common interview questions Flashcards
(6 cards)
what attracts you to compliance and risk management
o Undertook a law degree with a professional placement year
o Undertook financial crime in final year
o Naturally detail orientated and wanted something more problem solving
o And so I am interested in compliance as it requires a proactive mindset- spotting potential issues before they escalate, communicating with stakeholders
why are you interested in the compliance associate role at alphasights
- compliance associate role
- alphasights in particular
tell us about a time when you dealt with a difficult ethical situation
o University group project, team member proposed using a paid online source to provide us with pre-written content
o Suggested as ‘inspiration’ but I realised it would be considered as academic misconduct
o I raised the concern with my team- academic and reputational risk
o Experience reinforced for me that ethical decision-making involving speaking up early even when uncomfortable
what steps would you take to prevent a conflict of interest
Preventing conflicts begins during the expert vetting stage. Would first apply alphasights’ BREAD framework and use AlphaGraph to cross-reference the experts’ current and previous affiliations, roles and industries.
Experts are also required to agree to expert code of conduct, which prohibits confidential, prop or non-public information
Before confirming any consultation, I’d ensure that both the client and the expert are aligned on the engagement scope and that it does not present a conflict. If there is any doubt I would escalate it internally for review.
These steps create multiple layers of protection to safeguard both parties.
how would you explain a complex compliance process to a client with limited legal knowledge
Being able to translate complex rules into practical, client focused benefits is key to building trust.
Id focus on simplifying core purposes behind the process, using clear, non-technical language. For example, I’d say something like ‘our expert vetting process helps to ensure that you’re speaking to someone who is qualified, unbiased and not in a position to share anything they legally shouldn’t.’
Id break the process down into simple steps- like identify checks, training, vetting for conflicts and monitoring and draw parallels to things the client already understands, like NDAs or internal confidentiality rules
Id also invite questions and offer written summaries or follow ups if helpful.
what would you do if a client pushed back on a compliance safeguard?
o If a client pushed back on a compliance safeguard, id first take a moment to understand their concern- is it about speed, convenience or misunderstanding the risk?
o Id then explain the safeguard’s purpose in terms that focus on protecting them, not just alphasights. For example, I might say ‘this safeguard is designed to ensure you’re not exposed to insider or restricted information, which could create a legal or reputational issue for your firm’
o Id remain professional, but firm- I wouldn’t compromise on key safeguards, especially where legal or ethical boundaries are involved. If needed, I’d suggest alternative ways to meet their objectives, such as engaging a different expert or narrowing the consultation scope
o Id ultimately aim to de-escalate the pushback while reinforcing our commitment to responsible knowledge sharing and if the issue couldn’t be resolved at my level, I would escalate it through the appropriate channels in line with alphasights’ escalation policy
