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.

8,659 trader interview questions shared by candidates

For the HR questions, all are basic behavioral questions. I will try to list all that I remember: 1. Talk about yourself and why you want to join this program. 2. Tell about a leadership experience. Can be from school, internship, or other projects. 3. Tell about a teamwork experience. 4. Tell about one time you faced extremely stressful situation and how you dealt with it. 5. Tell about your understanding of Optiver. 6. Tell about your understanding of what skills a trader should possess and what you still lack of to become. 7. Have you applied for other trader roles at rival companies? 8. If you're interested in becoming a trader, why you never try to do something relevant, like internship?
avatar

Graduate Trader

Interviewed at Optiver

3.8
Mar 16, 2023

For the HR questions, all are basic behavioral questions. I will try to list all that I remember: 1. Talk about yourself and why you want to join this program. 2. Tell about a leadership experience. Can be from school, internship, or other projects. 3. Tell about a teamwork experience. 4. Tell about one time you faced extremely stressful situation and how you dealt with it. 5. Tell about your understanding of Optiver. 6. Tell about your understanding of what skills a trader should possess and what you still lack of to become. 7. Have you applied for other trader roles at rival companies? 8. If you're interested in becoming a trader, why you never try to do something relevant, like internship?

Can someone give me an example of how to answer the question "Make a market on the number of streets in Manhattan" (I made it up. I'm not sure about how to make the initial "wide" bid/ask spread and then gradually shrink it, How do you interact with the interviewer with a question like this, specifically? Thanks!!)
avatar

Trader

Interviewed at Optiver

3.8
Sep 17, 2013

Can someone give me an example of how to answer the question "Make a market on the number of streets in Manhattan" (I made it up. I'm not sure about how to make the initial "wide" bid/ask spread and then gradually shrink it, How do you interact with the interviewer with a question like this, specifically? Thanks!!)

math assessment you should practice on mental math. its simple addition/subtraction and multiply/division but you have to be quiet at solving the problem. - you should be able to score at around 55 out of 80 to move on. trader interview -review probability and stats and practice on brainteasers
avatar

Junior Trader

Interviewed at Optiver

3.8
May 14, 2014

math assessment you should practice on mental math. its simple addition/subtraction and multiply/division but you have to be quiet at solving the problem. - you should be able to score at around 55 out of 80 to move on. trader interview -review probability and stats and practice on brainteasers

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