Question Overview: Bank tellers are often the first point of contact for customers, so it's important that they have the ability to remain calm and respectful, even when they're being yelled at. It's also important that they have the ability to diffuse the situation by explaining the bank's policies and procedures.
Sample Answer: I would try to remain calm and explain that I was sorry for the inconvenience. I would also try to find out what I could do to rectify the situation.
Question Overview: This is a question that's difficult to answer, because it's so broad. The best way to approach it is to focus on the candidate's strengths and then describe how they might be improved. For example, if the candidate says that he or she is a hard worker, you might ask how he or she might improve his or her ability to work independently.
Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker and I'm always willing to take on more responsibility. I'm also very detail-oriented and I'm good at following instructions. I think my biggest weakness is that I sometimes get too caught up in my work and forget to take a break.
Question Overview: This question is designed to help you understand the candidate's expectations. If he or she expects to be a glorified cashier, for example, it might be a good idea to explain that the job entails more than just counting money. If the candidate expects to be a glorified secretary, explain that the job is more than just answering phones and taking messages.
Sample Answer: I expect to be able to handle all aspects of the job, from counting money to answering phones and taking messages.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how well the candidate can think on his or her feet. The teller will be asked to sell a number of products, from bank services to gift cards. It's important that the candidate be able to think quickly and clearly, as well as speak persuasively.
Sample Answer: I was working at a retail store when a customer came in looking for a birthday card for her husband. I asked her what kind of card she was looking for, and she said she wanted one that was funny. I showed her a few different cards, and she picked one out.
Question Overview: The teller position is a high-stress job, as there's always the possibility that a customer will become irate. The teller must be able to remain calm and professional, even in the face of a difficult situation.
Sample Answer: I've always been good at keeping my cool, even when I'm under pressure.
Question Overview: The candidate's answer to this question is a good indication of whether or not he or she has done his or her homework. If the candidate has researched the company, it's a good sign that he or she will be a good fit.
Sample Answer: I've been looking for a job in retail for some time, and I've heard good things about your company.
Question Overview: This is a classic interview question, and it's one that's designed to see how the candidate will handle a difficult question. The best way to answer this question is to describe a weakness that's not really a weakness at all. For example, if you're interviewing for a teller position, you might say that you're a perfectionist. This isn't really a weakness, but it's also not something that you'd want to be known for.
Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist. I like everything to be just so, and sometimes I get frustrated when things don't go my way.
Question Overview: The teller position is often a stepping-stone to a career in sales. If the candidate has had previous sales experience, ask him or her to describe it. If not, ask the candidate to describe his or her customer service experience.
Sample Answer: I've worked as a cashier at a retail store for the past two years. I've had to deal with a lot of different people and situations, and I've learned how to handle them all.
Question Overview: This is a fun question that will give you insight into the candidate's personality. The answers will vary, but it's important to note how the candidate responds. If he or she is too serious, it might be a sign that he or she is too uptight for the position. If he or she is too silly, it might be a sign that he or she isn't mature enough for the position.
Sample Answer: I'd bring a boat, a fishing pole and a book.
Question Overview: This is a classic interview question, and one that's often asked in the banking industry. The candidate should be prepared to discuss his or her personal history, as well as a time when he or she had to make a difficult decision.
Sample Answer: I was born and raised in Chicago, and I've lived there ever since. I went to college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and I graduated with a degree in finance. I've worked at several banks in the area, but I'm most familiar with the operations at Bank of America.
Question Overview: A teller's job is to be accurate and efficient, but it's not always possible to do both at the same time. For example, if a customer is in a hurry, the teller might have to sacrifice accuracy in order to keep the customer happy. On the other hand, if a customer is in no rush, the teller can take his or her time and be as accurate as possible.
Sample Answer: I try to be as accurate as possible, but I also want to make sure that my customers are happy. If they're in a hurry, I'll try to be as fast as I can without sacrificing accuracy.
Question Overview: A teller's job is to make the customer feel like a valued member of the team, and that includes the other tellers. If a team member is not performing up to par, it's the teller's responsibility to address the issue in a professional manner.
Sample Answer: I would first try to talk to the person in private, so as not to embarrass them in front of other employees. If that didn't work, I would ask my supervisor for help.
Question Overview: This question is designed to reveal the candidate's level of professionalism and problem-solving skills. The teller candidate should describe a situation in which he or she was able to remain calm and professional, even when faced with a difficult customer or a stressful situation.
Sample Answer: I once had a customer who was upset because his bank account had been overdrawn. He was yelling and swearing at me, and I didn't know what to do. I asked him to step outside the bank and he did, but he continued to yell at me. I called my supervisor and she came out to talk to him. He calmed down and apologized for his behavior.
Question Overview: The interviewer is looking for a combination of factors, including the candidate's willingness to relocate, his or her reasons for moving, and the candidate's ability to adapt to a new environment. If the candidate is a recent graduate, he or she might be looking for a job in the area. If the candidate has been in the area for a while, he or she might be looking for a change of pace.
Sample Answer: I've lived in this area all my life, and I'm looking to get out of my parents' house.
Question Overview: It's important to ask this question, as it will give you a better idea of the candidate's work ethic and attitude. If the candidate was fired, he or she should be honest about it. If the candidate left on good terms, he or she should be honest about that, too.
Sample Answer: I left my last job because I was offered a position with a company that was closer to home.
Question Overview: Tellers are often expected to make decisions on the fly, so it's important that they're comfortable with the process. The candidate should be able to describe a few examples of the kinds of decisions he or she made, as well as the reasoning behind them.
Sample Answer: I was responsible for handling all the deposits and withdrawals for my department. I also had to make sure that all the cash was counted and recorded correctly.
Question Overview: The teller candidate should be able to describe a time when he or she had to deal with a difficult customer, and how he or she handled the situation. The candidate should also be able to explain how the conflict was resolved.
Sample Answer: I had a customer who was upset because she thought we'd made a mistake in her account. I tried to explain that it was a simple mistake, but she wouldn't listen. I finally asked her to step aside while I checked her account again. When I realized that she was right, I apologized and offered to make up the difference in her next deposit.
Question Overview: The teller candidate should be able to explain the benefits of the credit card, as well as the fees associated with it. He or she should also be able to describe the various types of credit cards that are available.
Sample Answer: A credit card is a great way to build a customer's loyalty to your business. It's also a convenient way to pay for purchases, as it can be used anywhere.
Question Overview: A teller's job is to provide customers with the best possible service, and that includes helping them make informed decisions about their banking needs. The teller should be able to answer questions about the products and services the bank offers, as well as be able to suggest other options that might be better suited to the customer's needs.
Sample Answer: I think it's important to be able to explain everything a customer might need to know about a product or service. If I don't know the answer, I'm happy to find out.
Question Overview: A teller is often the first person to whom a customer will turn when he or she has a problem with the bank. That means that the teller will be the first person to hear about any conflicts that arise between the customer and the bank. The teller must be able to resolve these conflicts in a calm, professional manner.
Sample Answer: I would first make certain that I understood the problem, and then I would try to resolve it as quickly as possible. If I couldn't solve the problem on my own, I would ask for help from a supervisor.