Job interviews in the fintech industry are a two-way conversation. While candidates often prepare answers for questions they expect to be asked, the questions you bring can make just as strong an impression. “Interviewing the interviewer” is a strategic way to determine if a role aligns with your goals and values, while also demonstrating curiosity and engagement—qualities fintech recruiters actively seek.
Why "Interviewing the Interviewer" Matters
Fintech recruiters stress that interviews are not only an assessment of your fit but also a chance for you to evaluate the company. By asking thoughtful, insightful questions, you show that you’re genuinely evaluating the position as carefully as they’re evaluating you. This approach highlights your proactive approach and provides valuable insights into the company’s culture, values, and expectations.
Preparing Insightful Questions
Create questions that dig into the aspects of the company that matter to you. Fintech recruiters often recommend questions that go beyond surface-level details to focus on team dynamics, growth opportunities, and company values. Here are a few examples:
“How does the team approach innovation and continuous learning within the fintech landscape?”
“What are the primary goals and challenges for the company in the next few years?”
These questions not only showcase your interest but also give you insight into whether the company supports your professional growth.
Timing Your Questions Strategically
An effective interview has a natural rhythm, and well-timed questions should enhance that flow. Listen carefully and use pauses or transitions to introduce your queries. Fintech recruiters advise holding back your more in-depth questions until later in the conversation; this allows you to build rapport first. When timed well, questions can deepen the conversation and show your attentiveness.
Building Rapport Through Engaging Questions
Your questions should not only express your interest in the role but also help build rapport with the interviewer. Mentioning recent company achievements or initiatives demonstrates that you’ve done your research and are interested in the company's progress. For example, you might say:
“I saw your team recently launched a new digital payment feature. How did the team collaborate on that project?”
These types of questions help you learn more about team dynamics and allow you to observe the interviewer’s enthusiasm, which can give you additional insights into the company’s work environment.
Interpreting the Interviewer’s Responses
Fintech recruiters encourage candidates to listen carefully to the interviewer’s responses, noting not only what they say but how they say it. Tone, body language, and specific word choices can reveal a great deal about the company’s work culture and management style. For instance, enthusiastic responses may indicate a positive work environment, while vagueness could suggest challenges. Paying attention to these cues can help you gauge whether the company aligns with your expectations.
Essential Questions to Ask Every Fintech Recruiter
Certain questions provide deeper insights into your role’s impact and how you might contribute to the company’s success. Consider questions such as:
“What are the current challenges the team is working to overcome?”
“How does this role contribute to the company’s long-term vision in fintech?”
These questions help you understand how you’ll fit into the organization and give recruiters a sense of your interest in the company's goals.
Mastering the art of "interviewing the interviewer" is essential for candidates who want to stand out to fintech recruiters as proactive and engaged. By asking meaningful questions, you demonstrate an authentic interest in finding a role that aligns with your skills and values. For additional interview strategies, check out Macs interview preparation guide and read more tips from The Balance Careers on making the most of your interview time.
To explore job opportunities, contact Dexterous. We specialize in fintech and payments recruitment and can help you navigate your next career move.