Getting hired at a prestigious financial services firm like John Hancock requires rigorous preparation and being able to wow interviewers with your knowledge, skills and attitude. With over 150 years of experience in insurance, investments and wealth management John Hancock only hires the best of the best.

I looked at dozens of interviews and talked to people who work at John Hancock to make this list of the 10 most common interview questions, along with advice on how to write great answers.

1. “Walk me through your resume”

In any interview, this is one of the questions that people ask the most, so make sure you have a strong summary of your background ready. Pay attention to the things that make you a great fit for the job and give enough information to start a conversation. Talk about specific deal experience, technical skills, leadership roles, or other impressive achievements that will catch the interviewer’s attention.

Structure your walkthrough around 3 key areas

• Educational Background: Give a short summary of your academic background and any relevant coursework or special programs.

• Work experience – Touch on each role and the transferable skills gained, with extra emphasis on finance internships or related fields

• Leadership and activities – Share involvement in extracurriculars, volunteer work or hobbies that demonstrate desirable soft skills.

2. “Why do you want to work at John Hancock?”

Hiring managers want to gauge your passion for their company. Show you’ve done your research by highlighting specific things that excite you about their business, culture and values. Mention:

• Industry leadership in life insurance and asset management
• Focus on innovation, from early adoption of biometrics to robo-advising capabilities
• Strong corporate social responsibility, such as their climate change investments
• Opportunities for advancement within an expanding global financial group

Focus your answer on how John Hancock is a great fit with your own skills, interests and aspirations.

3. “What do you know about our company?”

While you won’t be expected to be an expert on this 162+ year old company, you should come armed with general knowledge and key facts. Brush up on:

• History and heritage dating back to the American Revolution
• Subsidiary of Canada’s Manulife Financial, one of the world’s largest insurers
• Leading positions in life insurance, investments, pensions and employee benefits
• Iconic Boston headquarters plus major presence across the U.S. and Asia
• Recent awards and recognitions, such as World’s Most Ethical Companies

Work these high-level facts into your response to demonstrate you understand John Hancock’s place within the financial industry.

4. “How does this position fit into your career goals?”

Tie the job you’re applying for to your broader aspirations. Explain how this role is the logical next step to advance your young career in finance. Ways to do this include:

• Citing specific hard and soft skills you’ll gain from the job
• Discussing how it aligns with your areas of interest and strengths
• Describing the opportunities it provides to expand your industry knowledge
• Noting how it offers exposure to senior executives and networking

Convey your career plan and how this position gets you closer to where you want to be long-term.

5. “Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.”

Leadership ability is hugely valued at John Hancock across all roles. Reflect on experiences that showcased these traits:

• Initiative in starting a new project or driving change
• Motivating and inspiring peers towards a shared goal
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Decision-making and judgment calls

Pick an example that shines based on the competencies required for the specific position. Use the STAR method – explain the Situation, Task, Actions taken and Results achieved.

6. “How do you prioritize when working on multiple projects?”

Time management and organizational abilities are key for succeeding in the fast-paced financial field. Outline your personal system for staying on top of different assignments and competing priorities. Ways to tackle this include:

• Maintaining a daily task list and calendar to track deadlines
• Regularly communicating with managers on current workload and capacity
• Blocking off dedicated time for heads-down project work
• Leveraging tools like Excel or project management software
• Being proactive about adjusting schedules or requesting help early if over capacity

Emphasize that you’re skilled at balancing multiple projects simultaneously and accomplishing top priorities first.

7. “Describe a time you faced a conflict at work. How did you handle it?”

Hiring managers want to know how you navigate workplace challenges and personality clashes. Diffuse the situation in your example by discussing how you:

• Remained professional and open-minded
• Listened to the other person’s perspective
• Found common ground or a compromise
• Addressed things privately to avoid escalating tensions
• Focused on resolving the dispute rather than assigning blame

Share how the experience made you a better team member and leader.

8. “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

This classic question tests your self-awareness – pick strengths aligned to the competencies needed for success in the role while framing your weaknesses positively.

Good strengths include:

• Strong analytical skills
• Proficiency in financial modeling and Excel
• Tenacious work ethic and attention to detail
• Ability to take complex concepts and simplify them
• Effective communicator across all levels

When discussing weaknesses, point out:

• Areas you have already improved on with training or mentoring
• How you’ve learned to seek help when needed to complement your weaker areas
• Positive steps taken to continue strengthening a skill, like public speaking or data analysis

Strike the right balance – you want to demonstrate capability but also self-awareness and desire to continuously grow.

9. “Why should we hire you over other candidates?”

This questions tests your persuasiveness and confidence. Summarize your value proposition:

• Passion for finance demonstrated through your academic focus and extracurriculars
• Strong technical grounding based on coursework, projects and internship experiences
• Soft skills honed through activities like sports, music or volunteering
• Genuine interest in John Hancock’s mission and strategic direction
• Willingness to work hard, take on challenges and keep learning on the job

Convince the interviewer that your blend of hard and soft skills makes you a uniquely strong fit.

10. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Hiring managers want people with drive and upward potential. Convey your ambition by saying where you hope to be in 5 years:

• Gained broad experience across key areas of John Hancock like investments, underwriting and client advisory
• Developed specialized expertise in a particular field of interest like portfolio modeling or risk analysis
• Working towards an advanced degree like a CFA on nights and weekends
• Managing a small team or task force, or possibly being promoted to a junior leadership role
• Participating in John Hancock’s global mobility program for an overseas assignment

Avoid anything too specific or guaranteed, which may sound presumptuous. The key is showing you are focused on advancing your skills and value to the organization long-term.

How to Prepare for the John Hancock Interview Process

Now that you know the most common questions asked, here are 5 tips to ace the full John Hancock interview process:

1. Thoroughly research the business – Study their website, latest annual report, press releases and news mentions so you understand their core operations, competitive positioning, challenges and strategic priorities.

2. Review sample technical questions – Expect to be tested on your financial modeling, accounting, valuation and market knowledge. Practice sample P&L, DCF, LBO and technical aptitude questions.

3. Prepare stock pitches – Some groups will ask you to present pitches or recommendations for stocks, funds or insurance products. Develop a structured pitch methodology you can apply.

4. Rehearse your answers – Do numerous mock interviews to polish your STAR stories, elevator pitch and responses to behavioral questions. Get feedback on your body language and presentation skills.

5. Ask insightful questions – The interviews are a two-way street – come ready with thoughtful questions that show your curiosity and engagement.

With rigorous preparation, you can feel confident tackling John Hancock’s selective hiring process and landing a coveted offer. Do your homework and keep these tips in mind to have a big advantage over the competition. Good luck!