When an AML (Anit Money Laundering) interview is looming in your head, the only sane thing to do is to prepare for it.
For an AML position, the following set of questions and answers will help you ace the interview:
AML Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why did you choose to make a career in an anti-money laundering capacity?
I had always found the work fascinating, ever since I was introduced to it during the time that I was completing my degree. Ever since then, I have made an individual effort to learn what the work is all about, and have now been working in an AML capacity for over ten years.
2. In an AML capacity, what were your duties in the past?
While working in an AML capacity, I have been actively analyzing and monitoring various forms of potentially suspicious transactions and online activities, along with reviewing transactions to determine the possibility of risk. In addition to this, I have been quite busy reviewing alerts, communications, and workflows related to client activity, and performing detailed research and analysis to determine high-risk clients. Also, my work involves supervising AML processes, such as investigating suspicious activities, handling currency transaction reporting, global sanctions screening, and managing, developing, and training AML staff members.
3. What skills do you possess which make you an excellent person to hire for an AML position?
During the 10 years that I have spent in an AML capacity, I have learned a lot about anti-money laundering work. The skills set that I have developed over these years includes strong analytic and communication skills, the ability to foresee problems in clients’ accounts, the capability of taking immediate action to counter any prospective issues, knowledge of compliance metrics, ability to conduct periodic reviews of high-risk entities, and demonstrated expertise in making recommendations for improving the effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures.
4. What was the most difficult AML case that you handled?
Last year, the management of the company where I was working was stumped about an apparent loss in a client’s account, which seemed to hail from nowhere. I was asked to intervene, and I must admit that it took me 3 weeks to determine that the case was about ghost entries –an associated account was eating up profits, and the initial account holder had no clue about it.
5. What is your greatest weakness, professionally speaking?
I wouldn’t exactly call it a weakness, but I am a perfectionist that often makes it difficult for me to meet goals because I set them unrealistically. But I am working on it so that I can work towards realistic goals, and not end up frustrated.
6. What are your 5-year career plans?
I have worked hard in this capacity, and I am aiming to climb the ladder to the position of an AML specialist soon.