The Real Reasons Some Finance Professionals Struggle in Interviews
Some of the most technically capable finance professionals walk out of interviews wondering what went wrong. They have the qualifications, the track record, and the expertise, yet they fail to secure the role. The assumption is often that another candidate was simply "better". In reality, that’s rarely the full story. Interview performance is a skill in itself, and success depends on far more than having an impressive CV. Understanding the real reasons why some interviews go off track can transform the way you approach your next opportunity.
Some Interviewers May Not Be as Skilled as You Think
The professionals interviewing you will almost certainly be highly intelligent and excellent at their primary jobs. However, they may not be skilled interviewers. Interviewing and getting the best from candidates is a skill that requires training and experience.
In fact, when I was a headhunter, I had a couple of clients who said they "knew" within the first couple of minutes whether a candidate was right for the role. It’s therefore important to gently guide the conversation towards ground that is useful for both you and the interviewer. This needs to be done without appearing to wrest control of the interview, because that can simply become annoying.
Lack of Proper Preparation
There are just a few things that need to be done. Remember, any job interview is, in our view, a golden opportunity, so doing everything you can to prepare is important. Consider the following:
Research. Understand as much as you can about the business and the person you’re going to meet. This may also include identifying people who have recently left the firm to gain an insider's perspective.
Anticipate likely questions. Think through your answers in advance. For example, be prepared to explain any career breaks, periods of redundancy, or your reasons for pursuing your chosen career path.
Practise your answers. Ideally, do this with a friend or colleague who is familiar with your field.
Prepare examples of your achievements. Be sure to explain the impact you had on the business and, as an added bonus, what you learned from the experience.
Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewer. It shows you are not only reflective, but that you’ve also done your research.
Not having a mindset of abundance and curiosity
You might agree that appearing desperate or needy is not particularly attractive. Instead, approach the interview with confidence in your ability to add significant value. Once you understand the scope of the role, you can begin to demonstrate how you’d address the business challenges the hiring firm faces.
Keep your critical thinking fully engaged and allow yourself to ask questions that help you determine whether the role genuinely aligns with what you’re looking for in the next stage of your career.
Feeling relaxed, confident, and curious gives you the headspace to perform at your very best.
No emotional engagement
There are two things worth mentioning here:
First, your ability to establish rapport and build a genuine connection with the interviewer.
Second, when giving examples from your experience, aim to create emotional engagement. Help the interviewer picture you solving their business problems by making your examples vivid, relevant, and outcome-focused.
Defining 'winning' in a disempowering way
One final mindset shift worth considering is how you define interview success.
In our view, you’re not there simply to get the job. After all, it may not be the right opportunity for you. You also need to carry out your own due diligence, and you may genuinely not be the best fit for what the employer needs.
Instead, define success as understanding what they are looking for and why, then clearly demonstrating how your skills and experience match those needs. Sometimes you may realise that you cannot honestly make that case, and that's perfectly okay.
A job interview is, in many ways, a conversation of discovery and exploration. Not every role you interview for will be the right one.
Conclusion
Interviewing is a skill that can be learned and improved through practice. Every interview you attend is a valuable learning opportunity. Your goal should simply be to get better with each one and to enjoy the new—and sometimes unexpected—challenges that arise along the way. If you have an interview lined up and would benefit from some guidance, let’s talk. Use this link to book a free, no-strings-attached 15 minute coaching call.