving skills.

Internships can also be key. Even if your experience wasn’t at a bank, any work, especially if you got your hands on some finance-adjacent tasks, can really make a difference. Share what you learnt during that time and how it solidified your interest in pursuing a career in finance.

Extracurricular activities matter too! Being involved in investment clubs, participating in case competitions, joining debating societies, or taking on leadership roles in student organizations could all help you build valuable, transferable skills.

Lastly, don’t forget to mention any technical skills or certifications you have. Whether it’s financial modeling, proficiency in Excel, Python, SQL, experience with Bloomberg Terminal, or preparing for CFA Level 1, these skills can really set you apart.
 

Here's how you could structure your answer:

"I learned financial flow modelling and customer presentations directly while interning at XYZ Ltd. I liked the analytical aspect of the work and found that I worked well under pressure. This experience cemented my ambition to work in corporate finance"

"I led a group of university investing society members analysing UK stocks and delivering stock
proposals. This improved my knowledge of markets and made me a better team player"

Step 4: Tailor your answer to the firm and role

A bland response can really harm your chances, even if you have the most exceptional credentials. Interviewers want to discover why you are interested in their firm and the particular role. A great way to convince them you're the right fit is to undertake a bit of research into the company and role. 

Analyse the corporate cultural orientation and values. Review their most current achievements, policies on diversity and inclusion, community service programs, and mission statements. Review the most current agreements, policies, or announcements. 

Example phrases to consider:

"I'm drawn to [Firm Name] because of your great reputation in innovation; your recent
collaboration with a blockchain startup to increase transaction transparency really excites me"

"I appreciate your rotational graduate program and dedication to staff development; I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for me to become a well-rounded finance professional"
 

Tip: Make sure your response ties into the field you're interested in. If you're applying for a job in audit in a consulting company, their great reputation in delivering data solutions doesn't provide the best angle for your answer. 

Examples of Strong Answers:

Example 1: For a Student Studying Finance

"I have always been very comfortable working with numbers and this guided my choice of university major. I then developed a strong passion for finance through modules like corporate finance and financial modelling, where I had the chance to examine case studies from real-world companies. I'm very excited at the opportunity to apply these skills to help clients in making smart strategic decisions including capital raising, risk management, and investment appraisal appeals.. I appreciate the industry's dynamic nature and potential for professional growth, which is why I particularly value your company's stellar reputation for offering fresh graduates mentoring opportunities and structured development courses"

Example 2: For an Economics Graduate With No Finance Experience

"My involvement with the university's economics society, where I planned talks on global markets and monetary policies was the beginning of my enthusiasm for financial services. Examining challenging issues and understanding how financial institutions shape the overall condition of the economy truly fascinate me. What's particularly appealing to me is thie opportunity to excercise a unique blend of strategic thinking with thorough investigation. Whether through advising clients, investment management, or risk analysis, I see a career in financial services as a great way to develop my interests and apply my skills. I'm thrilled at the prospects of a career where I can grow and have an impact"

Example 3: For a Candidate Interested in Fintech

"My enthusiasm for technology fits quite well with my passion for finance. I have closely followed how the rise of fintech companies has been altering the availability and accessibility of financial instruments. During my internship in a digital bank, I witnessed the potential of data and automation for the field. This experience has strengthened my ambition to work in financial services, particularly in a forward-looking organization where I can contribute to change. This opportunity truly excites me since your company's open banking and digital transformation projects perfectly suit my long-term goals of creating inclusive and technologically driven financial solutions"

Example 4: For a Career Switcher

"Having developed my project management skills over the past few years, I am now looking to move into the financial services sector, a field that I've been curious about for a long time. I have on many occasions worked with financial teams on vendor negotiations, budget planning, and forecasting. The opportunity to My analytical skills and the challenge in balancing operational needs with financial goals pulled me in. Since then, I have gone to accounting and corporate finance seminars to expand my knowledge. In particular, I find the strategic aspects of jobs in this industry fascinating. The financial services industry appeals to me be cause of their huge impact, intellectual rigor, and constantly shifting environment. The opportunity to apply my knowledge and passion to to the finance sector excites me.";

What to Avoid in Your Answer

While it's important to be genuine, there are common pitfalls that can weaken your response. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Vagueness: Saying “I like finance” without explanation won’t cut it. Be specific about what
  interests you.
• Salary focus: Avoid highlighting money as your primary motivation, even if compensation is
  attractive.
• Lack of research: Don’t generalise or say “I want to work at a big bank” without naming one or
  explaining why.
• Overconfidence or underpreparation: Don’t assume passion alone is enough; show how your experience and education has prepared you for the role

Tips for Perfecting Your Answer

To deliver your answer confidently, keep these tips in mind:

• Write it out: Draft your answer in advance. This helps clarify your thinking and structure your points.
• Practice: Going through your answer out loud improves fluency and helps you catch awkward phrasing.
• Tailor for Each Role: Slightly adapt your answer depending on the company and job function.
• Stay Conversational: Avoid sounding robotic. Speak with enthusiasm and authenticity.
• Get Feedback: Ask a mentor, friend, or careers advisor to review your answer and suggest improvements.

"Why do you want to work in financial services?" might seem like a difficult question at first, but it gives you a great opportunity to highlight your drive, aptitudes, and potential. A clear answer shows your enthusiasm for the field, your awareness of its requirements, and your will to succeed on a demanding but fulfilling professional path. Combining industry knowledge, strategic insights, and personal introspection in your answer is a great way to catch the interviewer's attention. Although the financial services industry is competitive, your best chance of being hired is by proving great preparation.

Exploring your options? Why not explore our selection of finance graduate jobs