If you are applying for a job at Wells Fargo, one of the world’s largest and most respected financial institutions, you need to be prepared for the interview process.
Wells Fargo has a reputation for hiring the best talent and providing excellent customer service, so you need to demonstrate that you have the skills, experience, and personality that match the company’s values and culture.
In this post, we will share some of the most common Wells Fargo behavioral interview questions and how to answer them. Whether you are applying for a position as a teller, a manager, a developer, or anything in between, these tips will help you ace your Wells Fargo interview and land your dream job.
Wells Fargo Behavioral Interview Questions
- Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult customer. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?
- Describe a situation where you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you prioritize tasks and ensure the work was completed on time?
- Can you share an example of a project you worked on as part of a team? What role did you play, and how did you contribute to the team’s success?
- Discuss a time when you faced a challenge in achieving a goal. What steps did you take to overcome obstacles and achieve success?
- Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a significant change at work. How did you handle the transition, and what was the impact of your adaptability?
- Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict with a colleague. How did you approach the conversation, and what steps did you take to resolve it?
- Can you share an example of when you identified an opportunity for process improvement? What steps did you take to implement the changes, and what was the result?
- Discuss a project where you had to work with data or financial information. How did you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work?
- Tell me about a time when you had to prioritize competing tasks or projects. How did you decide what to focus on, and how did you manage your time effectively?
- Describe a situation where you had to demonstrate leadership skills, whether in a formal or informal capacity. How did you inspire and guide others toward a common goal?
Wells Fargo Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
1. Share an experience of handling a difficult customer in the banking industry. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
Example: I have experience working as a teller and handling customer complaints. One time a customer came to me very upset because they saw an unauthorized transaction on their account. I reviewed the transaction and confirmed that it was unauthorized. I empathized with the customer and assured them I would block any future transactions from that source. I also informed them that, according to the bank’s policy, they would receive a full refund for the unauthorized transaction since it was under $500.00. The customer left satisfied and relieved, thanking me for my help.
2. Tell me about a time when you faced a high-pressure challenge in the banking industry. How did you manage your stress levels and what methods did you use to overcome the difficulty?
Example: In my last job, I worked as a mortgage specialist. Interest rates continued to fall, and the demand for new mortgages continued to rise. Processing a mortgage takes time, and understandably, customers want to get pre-approved as soon as possible. It was stressful to handle such a high volume of mortgages simultaneously, and it required great attention to detail.
To manage stress, I took breaks whenever possible, even if it meant working late. Rushing my work could lead to critical mistakes, so I recognized the importance of allowing myself time to recharge. By taking short breaks, I could return to my tasks with a fresh perspective and maintain accuracy in my work.
3. How did you work with a team to overcome a challenge or reach a goal in the banking sector? Describe a situation, your role, and the team’s success.
Example: In the last branch I worked at, we experienced one of the longest wait times. We gathered as a group to discuss how we could improve collectively. I suggested that we review all the transactions performed during the week to identify which ones took the longest. Through this analysis, we discovered that certain transactions were consistently taking more time than others, indicating a need for additional training in those areas. After receiving the necessary training, we observed a noticeable improvement in our wait times.
4. Describe a situation where you had to persuade a customer to try a new banking product or service. How did you approach the customer, and what methods did you use?
Example: “In my last job, I worked as a bank teller where we promoted a new credit card with travel reward points. My responsibilities included politely greeting customers, and completing their desired transactions. When I greeted customers I asked open-ended questions and often it turned into their holidays. I would then tell them about the bank’s credit card with travel rewards. I also noticed that when customers came in for foreign exchange transactions, I would discuss the credit card. I found my approach best worked when understanding the customer’s needs.”
5. How did you deal with a mistake in your work at a bank? Describe a situation, your actions, and the steps you took to correct the error and avoid it in the future.
Example: In my last job, I worked as a bank teller where we promoted a new credit card with travel reward points. My responsibilities included politely greeting customers and completing their desired transactions. When greeting customers, I would ask open-ended questions, and the conversation often turned towards their holidays. This provided an opportunity for me to introduce the bank’s credit card with travel rewards. Additionally, I noticed that discussing credit cards with customers who came in for foreign exchange transactions proved beneficial. I found that understanding the customers’ needs was key to successfully persuading them to try a new banking product.