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Many people applying for a position as a bank teller don’t realize that counting money is only one aspect of the job. Tellers also work with customers to help them solve complex problems, find the best products for their needs and make them feel valued.
As you prepare for your interview, one of the best things you can do is practice answering a variety of interview questions. While you can’t prepare an answer for every question you might encounter, getting comfortable with the main points you want to make about your skills and accomplishments will help you answer more confidently and clearly during a job interview.
In this article, you’ll find 20 sample interview questions and answers that you might have to answer when you’re interviewing for a bank teller position. You can use these as a starting point for your practice sessions.
Key Takeaways:
Bank teller candidates should highlight your customer service skills as well as your ability to handle large sums of cash in your interview answers to help show your experiences.
Interviewers should evaluate a candidate's skills by asking behavioral interview questions as well as be prepared to answer any questions that the candidate asks.
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Tell me about yourself
This is a common interview question that is often asked at the start of the interview. Be sure to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications in your answer.
Example Answer:
I have six years of experience working as a bank teller. During my time, I have gained experience in assisting customers with various banking inquiries, conducting transactions, and resolving issues efficiently.
I am a quick learner and I am able to adapt to new technologies. I am also a team player and work well in a collaborative work environment. I am dedicated with providing customers excellent customer service.
Why do you want to work here?
This is another common question asked to get an understanding of how much research you have done on the company before the interview. Your answer should align your own personal values with the company's values.
Example Answer:
I want to work here because I am impressed with your banks reputation for providing excellent customer service. I am passionate about helping customers and providing them with personalized attention and support.
I am also drawn to your growth opportunities your bank offers. I believe in continuous learning and finding new opportunities in expanding and gaining skills.
What does customer service mean to you?
It's important to answer this question with honesty. Your answer should reflect what good customer service is and how you have excellent customer service skills.
Example Answer:
To me, good customer service means making customers a priority. I try to approach every phone call and customer question as a welcome interruption and each interaction with a customer as an opportunity to build a relationship.
No matter how I may feel about the situation, I always remind myself that a good attitude and a listening ear could be the difference between making a loyal client or losing one altogether.
What experience do you have in customer service?
Customer service skills are important when you are a bank teller. Be sure that you highlight your experiences in customer service when answering this question.
Example Answer:
I worked in a customer service call center for a year, and while I was there I helped an average of 50 customers per day. My satisfaction surveys continually came in with positive reviews, and I earned the employee of the month award three different times.
I also worked at a bakery for six months where I took and filled custom orders. I helped customers find what they needed and listened to exactly what they wanted so that I could communicate it to the bakers. Both of these experiences honed my empathy, problem-solving, and conflict management skills.
What experience do you have with working with large sums of money?
When you are a bank teller, you will have to handle large sums of money from time to time. That's why interviewers will ask this question. Use an example from your past to show your experience with being able to handle large sums of money.
Example Answer:
During high school, I was in the band, and we regularly had fundraisers where we’d sell gift cards before and after sporting events.
I regularly ran the table where I accepted and recorded people’s payments and counted out the right gift card amounts (often worth hundreds of dollars), all while keeping up a conversation with the customer and watching the gift cards and money to make sure no one in the crowd walked by and snatched something.
Once it was time to close up shop, I had to count everything to make sure the records were consistent and then place the gift cards and money in a safe.
Do you know how to detect fraudulent checks and counterfeit cash?
As a bank teller, it's important to know how to detect fraudulent checks and counterfeit cash. Your answer should reflect your knowledge with both.
Example Answer:
During my time working at a clothing store, I learned the basic telltale signs of counterfeit cash, but I don’t have any experience with identifying fraudulent checks. I’m a quick learner, though, and I’d love to get some training in that area.
What qualities do you think are most important for bank tellers to have? Why?
To help you answer this question, make sure you have read the job describe before the interview. You should say qualities that are in the job description and your reasoning for why they are important.
Example Answer:
I believe that great bank tellers need to be attentive to detail. Making silly mistakes not only frustrates the customer, but it can also lose the bank money and create unnecessary ethical and legal challenges.
Why do you think customer service skills are important for a bank teller to have?
