Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult situation at work and how you handled it.
2. Describe a project you are proud of and your role in it.
3. How do you stay motivated and focused when working on complex or challenging tasks?
4. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to use your creativity to solve a problem?
5. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult coworker or client? How did you handle the situation?
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate for this position?
7. Why do you want to work at Franklin Resources?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a structured method for answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here’s how to use it:

– Situation: Briefly describe the situation or challenge you faced.
– Task: Explain your specific role or responsibilities in that situation.
– Action: Detail the specific actions you took to address the challenge.
– Result: Describe the positive outcomes or achievements resulting from your actions.

Using the STAR framework demonstrates your ability to provide clear and concise examples of your skills and experiences. It helps hiring managers understand how you think critically, solve problems, and contribute to a team’s success.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult situation at work and how you handled it.

Answer:

*Situation:* During a busy season at my previous job, I was assigned a large project with a tight deadline. The project involved coordinating with multiple teams and managing a complex workflow.

*Task:* As the project lead, I had to ensure effective communication, clear delegation of tasks, and timely completion of deliverables.

*Action:* I created a detailed project plan, assigned tasks based on team members’ strengths, and held regular team meetings to monitor progress. I also communicated pro-actively with stakeholders to manage expectations and address any issues promptly.

*Result:* The project was completed on time and within budget. The successful execution of the project strengthened my relationships with team members and stakeholders and demonstrated my ability to lead and manage complex projects efficiently.

Why it’s strong: This answer effectively uses the STAR framework by providing a clear description of the situation, my role and responsibilities, the actions I took, and the positive outcomes achieved. It highlights my project management skills, leadership abilities, and ability to work effectively under pressure.

2. Describe a project you are proud of and your role in it.

Answer:

*Situation:* I was part of a team tasked with developing a new marketing campaign for a major product launch. The campaign aimed to increase brand awareness and generate leads.

*Task:* As a creative lead, I was responsible for conceptualizing and designing the campaign visuals, including logos, graphics, and promotional materials.

*Action:* I conducted extensive market research to understand the target audience’s preferences and conducted brainstorming sessions with the team to generate creative ideas. I then developed and presented multiple design concepts to the marketing team and received feedback. After several iterations, we finalized the campaign visuals and launched the campaign on schedule.

*Result:* The marketing campaign was a huge success, leading to a significant increase in brand awareness and a surge in leads. My contribution to the campaign’s success was recognized by the marketing team, and I received a promotion shortly after.

Why it’s strong: This answer clearly demonstrates my creativity, design skills, and ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team. It also highlights my attention to detail, my willingness to receive feedback, and my ability to deliver high-quality work that contributes to the company’s success.

3. How do you stay motivated and focused when working on complex or challenging tasks?

Answer:

*Situation:* In my previous role, I was assigned a complex project that required extensive research, analysis, and problem-solving. The project involved multiple stakeholders and had a tight deadline.

*Task:* As the lead researcher, I had to gather and analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns and trends, and develop actionable insights. I also had to present my findings to senior management and receive feedback.

*Action:* I broke down the project into smaller, manageable tasks and created a detailed timeline. I set daily goals for myself and stayed focused on completing each task on time. I also sought feedback from my team members and mentors throughout the process to ensure I was on the right track.

*Result:* I successfully completed the project on time and within budget. My analysis and insights were well-received by senior management, and the project’s recommendations were implemented, leading to improved decision-making and better outcomes for the company.

Why it’s strong: This answer effectively highlights my ability to stay motivated and focused even when faced with complex and challenging tasks. It demonstrates my time management skills, my ability to break down large projects into smaller steps, and my willingness to seek feedback and support from others.

4. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to use your creativity to solve a problem?

Answer:

*Situation:* During a product launch, a technical glitch caused the website to crash, resulting in lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.

*Task:* As the IT manager, I had to quickly diagnose and resolve the issue to minimize downtime and restore customer confidence.

*Action:* I immediately assembled a team of engineers and conducted a thorough investigation to identify the root cause of the problem. We brainstormed creative solutions and implemented a temporary fix to restore website functionality. We then worked around the clock to develop a permanent solution and ensure the issue did not recur.

*Result:* We were able to resolve the issue within a few hours and the website was fully functional again. The quick response and creative problem-solving prevented further losses and maintained customer satisfaction.

Why it’s strong: This answer clearly demonstrates my creativity, problem-solving skills, and my ability to lead a team effectively in a crisis situation. It also highlights my technical expertise and my commitment to resolving customer issues promptly.

5. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult coworker or client? How did you handle the situation?

Answer:

*Situation:* In my previous role, I had a coworker who was consistently negative and disruptive to the team’s dynamics. Their behavior was affecting team morale and productivity.

*Task:* As a team lead, I had to address the situation and find a way to improve the team’s working environment.

*Action:* I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the coworker to discuss their behavior and its impact on the team. I approached the conversation with empathy and tried to understand their perspective. I also provided constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

*Result:* After the conversation, the coworker’s behavior improved significantly. They became more positive and engaged with the team, and the team’s overall dynamics and productivity improved as a result.

Why it’s strong: This answer demonstrates my ability to navigate difficult conversations, provide constructive feedback, and resolve conflicts effectively. It highlights my leadership skills, my ability to build rapport with others, and my commitment to creating a positive and productive work environment.

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate for this position?

Answer:

*Strengths:*

– Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
– Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team
– Creative and innovative thinking
– Attention to detail and commitment to quality

*Weaknesses:*

– Sometimes I can be a bit too detail-oriented and may need to learn to let go of perfection sometimes
– I am always eager to take on new challenges, which can sometimes lead to overcommitment

Why it’s strong: This answer provides a balanced assessment of my strengths and weaknesses as a candidate for the position. It highlights my key skills and abilities that are relevant to the role, while also acknowledging areas where I might need to improve. The answer is honest and authentic, and it demonstrates my self-awareness and willingness to learn and grow.

7. Why do you want to work at Franklin Resources?

Answer:

* I am attracted to Franklin Resources’ strong reputation for innovation and its commitment to delivering high-quality financial solutions to clients.
* I am impressed by the company’s focus on sustainability and its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
* I believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to Franklin Resources, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company’s continued success.

Why it’s strong: This answer expresses my genuine interest in Franklin Resources and my enthusiasm for the company’s mission and values. It highlights my alignment with the company’s goals and my belief that I can make a meaningful contribution to its success.