I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Vanguard (Malvern, PA) in Oct 2018
Interview
There was a phone screening interview and then an in-person interview. The phone interview was about an hour so be prepared to be on the phone with the recruiter for some time. The questions they asked required in-depth answers so definitely study or go over the STAR method. On the bright side, half of the phone interview consisted of the recruiter talking loads about the company, the benefits, the salary, the job position, the culture of the company, etc. As well as them getting to know you a bit. They look at your resume and the experience you have so be ready to speak on that because they'll ask you specifics on each.
The in-person interview didn't compare to the phone interview at all. They had a group of us come in early in the morning and kept us for about 2-3 hours. It can be daunting and intimidating but the time was split -- a big portion of the time is spent in a presentation where the HR team tells you more about the company, answers questions show you videos. A small portion of it (so about 20-30 minutes) is spent sitting face-to-face with 1-2 actual HR representatives. This is the actual "interview" part. The phone interview is by far the longest you spend interviewing. I wish there was more transparency about this.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time you faced a problem at work and how did you overcome it.
The interview process took about two weeks from application to offer. After submitting my application, I completed an online writing assessment followed by a short questionnaire with around five basic investing-related questions. Next, an AI scheduling assistant helped me set up a 15–20 minute phone interview with a recruiter.
The recruiter was incredibly positive, welcoming, and encouraging. She immediately put me at ease, which helped boost my confidence and allowed me to present myself well during the interview.
After moving forward, I had a Microsoft Teams interview with the hiring manager, who was equally fantastic. He made me feel comfortable throughout the conversation, which was especially appreciated since I tend to experience interview anxiety.
Overall, the hiring process was smooth, well organized, and a genuinely positive experience from start to finish.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about yourself. / How do you handle a difficult customer?
Over the phone for first round. Very friendly and felt more like a conversation at first, then came a few behavioral questions using the STAR method. Know the company and what sets them apart from others.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a time where you had to face a difficult challenge, and how did you approach it?
I applied online. I interviewed at Vanguard (Charlotte, NC) in Jun 2026
Interview
Very easy, initial online assessment, then phone screen scheduled within a few days. Then a final round with a team lead. They mostly make sure you are a good fit with the culture at the company