Customer service skills are important when you are a bank teller because you are with customers all day long. Your answer should highlight one or two reasons as to why these skills are important.
Example Answer:
Showing customers that you care about them helps all of your interactions go much more smoothly, and it gives them confidence that the organization has their best interests at heart.
In my experience, these skills have also allowed me to smoothly transition into talking about products that could solve the customers’ problems, which results in sales for the bank.
What would you do if you saw a coworker take $100? $10?
Stealing from a bank is a serious crime, that's why the interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation. Be sure to discuss the steps you would take to resolve this type of sitatuion.
Example Answer:
It doesn’t matter how much money they take, all that matters is that they’re stealing. If I saw this, I would follow company policy and talk to my manager about the situation. My coworker may not be happy with me for that, but ignoring it is just as bad as stealing money myself.
How would you respond to a customer who said that we had wrongly charged him a fee, but he overdrew his account?
This is a delicate situation to handle in a timely manner. It's important to handle it properly to keep the customer from being more angry. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to help you answer.
Example Answer:
I would first apologize to him and acknowledge his frustration. Then I would immediately look into what had happened and then calmly explain to him why we had charged him the fee. I would then offer as many solutions as possible and ask how I could help him proceed.
How will you go about selling our products to clients as you interact with them?
This is a question that will evaluate how your customer service skills are. Be sure you answer with how you would sell something to a customer.
Example Answer:
I will work to get to know the clients and their needs and then in my own words explain how one of our products could help meet those needs. By listening and showing empathy, I’m more likely to pique their interest than if I simply spouted off a sales pitch.
Why do you want to be a bank teller?
This is a common question often asked to get an understanding of what brought you to the interview that day. Be sure you are honest with your answer.
Example Answer:
I’ve always been interested in the finance industry, so I wanted to find a job that would give me some experience in the field. I also love working with people, and I have always appreciated how much help bank tellers have given me over the years, so I thought this position would be a great fit.
Tell me about a time you’ve had to resolve a conflict with a coworker.
Being able to solve conflicts and have excellent conflict-resolution skills is important for any position. Use an example from your past to help you answer.
Example Answer:
When I worked as a server at a restaurant, one particular hostess would regularly over-assign tables to me and under-assign them to other servers. One day, I approached her during a break and politely told her that I would love to talk to her about finding a solution.
She agreed, and I explained my frustration and what it was like to have to manage too many tables. She seemed to understand, apologized, and even asked me for suggestions on how she could improve it in the future. We put a great system in place, and the whole team was happy with the changes.
How would you respond to a customer who is annoyed about a long wait?
This is a situational interview question that is asked to get an understanding of how you would handle this situation. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to help you answer.
Example Answer:
I would listen intently to their complaint and acknowledge their frustration. I would then apologize for the wait and do whatever I could to make it up for them. If company policy allows it, I would even ask the customer what they’d like me to do to compensate them for their time.
If I wasn’t able to do anything, though, I’d explain that I’d talk to my manager about it to see what we can change for the future. No matter what, I’d work to serve them as efficiently and courteously as possible to help alleviate some of their frustration.
How would your strengths help you be a great bank teller?
This can be a common question that is asked during an interview. The strengths you discuss should relate back to the job position.
Example Answer:
I’m a naturally social person, so carrying on conversations and interacting with people all day comes easily for me. This would help me offer great customer service and build relationships with customers.
I’m also a very methodical person, so even though I’ve never worked in a bank before, I would be able to quickly learn and stick to the company’s systems and policies so that I could offer the most efficient and accurate service possible.
What is your weakness?
Just like asking about what your strengths are, interviewers ask this to see how self-aware you are. Your answer should demonstrate how you are willing to improve and what steps you are taking to improve.
Example Answer:
One area I am actively improving on is my public speaking skills. I am very confident speaking one-on-one with customers but in larger groups I find it more difficult. To help improve this, I been participating in team meetings and volunteering for internal presentations.
Describe a time you went above and beyond to help a customer.
Customer service is important when working as a bank teller. Your answer should highlight your customer service skills with an example from your past.
