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BlackRock HireVue Mock Interview

To help you prepare for a HireVue interview at BlackRock, here are 30 interview questions and answer examples.

BlackRock was written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 1 of 30

Tell me about yourself.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

What you need to know, experienced example.

Community Answers

This question serves several purposes. It aims to get you to relax while speaking about a subject you are an expert on - yourself. It allows you to deliver your elevator pitch, explaining in a brief bio how your professional journey led you to their doors. It also serves as a reference point for when you are answering your questions most sincerely, as opposed to giving an interview performance and responding according to what you assume they are looking to hear. So, answer this and all the following questions as sincerely as possible. Or, as BlackRock advises, "Be yourself. Be valued for it."

BlackRock uses an algorithmic on-demand interview assessment company called HireVue to capture what they call your virtual cover letter. "The virtual cover letter is a short Q&A video recording that you must submit as part of the application process. We'll provide you with two questions to record your answers to. You'll then have three minutes to prepare and 90 seconds to answer each question. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes. You must complete both questions in a single sitting within 72 hours of submitting your online application to be considered. We review this virtual cover letter instead of a written cover letter."

In most instances, when you enter into the virtual cover letter or on-demand interview, you'll be allowed roughly 20-30 seconds per question to formulate your response and up to three minutes to record your answer. You get only one opportunity to record your answers. While some questions take longer to answer than others, do your best to take only as much time as you need. Be as brief as possible. On their website, HireVue offers the following advice: "Virtual interviewing is similar to the video calls many of us have been using. Since you can interview from anywhere, make sure it's somewhere you're comfortable. Pick a spot free from distractions and noise. Ensure you've got the strongest Wi-Fi signal possible. And don't forget to check your lighting. Make sure it's in front of you. Lighting from behind makes it hard to see you. Just be natural! Get comfortable and be confident in yourself." Here is some more helpful advice from HireVue's website: "You will use a computer, tablet, or mobile device to answer questions created by the company for the position you are applying for. Your answers are recorded for a representative at their company to evaluate. Because HireVue is not directly involved in the hiring process, the company you applied to will follow up with you about their hiring decision or any next steps after you complete your interview."

"As a child, my parents frequently traveled for work, and it seemed like they were both frequently stretched thin. So at ten years old, I started managing their finances, from paying bills to dedicating accounts to different functions. I have always been good with finances and money. It is a responsibility my parents trusted me with from an early age. I take that responsibility very seriously and take that trust seriously as well. So, to this day, when someone trusts me with their assets and capital, I feel honored and take pride in earning and retaining their trust."

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BlackRock HireVue Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our BlackRock, Inc. interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

Table of Contents

• 1.   Accomplishment Questions
• 2.   Adaptability Questions
• 3.   Behavioral Questions
• 4.   Career Goals Questions
• 5.   Communication Questions
• 6.   Compatibility Questions
• 7.   Competency Questions
• 8.   Creative Thinking Questions
• 9.   Customer Service Questions
• 10.   Diligence Questions
• 11.   Diversity Questions
• 12.   Education Questions
• 13.   EQ Questions
• 14.   Leadership Questions
• 15.   Salary Questions
• 16.   Teamwork Questions
• 17.   Tough Questions

Accomplishment

1. Tell me about yourself.

Written by Kevin Downey on May 8th, 2023

Written by Kevin Downey on May 12th, 2023

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Adaptability

2. Geographically, where would you like your career to take you?

Interviewers ask this question to determine how familiar you are with the expectations of this role and their company, as well as your goals and what motivates you in your career. If you are willing to go anywhere the company needs you to, with the hope of advancing more quickly and rising through the ranks, this will offer insights into your goals as a professional. If you are hoping to ground yourself in one location and are looking for a fruitful career while remaining close to friends and family, this holds merit as well. Both can assure the employer you are interested in long-term gainful employment. However, you should be honest and committed, regardless of your approach. Most importantly, familiarize yourself with the value propositions and recruiting advertisements offered on their website before your interview.

