An interviewer will ask this question in the hope that you had not considered that you would be asked about something that you had not already offered up. They will want to see what you come up with on the spot.

You may initially assume that your answer must include some kind of personal anecdote or accomplishment. If you have a great one prepared, you can use that. But you could also use this chance to gush about your familiarity and passion for BLK.

Sample answer:

“I love that Blackrock is clearly passionate about inclusion as part of their value base. I know that my education makes me a fit for the role, but even more so, I feel that my values align with Blackrock’s, making me a uniquely great fit.”

BLK believes strongly in its core principles. As you research their company, you will see references to these values, perhaps more often than you see the attention to values in other organizations.

As such, make sure you are aware of these values going into your interviews. Being able to speak passionately about these values will help the interviewer see that you are well-prepared to be a great fit at Blackrock.

Sample answer:

“Blackrock believes that their clients come first, that they are ‘one Blackrock,’ they are passionate about performance, they take emotional ownership, and are committed to a better future. These are the Blackrock principles.”

This question may or may not come after you are asked the previous question. As such, the interviewer will be testing again whether or not you are aware of the organization’s principles. As you answer this question, choose a couple of the values and give an example.

Sample answer:

“One of the ways my experiences have shown that I take emotional ownership and am committed to a better future is that I began a club at my school that sought to minimize the waste the school produced. My club was able to create responsible food packaging on campus.”

As you have studied leveraged buyouts and the history of the biggest ones, you may have an idea of how to respond to this answer already. You can prove your answer by offering a couple of reasons for your skeptical choice.

Sample answer:

“Airlines may make a bad LBO candidate. This is because they have high capital expenditures to maintain their assets. Additionally, they are an asset-heavy business, which makes it difficult for them to grow.”

As continuously referenced already, BLK will want to make sure that you are a fit with their culture, which favors a disdain for egotism and haughtiness. As you answer this question, values will be a great thing to point to.

Sample answer:

“I love that BLK wants to make an inclusive organization within high finance. I would like to be a part of an organization that believes in operating with such a value base, as I am a person who does that same thing.” 

This question will tap into your fundamental financial understanding. Breaking down the formula should be enough to prove to your interviewer that you know what is going on here.

Sample answer:

“Net Asset Value, or NAV, is found by dividing the total value of all the cash and securities in a fund portfolio, minus any liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares.”

If hired at BLK, you will definitely be working with diverse teams. They would like to know that you have experience working well with diverse teams. A positive result from working with a diverse team would also be a great thing to share.

Sample answer:

“When I was participating in a club in college, we were trying to organize a charity outreach in a certain country. We were lucky enough that one of our club members grew up in this country, and we gained invaluable insight from them. It helped us organize a better outreach.”

An interviewer will want to know that you are able to collaborate and accept guidance without checking out or becoming ineffective. Prepare an answer that addresses the question directly, and be sure to add how you have become better as a result.

Sample answer:

“When I was part of a club in college, I had a member who told me that I had poor listening skills. This is something I had never considered before. At first, I was surprised and a little dismissive, but as I considered the constructive criticism more, I realized it was true.

I decided to work on being a better listener. I took a course online about interpersonal skills and learned about listening fully, not thinking about a response right away. I learned about repeating thoughts back and about validating feelings. It has made me better in every facet of life.”

This is a common kind of behavioral question that you may run into. Like other behavioral questions, using the STAR method is an effective way to answer convincingly and clearly.

Sample answer:

“I make sure that I listen and validate the other person's thoughts. I think, even if I know I have the right answer, I need to show that I understand and respect what has been said.

As a student in a club, I disagreed with a suggested idea by another club member, and frankly, I knew that my option would be faster and better. They were obviously miffed about their idea not being given apt attention.

I decided to take them to lunch and ask them what their idea was and why they felt so strongly. I praised the thought they had put into it and highlighted some of the things I thought were especially ingenious. Then I was able to explain my plan to them from a kinder place.”

This question is like other foundational financial questions, where you will be assessed on basic understanding and ability to apply it dynamically.

Sample answer:

“An ETF allows you to buy and sell full shares based upon market price. A mutual fund, on the other hand, allows you to buy and sell based upon dollars and specific amounts down to the cent.”

Mentioning an adherence to values is helpful here. Avoiding traditional finance tropes is also a good thing to do. Applicants also mentioned how they talked about BLK's focus on technology.

Sample answer:

“One of the major things that I think you do differently is operating with a nonchalance toward the sort of arrogant financial stereotypes. This is something I appreciate in addition to your values. BLK also focuses on investing in technology in a unique approach.”

With such a personal question, it is good to have something that you are prepared to discuss and draw lessons from. Use the STAR method as you answer it to be most effective.

Sample answer:

“The most difficult thing I have done is probably when I had to go away on an internship while my family was going through a difficult time. I knew that the internship would be the best thing for us all in the long run, but it was very difficult not to be close by.

I chose to leave anyway and did my best to lock into my work that Summer. My family ended up being very grateful for this choice, and it provided me with invaluable experience that I know will be crucial in my finding a job.”