1. Please explain what didn't work in your last position?
Be honest here but you don't need to lay it all out either, for example if you and your boss didn't get along. Don't bash your former employer. It could be the culture, it could be there was little room for career progression, you didn't agree with the vision of the company say what it is, then move quickly to focusing on what you want instead.
2. Please tell me what is it about our company that appeals to you?
Don't be afraid to talk about their reputation “On the Street” and how you are a good fit. If they are viewed as aggressive for example, talk about how that fits with you, or the interest in where this culture can take the business. Avoid sugar coating your comments as the finance industry is too sophisticated to accept simplistic answers that don't represent a deeper understanding.
3. Explain about a time when you failed?
Be honest, give something that actually happened and is real. Choose something that is a failure but you were either able to salvage, fix or at the very least you've learned from. Focus on what you do now to prevent that failure in the future. With all of these questions, you need to prepare them in advance so you're not caught off guard, and you have a solid, confident answer for.
4. Why Should We Hire You at Western Union?
Summarize your experiences: “With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team.”
5. Tell me are the benefits affordable?
Benefits are competitively affordable.
6. Do you know western Union job application status?
I applied for a job at Western Union. Other than the confirmation email, I haven't heard from them for several weeks now. I also found out that the job listing at Western Union company website is gone and a slightly different job was posted. Does that mean the job was filled? Who I should contact? What I need to do? Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated.
7. Do you know western Union salary, bonus, benefit and other compensation?
What are the salary (or hourly pay, wage), bonus, benefits (medical, dental, life, etc) and retirement plan for Western Union employees? I would think it all depends on experience, job title, etc. What are the average or range for the compensation?
8. Tell us what are your weaknesses and what should you improve on?
You should never pretend you don't have any nor come up with a list like “I work too much.” Come up with a real weakness, like prioritization, time management perhaps – something that is real but also wouldn't jeopardized your ability to do the job and focus on what you do about it. I'm working on improving my time management for example, I use an online calendar and schedule my tasks inside that calendar and plan my week each Monday estimating time needed for each task and project.
9. Explain me what aspects of your previous jobs have you disliked?
This is similar to the tell us about your weaknesses question. You can't say you have none, and you can't say something fake like I work too hard. You need to be honest here with parameters: Prepare your answer so it comes across in a positive, productive way and not as bashing your former employer. Choose things that are about the job itself preferably, not your terrible boss, so you're focusing on things that don't come across as talking badly about people, which isn't necessary or helpful. Things like the lack of structure or process is an example of something you could say. Or the lack of direction for your department.
10. Explain me what Are Your Weaknesses regarding work at Western Union?
This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: “I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful.”
11. Do you know what are career development opportunities at Western Union?
I am interested in learning about what are the career development opportunities at Western Union - career choice, career path, performance review criteria and overall career development.
12. Tell me what benefits does the company provide?
Medical, Dental Vision, Life, 401K with company match, work life balance.
13. Please tell me about a risk you took in a job?
Tell how you used your relationships within the organization to gain support or shift the thinking. It could be a new idea for training, product development or sales. Show how you presented it then how you worked around those that found it negative. Explain how you have used this experience to further improve.
14. Tell us how do you like to work at Western Union?
If you are current or ex- Western Union employees, what's great about working at Western Union and what would you like to change in Western Union?
15. Explain me how do you feel about the future of Western Union?
It is a stable company.
16. Explain me what is the interview process like?
I met with some really nice people who gave me an interview that made me feel right home. It was quick and easy.
17. Please tell me when Were You Most Satisfied at Your Job?
The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. “I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me.”
18. Explain me what is the Western Union company culture?
Do you know what is a typical day of an employee working at Western Union? Are there strict dress code? Do people dressed in casual (jeans and t-shirts), business casual (shirts), or business (suits)? Do employees get together for happy hours?
19. Please tell me where do you see yourself in five years?
This question is asked less and less because five years is an eternity. In certain professions it is an easy question. “I want to be (name your title). More likely you will say you want to advance to a level to have even greater responsibility, influence and impact. Always make it sound like you will still be with them for those five years just at a higher level and possibly in a new venture with them.
20. Basic Western Union Job Interview Questions:
☛ At Western Union we offer many different financial services. Which aspect of financial services are you best versed in?
☛ At Western Union we put a lot of value in the education of our employees. If you could expand your knowledge in any financial service area, which would you choose?
☛ Talk to me about your post-secondary education and how you feel it will help you in a career with Western Union.
☛ When it comes to financial services, which focus do you find the most rewarding?
☛ How do you stay on top of new trends in the financial services industry?
☛ As a professional in the financial services industry, you must have great integrity. Do you consider yourself an honest and trustworthy person?
☛ Due to the sensitivity of our business, in order to work for Western Union, you must be able to pass a criminal background check. Are you willing to comply?
☛ At Western Union we put great pride in our customer service. How do you ensure that your clients are well taken care of?
☛ Every employee with Western Union is expected to be sales-minded and target driven. Walk me through your experience in sales based roles.
☛ Tell me about the largest financial portfolio you have been responsible for.
☛ Do you have experience in cold calling? If so, tell me about your targets and results.
☛ Aside from your post-secondary degree, what other financial services related training and certifications do you possess?
☛ Would you consider expanding your education to include an MBA? Why or why not?
☛ What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
☛ How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?
21. Professional Western Union Job Interview Questions:
☛ How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our team?
☛ How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?
☛ Describe to me a time when you made an error in your current or former position, and the impact your mistake made? How did you correct the error, what did you learn from it?
☛ How do you feel about performance incentives?
☛ Tell me about a time where you had to analyze information in order to make a recommendation.
☛ If you could alter your career path, in any way, what would you change?
☛ What leadership qualities do you possess?
☛ How can we motivate you on the job?
☛ Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?
☛ List the top 3 skills that you have acquired in your last role.
☛ Have you ever taken the fall for a situation, where it was really not your fault, in order to protect a coworker?
☛ What was the most difficult part about your training or education?
☛ Do you always double check or proofread your work?
☛ How often do you take work home with you?
☛ When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?
☛ When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
22. Please tell me why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: “I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me.”
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: “After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience.”
23. Please explain how much money do you make?
As in any negotiation the person who says the number first is at a disadvantage. You can try and say you are interested in the job and you are sure salary is fair and commensurate with industry levels. If pushed you say you are looking for a “total compensation package in the range of ___to____”. In some companies they will insist on a W2 form so don't lie about current salary.
Keep in mind they are not asking about you personally but you as a professional or business person. This is the time to name your strengths in a narrative way. “I am best known for my innovative and strategic approach to complex problems.” Then tell them how you came to this skillset by talking about your work experience and education. Always start with the present and work backwards.
Two minutes into the answer ask “shall I continue?” You do not want to eat up all of your interview time and lose the person's attention with a long-winded answer. Only at the end can you add something personally by saying “in my off hours I enjoy running and I coach a kids' track team.” Makes you human.
25. Tell us what negative things would co-workers say about you?
This is a tricky one. Always attribute the negatives to a few and not the entire group. “I guess some may think I can be too passionate and a bit defensive when it comes to a project I'm working on”. And maybe that's true from their perspective. In general I get along with my co-workers, clients and vendors. We don't always agree but we can work together to get the job done.”