BlackRock advertises on its website, "Our presence is worldwide. We are a global investment management firm that has grown to include more than 85 offices in over 35 countries, across six continents. As we expand our capabilities globally, BlackRock continues to focus locally. Through partnership with over 16,000 colleagues, we help people from all walks of life reach their investment goals."

Allow some time before the interview's start time to enter the virtual interview room and check that the webcam, sound, and lighting are suitable before it begins. Close any unnecessary windows or applications that may notify you and distract you on your device during your interview. Have a glass of water ready next to you if you need it during the interview. Ensure you are in a quiet room or area, well-lit and free of distractions. Additionally, HireVue advises candidates to "wear exactly what you would for a traditional face-to-face interview. This can mean something different for every company and position, so we recommend picking your outfit based on the role you are interviewing for. Think about it this way: if you're applying to a non-customer-facing role, it will probably have a more casual dress code, and a nice, clean top, free of excess writing, will probably do for your interview! Alternatively, if you're applying for a role where you'd typically wear a suit and tie every day, we recommend you do the same for your interview. It may feel a little different to put on your Sunday best for your kitchen table, but hey, at least you won't have to get it pressed again after this, right?"

"I would love to go wherever my career with BlackRock could take me. However, if given the opportunity, I would love to end up in Seattle, Washington."

3. How do you promote your own well-being?

This question uses keywords from their website page, 'well-being,' to test how thoroughly you've explored their company. As part of their recruiting efforts, BlackRock advertises to their candidates that they "understand emotional resilience is key to in your life and at work. Our emotional well-being resources can help you navigate all kinds of situations. We care about your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer support for working parents and Flexible Time Off so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about." This question also aims to assess how emotionally balanced you are, which could serve as an indicator of your likelihood of burning out on the job, leading to poor performance and contributing to attrition. Share how you prioritize your physical, emotional, and financial well-being, and explain that you are interested in finding long-term, gainful employment with them.

Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2023

On HireVue's website, candidates are offered the following advice: "Maximize your comfort level and share your experiences and skills as naturally as possible. This is an opportunity to share your story as a candidate. All candidates applying to a position will receive the same set of questions, selected by the hiring company. Additionally, HireVue takes measures to prevent candidates from seeing these interview questions before they are taking an interview. These measures ensure that each candidate has the same amount of time to review the questions, and prepare their responses, giving all candidates the same interview experience and an equal shot at putting their best foot forward."

The algorithm will analyze your verbal and nonverbal cues, such as placing stress or emphasis on certain words, stuttering, or taking long pauses. Try to be mindful of your facial expressions. When concentrating, avoid furrowing your eyebrows, as it could be misinterpreted by the algorithm. If you are unsure how to answer, avoid placing your hands on your neck, folding your arms, or slouching. Maintain eye contact with the camera when possible, and maintain good posture.

"I do so by listening to myself. It may sound cliche, but there is a balance you have to strike with your mind, body, and spirit. And if you start to feel off balance in any way, it's time to listen. If this happens, I'll do myself some form of kindness that addresses all three, like go for a bike ride in the forest or treat myself to sushi. I just listen to myself and treat myself well. As a result, I would say that I am generally a pretty well-rounded individual."

Career Goals

4. How can we motivate you?

This question aims to assess how career-focused you are and is a test of your professional worth. How you answer could reveal whether you look at your career through a big-picture lens or focus on more immediate, short-term goals. When sharing what motivates you and supports your career satisfaction, focus on your career goals and the timeline for reaching them rather than on financial rewards. Your merits will be rewarded accordingly, and you can save the salary talk for a more appropriate time.

In a blog on their website, they advise that you should "be open about your goals and where you see your career going. A good manager would want to co-own the process with you. Fostering open communication with your manager creates space to have that frank discussion. Candor is the biggest thing I think of when it comes to discussing and looking at internal mobility."

