Proactivity/initiative

Q. Tell me about a time where you have demonstrated initiative?

Q. Have you ever had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get things done?

City firms want to hire people who are able to use their initiative, be resourceful, and remain proactive. These characteristics are key in high pressure, client-led environments – where people are generally busy and the work is intellectually challenging – as they can suggest an individual will be able to learn quickly, complete more work autonomously, and consequently contribute more effectively (in part, through making their supervisors’ lives easier). 

How can you demonstrate initiative and proactivity?

Try to think about times where you’ve gone the extra mile to make something happen or figure something out by yourself. For example, have you ever spent hours in your free time voluntarily learning a new skill, software programme or process – or reading up on industries and clients – in order to get up to speed and enhance your performance at work? 

Maybe you suggested a new way of working in order to boost your team’s productivity, or put yourself forward for certain opportunities (for example, by offering to deliver training to others on some new development). Or do you have examples from other work experiences where you’ve taken certain actions in anticipation of follow-on tasks (even if just drafting a cover email for your supervisor to use when sending your work to a client)?