I applied through an employee referral. I interviewed at Vanguard (Spokane, WA) in Mar 2020
Interview
3/9/2020 Toured
3/18/2020 Applied
3/18/2020 You receive an automatic response with an assessment. Take it in a quiet, distraction environment. Test your decision making, efficiency, etc.
3/20 First round of interviews: They'll email to confirm and then call you. Know your resume and be prepared for 1-2 BASIC STAR questions
3/22 Assuming you past first round of interviews, they'll invite you to pick your virtual interview. Personally, I choose sooner than later. If you're selecting later, ask yourself what makes you think you'll be "so much more prepared" later? Don't push it off! This shows eagerness too in my opinion
3/27: Leading up to the interview they emailed me confirmation emails (they use Teams). I signed off and was in a ~15 person group. Two Vanguard employees walk you through Vanguard's mission/ quick facts. You then split off and are independently interviewed (chances are by someone that is not the recruiter and didn't do the phone interview).
Prep: If you can, look their name up ahead of time on LinkedIn. Recall this is the interview they would fly you down and "wooo" you if not for COVID-19. Be cognizant of distractions, dress up, and have good background/lighting. It goes a long ways.
They'll ask you 1-5 STAR questions and a few off the cuff. You must answer in STAR format and be prepared to elaborate when applicable. I would recommend reviewing the job description and finding as many scenarios/personal experiences that align with job requirements. For example: studying abroad and learning a language is similar to jumping into the finance jargon (especially if you're not a finance major). Think of your own analogies and be creative, yet clear. This is where you stand out.
4/6 My recruiter sent a vague email informing me to be patient as they were having HR forecasting meetings. It was covid-19 times and specifically the part where unemployment rates were soaring
4/27 around 10 am: I followed up via email and respectfully asked if there were any updates. I made it clear that Vanguard was my #1 choice and I was dedicated
4/27 around 3:30 pm: My recruiter called and extended an offer via the phone. They will call and ask you if you have "about 10 minutes to talk" and read you standard offer/ terms.
This position does not have a negotiable salary so do not attempt to do that at any point.
This position is open roughly forever considering Vanguard expects employees to rise through the company quickly. That said, you aren't competing against others for a position (since they're always available). Instead you're proving you are independently qualified for this position.
The interview process took about two weeks from application to offer. After submitting my application, I completed an online writing assessment followed by a short questionnaire with around five basic investing-related questions. Next, an AI scheduling assistant helped me set up a 15–20 minute phone interview with a recruiter.
The recruiter was incredibly positive, welcoming, and encouraging. She immediately put me at ease, which helped boost my confidence and allowed me to present myself well during the interview.
After moving forward, I had a Microsoft Teams interview with the hiring manager, who was equally fantastic. He made me feel comfortable throughout the conversation, which was especially appreciated since I tend to experience interview anxiety.
Overall, the hiring process was smooth, well organized, and a genuinely positive experience from start to finish.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about yourself. / How do you handle a difficult customer?
Over the phone for first round. Very friendly and felt more like a conversation at first, then came a few behavioral questions using the STAR method. Know the company and what sets them apart from others.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a time where you had to face a difficult challenge, and how did you approach it?
I applied online. I interviewed at Vanguard (Charlotte, NC) in Jun 2026
Interview
Very easy, initial online assessment, then phone screen scheduled within a few days. Then a final round with a team lead. They mostly make sure you are a good fit with the culture at the company