Recently, I had the chance to take part in a Mock Interview right in my classroom. The setup was a hypothetical scenario:

Assume you are the candidate, I am the bank’s recruiter and here are the questions that determine whether the bank will hire you or not.

Recruitment:

My answer from that day

I chose to apply for the Treasury position. From what I’ve learned, this role is all about managing and analyzing cash flow and making investment decisions.
I chose Treasury for three reasons:

  1. First, looking at the real world, I’ve realized that managing cash flow is a ‘life or death’ challenge for most businesses. A company can have plenty of orders but still go bankrupt simply because they ran out of cash.
  2. Second, this isn’t just a repetitive, ‘by-the-book’ job. It requires you to find valuable insights within the company’s financial pulse.
  3. Third, this role gives me the chance to work on a wide variety of projects, which is a great way to broaden my perspective and gain deep expertise.

I believe I’m a great fit because I’m a Finance and Banking student in an English-taught program, so I’ve already studied and practiced the technical concepts and terminology. As for experience, I’ve made it into the final rounds of finance competitions and business case contests, and I’ve worked on scientific research in corporate finance. You can see all my projects and insights on my personal portfolio website.

If the bank isn’t hiring for Treasury right now, I’m more than happy to start in Credit Analysis or Risk Management. I realize that Treasury requires more than just textbook knowledge, it needs a deep understanding of how the whole bank works, since cash flow is the ‘blood’ that pumps through every department. Learning these supporting roles first would be a perfect stepping stone to becoming fully qualified for a Treasury role later on.

Key Takeaways

That day, I learned so much just by watching my peers who volunteered to present in front of class. I was struck by their professionalism, from their sharp choice of words and polished outfits to the pure confidence they showed while presenting themselves.

After the presentation session, the host didn’t give us a specific “pass” or “fail” result. She didn’t want to create a rigid “template” for success, as if following a simple formula is all it takes. Instead, she encouraged us to focus on building deep expertise and practical experience, while also learning the art of self-promotion.

By the end of the session, she shared a perspective on the job market that really made me think: Today, the lines between different job roles are blurring. This means we have to be proactive learners who can adapt quickly and multi-task effectively.

A smart answer isn’t just about saying “Yes” or “No”, it’s about showing how adaptable you are. When you apply for a job, fitting into the company culture is what matters most. Specific roles won’t limit you as long as you’re willing to learn. As she put it:

“Whatever job you do, aim to be a master of it.”

Personal Reflections

After that mock interview, I really took a hard look at where I was headed. To be honest, at the time, my grades were at an all-time low and my extracurricular experience was basically non-existent. But thanks to the support of my family, I didn’t give up.

I started this blog, began taking my classes more seriously, dove into scientific research, and became much more disciplined with realistic goals. As I write this, I don’t know exactly how things will turn out. But I’m going to keep moving forward. I truly believe that in the near future, I’ll be able to look back and smile, proud of the effort I’m putting in today.