Wells Fargo interview questions, and the video screen
Wells Fargo says some roles start with an On-Demand Screen, where you record video answers to pre-set questions, and many start with a recruiter phone screen. For behavioral questions it asks for its SBO method: the situation, your behavior, and the outcome.
Updated
- A recorded video first. Some roles use an On-Demand Screen: you record answers to pre-set questions, with no one on the other end.
- Or a recruiter call. Many positions start with a phone screen with a recruiter.
- SBO, its name for STAR. Situation, behavior, outcome, and what you learned.
- Interviews vary by group. By phone, in a group, or one on one with a hiring manager or recruiter.
- Investment banking opens early. Summer 2028 Corporate & Investment Banking internships open in January 2027.
What Wells Fargo says it looks for
From its Corporate & Investment Banking program page:
Analytical, with attention to detail
Analytical thinkers with strong attention to detail. In a technical answer, that means numbers that tie out.
Creative problem solving
People who bring creative, innovative ideas to solving problems.
Communication
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which a recorded screen tests before anyone meets you.
Fast, collaborative teams
People who succeed in collaborative, fast-paced and change-driven environments.
How Wells Fargo's process runs
From its hiring process page and FAQ. It says the steps vary by business group.
Apply, screen, interviews, offer
Step 1
Apply before the deadline
Apply online. Corporate & Investment Banking summer 2028 internships open in January 2027. MBA students who met the team on campus apply through their career center.
Step 2
Review
A recruiter or hiring manager reviews your application and contacts you if your background matches its needs.
Step 3
A screen
Some positions use an On-Demand Screen, a recorded video interview with pre-set questions. Many use a phone screen with a recruiter.
Step 4
Interviews
By phone, in a group, or one on one with a hiring manager or recruiter. Wells Fargo says it keeps you informed of next steps and timing.
Step 5
Offer
Wells Fargo suggests weighing culture, benefits, company health, reputation and pay before you accept.
Wells Fargo doesn't name its video vendor. It also leaves out how many questions the On-Demand Screen asks, the time per answer and the number of final-round interviews.
12 questions to practice for Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo's behavioral questions want one specific situation each, told in SBO order. We added the banking technicals its live rounds can cover.
For the recorded screen5 questions
Answer in SBO order. A recording can't ask what you meant.
Walk me through your background and why you applied.
What a strong answer does
Your elevator speech, in about a minute and a half, ending on Corporate & Investment Banking by name. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Why now and not after graduation?”
- “What would you do if you didn't get this role?”
Tell me about a team deadline that nearly slipped.
What a strong answer does
Wells Fargo wants people who succeed in fast-paced teams. Name the deadline, what you did and the outcome. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What did you drop to make the deadline?”
- “What would you plan differently?”
Tell me about a time you caught a mistake others missed.
What a strong answer does
Attention to detail is on its list. Show how you found it, what you did about it and what it saved. Practice it, see a model answer
- “How did you tell the person who made it?”
- “How do you check your own work now?”
Describe a problem you solved in a way nobody expected.
What a strong answer does
Wells Fargo asks for creative problem solving. Show the usual approach, why it fell short and why yours worked. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Who pushed back, and how did you handle it?”
- “What would you do if it had failed?”
Tell me about a time a plan changed at the last minute.
What a strong answer does
It names change-driven environments. A strong answer shows calm, a quick reset and a result. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What did you tell the rest of the team?”
- “What did you learn about planning?”
Why Wells Fargo3 questions
Wells Fargo tells you to research its culture, values and the role.
Why Wells Fargo?
What a strong answer does
Tie something specific you learned at its events or from its people to your own goals. A bank's size alone isn't a reason. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Which other banks are you talking to?”
- “What would make you pick us?”
Why investment banking, and not another part of the bank?
What a strong answer does
Corporate & Investment Banking covers banking, markets and research. Say which part you want and why it fits you. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What do you think an analyst does all day?”
- “Why not sales and trading?”
What questions do you have for us?
What a strong answer does
Wells Fargo tells you to prepare thoughtful questions. Ask about the group's work, not things its website answers. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Why that question?”
- “What have you heard about this group?”
