Ability to problem solve and think laterally/innovatively

Q. When have you had to think outside of the box? 

Q. Tell me about a time when you have had to come up with an innovative solution to a problem.

Top City firms charge substantial amounts for their services and clients are increasingly instructing them only when they have particularly challenging and unique issues to resolve or strategies to execute. Firms therefore want candidates who are able to think creatively and laterally to ensure client problems are tackled effectively.

Hannah Salton explains how you can demonstrate problem-solving skills

Think about times you have experienced challenges, both big and small. This could be, for example, a time where you worked with complicated information that you had to analyse methodically in order to try and resolve certain issues, a challenge you experienced whilst leading a personal initiative such as a volunteering project, or in the context of an academic project.

Jake Schogger explains how to demonstrate problem-solving skills

Whatever example you use, try to identify one or more specific issues or challenges that you came up against, then explain how you thought creatively to resolve or circumvent those issues or challenges. It could be, for example, that you suggested a new process for your team to follow, carried out research into alternative ways of working, or even came up with a totally “outside the box” suggestion. Either way, be clear as to what the “problem” was, and how you “solved” it.