You can expect several career-oriented questions throughout your interview. Therefore, it is important to remain focused and ensure your responses are consistent. HireVue's assessment models will evaluate you for your consistency from one question to the next. Not only do you want to ensure your answers are consistent throughout your interview, but your performance as well. They even advertise on their website that they "Ensure hiring team consistency. Assess candidates consistently with evaluation guides built into the interview experience. Hiring teams can be instantly calibrated with provided job-related attributes and behavior examples validated by IO psychologists." They aim to provide "consistency to the interview process. Each candidate is asked the same questions and is reviewed using the same criteria. This, in turn, allows HireVue's customers to quickly hire better quality, more diverse applicants to fill their roles."

"BlackRock can motivate me by helping me reach my goals in the time frames I have set up for myself. I am very ambitious and have a career plan that I want to follow. If I feel I am growing professionally, I am motivated to keep at it."

Marcie's Feedback

5. Why are you currently looking for employment?

This question aims to determine under what pretense and conditions you left or are leaving your previous employer. Those who burn out at their current job might think the grass is greener on the other side, only to bring their career dissatisfaction with them. They want to ensure you would be a sustainable employee and a long-term hire.

This question may seem generic, but it is, in fact, company-specific. When researching their website, try to identify the answer they are looking for with this question. "You may not always be sure when, or how, to make your next career move, whether that means switching to a different team, advancing beyond your current position, or both. But you do know when it's time for a change, usually once you've outgrown a job. And that's why your next steps can be crucial to establishing an exciting long-term career. Once you discover that next opportunity, you want to ensure it's taking you in the right direction." Remember, they are looking for a candidate who is an ideal match for their culture and values.

Any of HireVue's clients can request varying services, from aptitude assessments to on-demand interviews customized to them. Some companies request only the recorded videos and no assessment reports. Some request the report, while others request screening and only receive the interviews that pass the algorithm's evaluations as potential top performers. Regardless of what package BlackRock has signed up for, HireVue's assessment aims to identify those candidates which BlackRock would consider top performers who are also most suited for the company's culture. So, once their hiring authority receives the materials, they can view the candidates' "virtual cover letters" side by side for further comparison and evaluation.

"It was simply time for a change. I am grateful for what my current employer has given me through my training and experiences and the relationships I've built. However, I feel a bit stagnant and haven't been challenged in the last year. I want to keep growing and advance into a leadership position, but the opportunity isn't there."

6. How did you come to choose your career?

Interviewers ask this question to determine whether you intentionally pursued your career or fell into it. However, this question is not asking whether you are satisfied with your career. It is possible for someone to fall into their career and still have career satisfaction. However, if this opportunity opens the door for you to pursue a preferable career, it might be worth mentioning. They even advertise that you can switch careers internally in their efforts to reduce attrition. "At BlackRock, You Can Change Career Paths Without Leaving the Company. Employees Can Develop Transferable Skills. Internal Networking Opportunities Are Endless. Personal Interests Can Become a New Career Path. Development Programs Put a Focus on Learning. Managers Actively Help With Career Transitions."

Be transparent and show that you have recognized the opportunities that BlackRock has to offer you. However, if you are dissatisfied with your career and are hunting for any job anywhere, it will probably be spotted. For example, when what you say is inconsistent with how you say it (your tone, facial expressions, or mannerisms), it is commonly considered an indication of limited emotional intelligence or burnout syndrome. It also suggests a lack of self-awareness.

"I learned long ago that if you are good at something and enjoy doing it, you should pursue it. So, I chose my career because I was doing it before I got paid to do it."

7. Where would you like BlackRock to take your career?

Interviewers ask this question to distinguish candidates specifically interested in landing a career opportunity with them from those looking for any job that matches their skills anywhere. Research both the company and the position and identify how what they have to offer matches your ideal work environment and culture and how their career opportunities for advancement from within align with your career goals.

