Practice ING Interview Questions
ING interviews reward people who can speak fluently about markets, structure their thinking under time pressure, and articulate a specific, well-reasoned answer to "why us?" Preparation makes the difference at every stage.
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How ING interviews work
Most programmes begin with numerical reasoning, situational judgement, or verbal reasoning tests. Score above the cut-off or your application goes no further, regardless of your CV.
A recorded behavioral interview — typically 3–4 questions with strict time limits. Candidates who ramble or go blank rarely progress. Preparation and on-camera confidence are both assessed.
A full-day event including group exercises, written case studies, individual presentations, and competency interviews. Every element contributes to your overall rating.
What ING looks for
Each competency below is actively assessed across multiple stages of the ING interview process.
Working effectively across diverse teams — especially in high-pressure or fast-moving environments.
Sustained effort and composure when facing setbacks, competing deadlines, or high-pressure situations.
Delivering structured, confident responses in timed, high-stakes interview conditions.
Ability to break down complex problems, interpret data accurately, and draw well-reasoned conclusions.
A specific, well-reasoned explanation for choosing this firm over its closest competitors.
Maintaining accuracy and rigour in analysis, even when working at speed or under time pressure.
Common ING interview questions
These represent the types of questions you'll face at ING. ScreenReady generates realistic variations of these for each mock session.
- "Give me an example of when you contributed significantly to a team's success."
- "Describe a time you received critical feedback. How did you respond and what changed?"
- "Tell me about a project where you had to influence outcomes without direct authority."
- "What do you think is the most important macro theme affecting financial markets right now, and why?"
- "Describe a situation where you had to challenge conventional thinking or the status quo."
- "What skills or experiences make you particularly suited to this role at this firm?"
- "How do you keep up with financial news and market developments?"
- "Give me an example of when you persuaded someone who initially disagreed with you."
- "Tell me about a situation where you worked effectively under significant time pressure."
- "Walk me through your CV and explain why you're applying to ING specifically."
Tips for your ING interview
Firms that have recently announced strategic shifts, strong earnings, or significant hires appreciate candidates who arrive informed. A single specific reference — a recent mandate, a published view, a structural change — can set you apart.
Situation, Task, Action, Result — in that order. Miss any element and your answer appears vague. Pad the situation beyond what's needed and you're wasting your time limit. Lead into each element cleanly.
Have one macro or sector topic you can speak intelligently about: the current interest rate environment, a significant recent deal, or a sector under structural change. Rehearse it conversationally, not as a recitation.
Every line of your CV is potential interview material. Be ready to expand on any achievement, explain any gap, and quantify any impact. Inconsistencies between your written and spoken accounts damage credibility quickly.
Finance interviewers connect behavioral answers to commercial judgement. Where possible, show you understand the business context behind the situation you're describing — not just the interpersonal dynamics.
The failure question tests self-awareness, not whether you failed. Choose a real setback, explain the context honestly, and focus most of the narrative on what you learned and what you changed as a result.
What a strong answer looks like
A well-structured STAR answer for a common ING interview question, showing exactly how to frame situation, task, action, and result.
Tell me about a time you worked under significant pressure and still delivered strong results.
In my penultimate year at university, I was simultaneously preparing for final exams, leading a four-person team in a national investment banking case competition, and working part-time.
Our team had 72 hours to build a complete pitch book for a simulated M&A transaction — including financial modelling, industry analysis, and a full presentation — with no templates and limited public data.
I allocated responsibilities by skill: two on financial modelling, one on industry research, one on the deck. I set internal deadlines six hours ahead of submission to allow a full quality check, built the DCF and LBO models myself, and coordinated across all workstreams as issues arose.
We placed second nationally out of 34 teams. The judging panel specifically cited the rigour of our valuation and clarity of our recommendation. I passed my final exams the following week with a first-class result in every module.
Frequently asked questions
What technical knowledge do I need for a finance interview?
For front-office roles, expect questions on valuation basics (DCF, comparable company analysis), financial statements, and current market themes. For technology or operations roles, the interview is typically behavioral with limited finance theory required.
When will I hear back after the interview?
After a HireVue, expect 2–4 weeks. After a Superday, decisions are sometimes made the same day but often take 1–2 weeks. If you haven't heard within the recruiter's stated timeline, follow up politely by email.
How long does the ING interview process take?
Typically 4–8 weeks from application close to offer. Some programmes move faster. The HireVue is usually completed within 5–7 days of invitation, and Superday or assessment centre dates may be several weeks later.
How competitive is the ING application process?
Finance recruiting at leading firms is extremely competitive. Most bulge-bracket and elite boutique programmes receive far more applications than they have places. Each stage is designed to filter candidates — the HireVue alone eliminates a large majority of applicants.
What does ING look for in candidates?
Across most finance roles, firms assess commercial awareness (knowledge of markets and the firm's business), analytical ability, communication quality, and genuine motivation. The "Why us?" question is taken seriously — generic answers routinely eliminate candidates with strong CVs.
Ready to practice?
Practice your ING HireVue answers on camera, timed, with AI scoring on structure and delivery. ScreenReady replicates the exact conditions of the assessment — free to try.
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