Citi Behavioural Q's

Citi Behavioural Interview Questions

A comprehensive guide to the most frequently asked behavioural questions in Citi investment banking interviews.

Q1 What are your goals for the next five and ten years?

HOW TO ANSWER

• 5−Year Goal: Master analyst/associate skills, contribute to deals, build expertise within the firm.
• 10−Year Goal: Progress to VP/Director, lead deal teams, develop client relationships, potentially specialize.
• Reinforce commitment to a long-term banking career path.

Q2 Tell me about a time your team faced adversity and your role in solving it.

HOW TO ANSWER

• Situation: Briefly describe the team and project context.
• Adversity: Clearly state the challenge the team faced (e.g., unexpected obstacle, data issue, tight deadline).
• Action: Detail the specific steps you took to address the adversity (e.g., proposed solution, took initiative, researched alternatives, reallocated tasks).
• Result: Explain how your actions contributed to overcoming the adversity and the positive outcome for the team.

Q3 What skills does an analyst need?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Technical/Analytical: Financial modeling, valuation, quantitative skills.
• Work Ethic/Execution: Attention to detail, resilience, time management, organization.
• Soft Skills: Communication (written/verbal), teamwork, proactivity, coachability.

Q4 Tell me about a time you persevered through an obstacle.

HOW TO ANSWER

• Situation: Describe the context and the specific task or goal.
• Obstacle: Clearly define the difficulty encountered (e.g., steep learning curve, lack of resources, unexpected setback).
• Action: Detail the persistent steps you took to overcome it (e.g., sought help, dedicated extra time, broke down the problem, tried different approaches).
• Result: State the positive outcome achieved through your perseverance and any lessons learned.

Q5 Tell me about a time you had a really bad experience working on a team. What did you do?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Situation: Briefly describe the team and project.
• Bad Experience: Explain the specific issue (e.g., poor communication, lack of contribution, conflict).
• Action: Detail your steps - attempt direct/private communication first, then focus on pragmatic solutions (redistribute work, document issues, inform supervisor factually if necessary).
• Result: Explain how the project concluded and emphasize your focus on professionalism and achieving the team's goal despite difficulties.

Q6 What's a trend you think is cool?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Identify a specific trend (e.g., Generative AI, sustainable investing, rise of creator economy).
• Explain what makes it interesting or 'cool' to you personally.
• Briefly discuss its potential impact or significance (business, social, etc.).
• Show genuine curiosity and ability to articulate thoughts on current events.

Q7 What do you think will be the three biggest challenges that you'll face if you were to be part of Citi?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Challenge 1: Steep Learning Curve (technical skills, products, processes).
• Challenge 2: Managing Intensity and Workload (long hours, pressure, accuracy).
• Challenge 3: Navigating a Large Organization (understanding structure, building network, leveraging resources).
• Frame these as anticipated aspects you are prepared to tackle proactively.

Q8 What do you think you will be able to transfer from your previous work experiences to Citi?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Skill 1: Analytical Rigor (Example from your experience - banking analysis).
• Skill 2: Attention to Detail (Example from your experience - error-free work).
• Skill 3: Teamwork/Collaboration (Example from your experience - team environment).
• Skill 4: Proactive Learning/Adaptability (Example from your experience - steep learning curve).
• Skill 5: Work Ethic/Time Management (Example from your experience - demanding role).
• Express confidence these skills enable quick contribution at Citi.

Q9 Pick one bullet point from your resume and tell me about it. Explain why you chose that particular one.

HOW TO ANSWER

• Select a bullet point that showcases a significant accomplishment with quantifiable results, directly relevant to the skills required in banking (e.g., analysis, initiative, impact).
• Use the STAR method to structure your response: Describe the Situation, the Task you were assigned, the specific Action you took, and the positive Result of your work.
• Clearly articulate your individual contribution and the thought process behind your actions.
• Explain why you chose this bullet: It might demonstrate analytical abilities, highlight your proactive approach, or represent a pivotal learning experience that solidified your interest in finance.

Q10 Imagine I told you that we have already hired someone for this role and our conversation today is just a courtesy. How would you proceed with the rest of this interview?

