Mock interview night
Peer mock interviews in groups of three, with printable cards and a scoring rubric
How it runs
3 rounds so everyone plays each role, about 60 minutes with a welcome and wrap-up
Candidate
Takes a candidate card, prepares for two minutes and answers as if it were the real thing
Interviewer
Takes an interviewer card, asks the questions and at least one follow-up
Observer
Scores the rubric, notes what the candidate actually said and leads the feedback
Each round
- Candidate reads their card and prepares2 min
- Interview8 min
- Feedback using the rubric5 min
Giving feedback
- Start with one specific strength
- Quote what the candidate actually said
- Give one thing to try in the next round, not a list
- Score what was said and how clearly, never accent, a stammer or eye contact
Interviewer cards
Ask the three questions, then at least one follow-up
Why finance
Ask
- What first got you interested in a career in finance?
- What have you done to find out what the work is really like?
- What would you find hardest about the job?
Follow up with
- What else did you consider, and why not that?
- Who have you spoken to, and what surprised you?
Listen for
- A reason rooted in something they did or learned
- An accurate picture of the day-to-day work
- Honesty about the downsides without talking themselves out of it
Interviewer card · financeprep.uk
Why this firm and division
Ask
- Why have you applied to this division rather than another?
- What do you know about the kind of firm on your card?
- What would you hope to learn in your first month?
Follow up with
- How is that different from a competitor?
- Which part of the work would you enjoy least?
Listen for
- Specific reasons that wouldn't work for every firm
- A clear sense of what the division does for clients
- A link back to their own experience
Interviewer card · financeprep.uk
Teamwork and leadership
Ask
- Tell me about a time you worked in a team that wasn't getting on
- Describe a time you led something without being put in charge
- When have you had to persuade someone who disagreed with you?
Follow up with
- What exactly did you say or do?
- What would you do differently now?
Listen for
- A specific situation rather than what they usually do
- Their own actions, with I rather than we
- A result, ideally with a number, and what they learned
Interviewer card · financeprep.uk
Pressure and setbacks
Ask
- Tell me about a time something you were responsible for went wrong
- Describe a time you had several deadlines at once
- What's the most useful feedback you've been given?
Follow up with
- How did you feel at the time?
- What did you change afterwards?
Listen for
- Ownership without blaming others
- A sensible way of prioritising
- A real change in behaviour, not just a lesson learned
Interviewer card · financeprep.uk
Commercial awareness
Ask
- Tell me about a business or markets story you've followed recently
- How would higher interest rates affect a UK high street retailer?
- Which industry do you think will change most in the next five years, and why?
Follow up with
- Who wins and who loses from that?
- What would change your mind?
Listen for
- The facts first, then why it matters
- Effects on revenue, costs, customers or financing
- A view, with the risks to that view
Interviewer card · financeprep.uk
Light technical
Ask
- What happens to bond prices when interest rates rise, and why?
- What's the difference between revenue, profit and cash flow?
- How might a weaker pound affect a UK company that sells abroad?
Follow up with
- Can you give me a simple example?
- Why does that matter to an investor?
Listen for
- Accurate answers in plain English
- A simple example that shows understanding
- Saying what they don't know rather than bluffing
Interviewer card · financeprep.uk
Candidate cards
Take one at random and prepare for two minutes
Spring insight week, investment banking
A large international bank with a busy London advisory team
Prepare in two minutes
- Why advisory work, in one sentence
- One example of working to a tight deadline
- A type of deal you'd like to learn about, and why
Remember: First years aren't expected to know technicals in depth, but curiosity shows
Candidate card · financeprep.uk
Summer internship, sales and trading
A global bank with a large London trading floor
Prepare in two minutes
- Why markets rather than advisory
- One recent move in interest rates or currencies and a reason for it
- An example of making a quick decision with incomplete information
Remember: Short, direct answers suit a markets interview
Candidate card · financeprep.uk
Summer internship, asset management
A UK fund manager looking after pensions and savings
Prepare in two minutes
- Why managing clients' money appeals to you
- A company or sector you find interesting, and one risk to it
- An example of research you did thoroughly
Remember: Show you think about long-term clients, not just short-term trades
Candidate card · financeprep.uk
Graduate programme, audit and assurance
A large professional services firm with offices across the UK
Prepare in two minutes
- Why audit, and what you understand about the work
- How you'd balance professional exams with a full-time job
- An example of spotting a mistake others missed
Remember: Accuracy, integrity and client service matter more than deal excitement here
Candidate card · financeprep.uk
Off-cycle internship, risk
A mid-sized bank that lends to UK businesses
Prepare in two minutes
- Why risk, and how it helps the bank
- What could make a business struggle to repay a loan
- An example of raising a concern when it was awkward
Remember: Good risk candidates are curious and calm, not just cautious
Candidate card · financeprep.uk
Insight programme, wealth management
A private bank advising families and business owners
Prepare in two minutes
- Why client-facing work suits you
- How you'd explain a simple investment idea to someone new to investing
- An example of building trust with someone over time
Remember: Listening well is part of the answer, so check you understood the question
Candidate card · financeprep.uk
Scoring rubric
Score each row from 1 to 4, for a total out of 20
| Criterion | 1 Not yet | 2 Developing | 3 Good | 4 Strong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Hard to follow, with no clear point | A point emerges but the answer wanders | A clear beginning, middle and end | Signposted, concise and easy to follow |
| Evidence | Claims with no example | An example with little detail | A specific example with their own actions | Specific actions and a measurable result |
| Motivation | Generic, or only about pay and prestige | Some reasons but few specifics | Specific reasons for this division | Specific, researched and tied to their own experience |
| Commercial understanding | Inaccurate or missing | Accurate but surface level | Explains why it matters | Explains the impact and weighs up both sides |
| Delivery | Hard to follow, or read out from notes | Understandable, but the main points get lost | Clear, at a pace the listener can follow | Clear, engaging and easy to listen to |
Score sheet
One per candidate, filled in by the observer
| Criterion | Score | What worked | One thing to try |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | |||
| Evidence | |||
| Motivation | |||
| Commercial understanding | |||
| Delivery | |||
| Total | / 20 |