Being a teller at a bank or credit union sounds tough, but it comes with all sorts of benefits. Who doesn’t love stable employment, 401(k) matching, and bank holidays off?
No two banks ask exactly the same interview questions, but we’ve rounded up some common ones that you’re likely to receive, all from people who experienced them firsthand.
When preparing for a bank teller job interview, it’s important to emphasize customer service skills, rule- and policy-following, attentiveness, carefulness, and a good understanding of technology.
1) “Tell me about yourself/Run me through your resume.”
You’ll be hard-pressed to participate in a job interview that doesn’t contain this question. Answer it with a brief summary of your previous jobs and what you did there.
When you explain what you did in your previous positions, make sure to emphasize duties that were related to bank telling, such as customer service, good communication skills, and being good with technology (this one is especially important because bank tellers use several different software applications every day!).
2) "What’s your biggest weakness?"
Employers like honesty, especially when it’s the positive kind. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth, but mention that you’re working on this weakness or spin it to sound like it’s also a positive. We don’t recommend generic answers, such as “I’m a perfectionist,” as they’re overused and your interviewer is unlikely to believe them.
3) "What’s your greatest strength?"
Emphasize something relevant to the job, especially if it makes you sound like you’re hardworking, take initiative, or good at customer service. Don’t talk about personality traits (like being friendly — this won’t reflect how well you work) or things that are too out-there (such as being assertive or a workaholic).
4) "Name someone you admire/look up to."
This bank teller interview question is so open-ended that you can name nearly anyone. To really stand out, name someone unexpected, preferably a lesser-known person who made a big difference in the world or a very accomplished family member. Avoid controversial figures, like Elon Musk or any other politician, and don’t mention people who you like just because you’re close to them or hold sentiment towards them.
You might love your parents and grandparents, but don’t talk about them for this interview question unless there's something broadly admirable about them, like overcoming great adversity or starting a successful business.
5) "How do you deal with irate customers?/Tell me about a time you dealt with an irate customer."
This interview question has far fewer stakes than you think. Don’t make up a fake scenario — just be honest! A simple example, like offering a gift card to a customer who tried to return something past the due date, is not only perfectly fine but expected. Banks are looking for people who can resolve customer conflicts quickly, politely, and, if possible, quietly.
If you’re one of the few lucky people who has never experienced this, think of a scenario where a customer asked you for help and twist it a bit or leave out that they weren’t angry. Something like “A customer was desperately searching for a frying pan so I directed her to the correct aisle and offered to help her look for it” is still a good answer.
Takeaways
Like every job interview, the best approach is to be polished, well-dressed, and friendly. Instead of stressing, prepare to the best of your ability and focus on being the best candidate you can be.
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