HOW TO ANSWER

• First, express your appreciation for their time and transparency, and firmly state your desire to continue the conversation.
• Frame the interview as a valuable opportunity regardless of the outcome: a chance for you to learn more about the firm and for them to know you for potential future opportunities.
• Demonstrate your genuine interest and preparation by proactively shifting the conversation: 'In that case, I'd love to discuss a recent deal of yours that I was following...'
• This approach showcases resilience, professionalism, and a deep interest in the firm itself, not just the immediate job opening.

Q11 Who would write your biography?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Choose an author whose work you genuinely admire and whose style reflects qualities you value.
• Explain your choice. For example, you might choose Walter Isaacson for his ability to detail how innovation and personality intersect, or Michael Lewis for his skill in making complex financial topics engaging and character-driven.
• Briefly connect the author's style or focus to an aspect of your own story or ambition you'd want highlighted, showing thoughtfulness and self-awareness.

Q12 In 20 years, investment banking no longer exists. What do you do with your career?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Your answer should connect to the core skills and interests that attract you to banking in the first place.
• One path is corporate strategy or corporate development at a company in an industry you are passionate about, applying similar analytical and strategic skills to help a single business grow.
• Another path could be on the buy-side, such as venture capital or private equity, focusing on identifying and investing in promising companies.
• This shows that your interest is rooted in strategic finance and business analysis, not just the title of 'investment banker.'

Q13 What is the riskiest thing you have ever done?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Focus on a calculated risk (professional, academic, or a significant personal project) rather than a reckless one.
• Use the STAR method: Describe the situation and why a risk was necessary.
• Explain your thought process, how you weighed the potential upside and downside, and what steps you took to mitigate the risk.
• Conclude with the outcome and, most importantly, what you learned from the experience.

Q14 Which actor or actress would play you in a movie about your life, and why?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Choose an actor/actress known for portraying specific, positive traits.
• Explain your choice by linking their on-screen persona or notable roles to 1−2 professional qualities you possess (e.g., resilience, analytical thinking, integrity).
• Keep the explanation brief and focused on the 'why,' demonstrating self-awareness and creativity.

Q15 Tell me about how you handled client interactions in your last job. What were your roles and responsibilities?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Situation: Briefly describe your previous role and its client-facing responsibilities.
• Task: Outline a specific situation where you were tasked with managing a client request or relationship.
• Action: Detail the steps you took, emphasizing active listening, managing expectations, clear communication, and delivering a solution.
• Result: Explain the positive outcome for the client and your firm, reinforcing your ability to build and maintain client relationships.

Q16 If you are in a situation where your client wants something but your VP/MD disagrees with your approach of delivering the solution, what would you do?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Prioritize Internal Alignment: First, seek to understand the VP/MD's perspective. Ask clarifying questions to grasp their concerns, objectives, and reasoning.
• Present Your Rationale: If you still believe in your approach, respectfully present your viewpoint, supported by data or logic. Acknowledge their perspective while explaining yours.
• Accept the Final Decision: Ultimately, the VP/MD has final say due to their experience. Once a decision is made, commit to it fully and without reservation.
• Present a Unified Front: Approach the client with the agreed-upon solution. It is critical to present a cohesive and unified message externally.

Q17 What do you include in a pitchbook and how do you go about making one on the first day of your internship?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Bank/Team Introduction and Credentials.
• Executive Summary and Situation Analysis.
• Valuation Analysis (e.g., Comps, Precedents, DCF).
• Strategic Alternatives / Recommendation.
• Appendix with supporting data.
• Seek Guidance: Immediately ask the Associate for clear instructions and, most importantly, for a recent, relevant precedent or template to follow.

Q18 An MD drops off a CIM, needs a valuation, and says it is due the next day, but they are going to be in the air and unreachable. What do you do?

HOW TO ANSWER

• Clarify Before Departure: Use the few moments before the MD is unreachable to ask critical questions: 'What type of valuation is expected? Are there any key assumptions I should be aware of?'
• Review and Strategize: Thoroughly read the CIM to understand the business. Identify a preliminary list of comparable companies and precedent transactions.
• Leverage Internal Resources: Search the firm's drive for valuation models of similar companies. Ask an Associate or another analyst if they have a relevant template you can use.
• Execute and Document: Begin building the valuation. Clearly document all assumptions you make (e.g., growth rates, margins, discount rate). This is crucial.
• Prepare for Review: Aim to have a well-structured, fully functional model ready for when the MD is available. Have your list of assumptions ready to discuss.