Here is the advice that BlackRock gives to their employees when they've either been hired into a position or have been promoted or transferred. "We are committed to growing and developing our employees to help them reach their full potential. Our smartest investment is you. You're in the Driving Seat. Make a plan. Be consistent. Remember that transitioning out of your current role is just as important as transitioning into your new one. Have a clear plan. It will help make for a smoother transition. Be proactive. Show your team that you're eager, willing to learn, and ready to be involved from day one, even as you're still growing into the job. Be patient. It takes time to settle into a new role, both for you and for your new teammates. Give your colleagues the space to get to know you and how your skill set best fits in. Be gracious. It's essential to maintain relationships. Be intentional. Invite a new colleague for coffee or lunch to learn more about them and the work they do. Find ways to show that you're genuinely invested."

Before your interview, learn everything you can about HireVue and how to deliver the best on-demand interview possible. For example, HireVue offers practice questions on their website to prepare you for their process. While the practice questions may not apply directly to BlackRock, they can still serve as a useful exercise. "While virtual interviewing isn't difficult, a little practice can help you prepare. Most on-demand interviews ask you to give your answer in just a few minutes. It's helpful to think about how you will illustrate your skills clearly in that timeframe, and to practice them out loud."

Entry Level Example

"I have an extensive career plan, but my plan is flexible beyond the first five years. You never know where life will take you, nor can you predict the twists and turns around the bend. I would love to continue to build my transferable skills within BlackRock and hopefully, in five years, make managing director. But should other opportunities present themselves that I feel are a more suitable fit, I would most certainly entertain them."

8. Why do you want to work with BlackRock?

This question aims to help BlackRock recruiters identify whether you are what they would consider a serious candidate who wants to specifically work for them. They are curious about your reasons for wanting to join them (culture, career goals, environment, diversity, and inclusion). This question will also help them identify which of their recruiting efforts are more successful than others. For example, here is a testimonial from one of their returning employees: "One thing that has drawn me back to BlackRock is the fact that there are so many different opportunities to either work with other teams or to try something else or to stretch ourselves in a new way."

HireVue's proprietary machine-learning algorithms will record your video interview and analyze your facial expressions, eye movements, body movements, clothing details, and vocal inflections. Once recorded, it will evaluate those data points, studying the consistency between your answers to determine your level of honesty and indications of your confidence in your statements. These will help it predict culture fit and job performance. It will then forward its findings to BlackRock's hiring authority.

HireVue defines their algorithms as 'assessment models,' which are designed to combine "video interviews with predictive, validated IO science and artificial intelligence. HireVue augments human decision-making in the hiring process and delivers higher-quality talent, faster. HireVue Assessments take the place of the same kinds of things that a recruiter or hiring manager would be looking for in a candidate for the job you're applying for."

"I was drawn to the developmental opportunities BlackRock provides their employees and the flexibility offered to try new things. BlackRock's culture feels aligned with my values and what I am looking for. But I think the employee testimonials were the final thing that pushed BlackRock to my top choice for where I would like to expand my career, for the long term, if I am so fortunate."

Communication

9. Tell me about a time you had to break bad news to a client.

This question is a test of your communication skills. More specifically, they want to know how diplomatic you would be in your approach with their customers and to what degree your conduct is guided by integrity, empathy, emotional intelligence, and active listening. As they clearly state on their website, when it comes to good communication, "Transparency and accountability are critical."

HireVue's assessment model will evaluate your communication skills in how well you deliver your response. It is common for someone who is nervous to speak fast and rush through their answers. So remain calm and relaxed, and communicate professionally, as you would with your peers. Moderate your tone, and speak smoothly, while avoiding speaking too fast or taking long pauses while you try to find the right words. Avoid crutch words, such as 'like' and 'um.'

Choose your words carefully. Look up terms that you feel best apply to you or are naturally part of your vocabulary. Use professional adjectives to describe yourself and your situation, such as career-focused, ambitious, persistent, genuine, patient, enthusiastic, disciplined, and passionate. Doing so will aid in presenting yourself as a clearer communicator and more of a professional.

