Japanese society has long been heavily dependent on cash. According to a report published by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, only 24% of all the transaction in Japan is done in cashless methods as of 2018, while the rate is typically 40 to 60% in other major countries.
COVID-19 has pushed for digitalisation in many aspects, and paying methods are no exception. A survey conducted in May by Money Forward, a provider of accounting apps and services, show that 40% of the respondents have used cashless payment more after the COVID-19 pandemic started. The main reasons include:
- Greater appeal for online shopping
- Cashless payment saves time, making their stay in stores shorter
- Discomfort in physically touching bills
Also, major banks have started to approve digital approval systems that replace the traditional method with a hanko (stamp).
With these movements, financial technology (fintech) is a burgeoning area in both IT and financial industries. If you are looking to break into this high-growth market in 2020, here are the top interview questions you can prepare to make a memorable impression on hiring managers.
1. What appeals to you about this fintech position?
Have you studied the job requirements of the role you are applying for? Do you know what the position demands?
Strong candidates will be able to match their existing abilities with the qualifications specified in the job description. What would give you that extra edge would be highlighting what interests you about the role that you have applied for, and how you are hoping to learn and grow from it.
For example, joining a fintech start-up can further develop your own entrepreneurial spirit. This is especially true if you are entering the company from the initial stages of starting up as you will get to experience first-hand how it develops.
2. What are your short-term goals for this fintech job? How do they match up with your long-term goals?
In the short-term, a fintech specialist will need to be able to stay on top of new trends in consumer behaviour. For example, managing finances on the move has become the norm for consumers and is an increasing driver of customer satisfaction.
In the long run, you will also need to be able to forecast what customers will need, and complement this with data insights gathered over a period of time.
A strong answer to this question will allow the hiring manager to gauge how realistic an understanding of the position a candidate has, as well as the research they have done on the firm. It is also a chance to learn about their planned career path.
3. In what type of work environment do you see yourself thrive in?
This question assesses whether a candidate will fit in your company’s culture. Depending on a candidate’s answer to this question, hiring managers will have a good idea on how their values and skills match up with the company’s motto and values.
The fintech market is a fast-paced and dynamic industry and has been since its inception. You will need to possess the ability to wear multiple hats and multitask effectively. Having a keen eye for detail, you will need to be analytical and agile to track issues and follow up in a timely manner.
4. What steps would you recommend we take to improve our business within fintech?
To assess how well a candidate has researched a company, you might be asked to address areas in need of improvement for them. This will reveal your industry knowledge in terms of the business, as well as tactfulness in terms of how you respond.
Fintech companies are always faced with challenges, from problematic payment infrastructure and managing mobile applications to ensure that they are performing up to speed, to cyber risks that are growing in size. Being able to take precautionary measures around these issues will enhance the sustainability of the company in the long run.
5. This position is a major step in your life. How have you prepared yourself?
This question is a chance for you to highlight your past experiences and prove their skills will transfer to their business. Fintech is a sector that is developing very quickly, and numerous jobs are created daily. With limitless opportunities for you to learn and re-learn, you can become much more versatile, and therefore so will your career options. Embrace change and be open to new opportunities if you are looking to make a break in the fintech space.
Still nervous about that interview?
Ultimately, there are no right or wrong answers to interview questions. If you’d like to understand more about interview processes in the fintech market, and what frameworks organisations are adopting, do contact us via our contact form, or follow us on our LinkedIn page for more career tips and industry-specific updates.