Technicals for banking rounds4 questions
The live rounds for banking roles can test the basics.
How do the three statements connect?
What a strong answer does
Start at net income and show where it lands on the other two statements. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Depreciation rises $10 at a 25% tax rate. Walk it through.”
- “Where does stock-based compensation show up?”
Walk me through a DCF.
What a strong answer does
Under two minutes: the cash flows, the rate you discount them at, the value beyond the forecast, and the step from enterprise to equity value. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Why use unlevered free cash flow?”
- “What moves the value most?”
How do you get from enterprise value to equity value?
What a strong answer does
Enterprise value is the whole business, equity value is the shareholders' part. Show the bridge. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Why do you subtract cash?”
- “Which multiple goes with each?”
How would you value a company?
What a strong answer does
Comps, precedent deals, a DCF. Then pick one for the company in front of you and defend the choice. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Which usually gives the highest value?”
- “What if the company loses money?”
More to prepare with
Mistakes that cost Wells Fargo candidates
A general story
Wells Fargo asks for a specific situation, not a description of what you usually do.
No outcome
SBO ends on the outcome and what you learned. Stories that stop at the action lose the point.
Applying late
Banking internships open about 18 months before they start. Check the timeline page.
Trusting the wrong invite
Real invitations come from @wellsfargo.com and live video runs on platforms like Microsoft Teams.
How to prepare for Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo's behavioral interview page lays out the steps. Here they are for a banking candidate.
Before you apply
Learn the group and the dates
Read the program page and attend its events. Corporate & Investment Banking applications open early.
Before the screen
Write five SBO stories
Match each to a skill in the job description: detail, creativity, communication, teamwork.
Before live rounds
Practice out loud
Wells Fargo suggests friends or family and feedback on your communication and body language.
After each round
Send a thank-you note
Wells Fargo lists it as the last step of a good interview.
The video screen and interviews, in Wells Fargo's words
What Wells Fargo's own careers pages say. Everything else on other sites is a candidate report.
On-Demand ScreenRecorded, pre-set questions
Some positions require an On-Demand Screen from a third-party vendor, a preliminary interview where you record video responses to pre-set questions.
Wells Fargo: careers FAQPhone screenWith a recruiter
Many positions require a phone screen interview with a recruiter.
Wells Fargo: careers FAQSBO methodSituation, behavior, outcome
Describe a specific situation, not a general one, the action you took and the outcome, including what you learned. It was formerly called STAR.
Wells Fargo: behavioral interviewsElevator speechPrepare one
Focus on skills that apply to the job and your key accomplishments. Also prepare your own questions and send a thank-you note.
Wells Fargo: behavioral interviewsLive videoApproved platforms
When video interviews are used, Wells Fargo uses approved enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Teams, with invitations from an @wellsfargo.com address. Never a consumer chat app.
Wells Fargo: recruitment scamsPractice the screen, before it counts
Soreno's AI interviewer gives you one question at a time, as a recorded screen does, then a live round's follow-up, with every answer scored. Free for 7 days.
Questions people ask
Does Wells Fargo use HireVue?
Wells Fargo's careers site does not name the vendor. Its FAQ says some positions require an On-Demand Screen from a third-party vendor, where you record video answers to pre-set questions. Candidates report a recorded behavioral HireVue of 4 to 6 questions for investment banking.
How long do you get per question in the Wells Fargo video interview?
Wells Fargo does not publish the timing.
What is the SBO method?
Wells Fargo's name for situation, behavior and outcome, formerly known as STAR. Describe a specific situation, the action you took and the outcome, including what you learned.
What is the Wells Fargo superday like?
Its own page only says interviews vary by business group. For investment banking, candidates report three interviews of about 30 minutes, two technical and one behavioral.
When do Wells Fargo investment banking applications open?
Wells Fargo says Corporate & Investment Banking summer 2028 internships open in January 2027. Full-time roles typically open in August and September, based on intern conversion.
Does Wells Fargo do video interviews on Zoom or Teams?
When it uses live video interviews, Wells Fargo says it uses approved enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Teams, and invitations come from an @wellsfargo.com email address.