Example Answer:
When I worked at my local grocery store, there was an older lady who would come in to buy a special cereal for her grandson every time he came to visit her. He had severe allergies, so there was only one type that he could have. One day, we were out of the cereal, and the lady came to ask me if we had any more.
I did a quick search of our inventory database and saw that our shipment had been delayed. I looked it up at a few nearby stores and saw that they had gotten their shipments in and had it in stock.
I was about to start my break, so I told the lady that I’d get it during my break and deliver it to her house after my shift if she’d like. She agreed and thanked me enthusiastically.
How does being a bank teller fit into your long-term goals?
Interviewers like asking about your long-term goals because it helps them get a sense of how long you plan on being with their company. They may also ask "where do you see yourself in five of ten years?" No matter what way they ask, be sure to show your ambition and your plans of professional growth in your answer.
Example Answer:
I’m pursuing a career in finance, and a job as a bank teller would allow me to see how a bank operates and to get familiar with the industry. I know I have a lot to learn about financial institutions, and I’d love to learn from an institution that I’ve respected for several years now.
What precautions would you take to verify the authenticity of a customer's identification when processing a transaction?
Verifying the customers identify is important, especially when dealing with transitions with large sums of money. The interviewer wants to make sure that you are able to follow the correct steps to verify the customers identity.
Example Answer:
I would first ask for a type of identification document that is accepted by the bank such as a driver's license, passport, or government-issued ID. I would then carefully inspect the document, paying close attention to the photo, holograms, watermarks, and security threads.
I would then cross check important information such as their name, date of birth, and signature. If there is a situation where I am uncertain or suspicious about the authenticity of their identification document, I would seek assistance from a supervisor or security personnel.
How do you handle situations where a customer's account balance does not match their records or expectations?
This may happen from time to time when you are a bank teller. It's important to handle these situations in a timely manner with effective communication. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to help you answer.
Example Answer:
I would start by listening to the customers and their concerns. I would make sure to gather any relevant details about the discrepancy. I would then review the customer's transaction history, their account statements, and any other documents to identify any potential errors.
I would also make sure to adhere to the established policies and procedures of the bank regarding the situation. Throughout the investigation, I make sure to keep the customer updated and I have open communication with them. If the discrepancy was due to an error on the bank's part, I would take responsibility and ensure the adjustments are made properly.
Can you explain the process of handling a cash transaction accurately and efficiently?
How would you handle a situation where a customer disputes a transaction or claims an error in their account?
What steps would you take to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer transactions and sensitive information?
How do you handle a situation where a customer wants to withdraw a large sum of cash? What precautions would you take?
How do you maintain accuracy when processing a high volume of transactions within a given time frame?
Can you describe your approach to balancing cash drawers at the end of each day and reconciling any discrepancies?
What measures do you take to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, such as anti-money laundering (AML) guidelines?
Can you explain the process of handling a check deposit, including verifying endorsements and ensuring accuracy?
Can you discuss your experience with handling foreign currency exchange? What factors do you consider when calculating exchange rates and fees?
How do you handle situations where a customer is unable to provide proper documentation or identification for a transaction?
As a Candidate:
Highlight your customer-service skills. Customer service is important when it comes to being a bank teller. You will be spending most of your day interacting with customers. Be sure to come up with examples of how you were able to use your customer service skills to satisfy customers.
Prepare for behavioral interview questions. The interviewer should ask you behavioral interview questions to help get an understanding of your skills and experience. They will ask behavioral and situational interview questions to know how you will react and handle different situations.
Ask the interviewer questions. You should be asking the interviewer questions during the interview. The questions you ask should be related to the job and company. The types of questions will help the interviewer know how interested you are in the position.
As an Interviewer:
Create a list of questions. To be prepared for the interview, create a list of common interview questions as well as teller behavioral interview questions. These questions should be tailored to the position to help you find your ideal candidate.
Evaluate the candidates experience and skills. Take note of the skills and experiences the candidate highlights. Take special note of their customer service skills, ability to handle money, and their math skills. These skills are essential for bank tellers to be successful.
Be prepared to answer questions. The candidate should be asking questions during the interview. You should also prepare some time at the end of the interview for any additional questions they may have. The types of questions they ask will help you determine how interested they are in the position.