"Last year, I had a client who was high maintenance in that they were always looking for a quick investment flip, chasing the get-rich-quick gamble. On most occasions, I was able to caution against such approaches, and they'd listen. But last year, their associate gave them a tip to buy into quite a bit of a risky stock. I discouraged it, but they refused to listen. As it was their money, I did what I was told, and at first, it paid off. They reached out with another tip and demanded I reinvest most of their funds in a similar scheme, and I cautioned against it again, yet they suddenly trusted this associate more than me as their trusted advisor. Well, this second gamble didn't go well, and they lost quite a bit of their capital overnight. I reached out with empathy and transparency and broke the bad news. They didn't take it well. They accused me of not cautioning them more, asking me why I let them make the biggest mistake of their life. I listened, empathized with them, and I came up with a long game plan to rebuild some of their wealth. Their finances are still on the road to recovery. But now I use this story as a cautionary tale for any other clients who come to me with a risky tip from some associate of theirs."

Compatibility

10. Why should we hire you over another equally-qualified candidate?

This is another opportunity to showcase what makes you unique as a person and what makes you uniquely qualified for their company and this position. On their website, BlackRock recommends you develop an "internal brand," which will help you market yourself as a go-to colleague with a specific skill set. "Working to be an expert in a certain area or carve out a niche where you are known as that person." In other words, how would you serve as a trusted resource of information when representing their brands and supporting your teams? Something to consider when deciding on exactly how to answer this question.

This question will help the assessment model evaluate how confident you are that you're the right fit for this opportunity and whether you're pursuing this position for the right reasons, such as career goals and culture fit, rather than an increase in your salary or proximity to your home. Your answer could reveal if you are shooting for the stars or reaching for a more realistic target.

"I am considered by my clients and colleagues as a trusted go-to resource. I take pride in what I do, I enjoy doing it, and although I have a life outside of my work, I do set aside some personal time to enjoy the more relaxing part of my job, and that is self-education, whether reading an article or a book or attending a lecture. That's what happens when you love what you do. Now I can't say whether other candidates love what they do, but odds are there are few who love what they do as much as I do."

11. Tell me about the last time you were able to advance your career goals at work.

This question aims to assess your model of ambition. Having the drive to further your goals is a positive, so long as it helps further the goals of the team. However, being an overly competitive opportunist who is only in it for yourself can negatively impact the team and doesn't exemplify the model of leadership BlackRock aims to promote.

"We are One BlackRock. We work collaboratively, without silos and without turf, to create the best outcomes for our clients, our firm, and the communities where we operate. A diverse workforce is indispensable to our creativity and success. It's how we answer the biggest questions and solve the toughest problems. An inclusive, equitable environment makes us thrive. It enables us to draw on expertise and unique experiences from across the firm and bring out the best in each other."

HireVue's assessment model will analyze the recorded videos to identify top performers most suited to the company's goals and culture. They advertise that each assessment model is customized to each company's purpose, "built for a specific job role after following these critical steps: Ensure that there is a clear performance indicator for the job role that differentiates the strongest from the least promising performers. Ask the right questions to elicit responses that can be measured and that are pertinent to predicting job performance based on IO psychology research. Train the model to notice everything relevant in the interview (what someone says and how they say it), and build a model that uses only the data points that help predict success in the job."

Written by Kevin Downey on May 10th, 2023

"The career opportunities at my current job aren't quite what I would prefer, which is why I came knocking at the doors of BlackRock. But, I still feel like any time I prove instrumental in helping advance the team's goals, I am advancing my own goals in tandem. When I kaizen my skills, whether through communication or time management, I feel like I am furthering my development in incremental ways."

12. What is your personal purpose?

This company-centric question aims to reveal how aligned you are with their core values, mission statements, and value propositions. They want to know how you bring your passions to what you do professionally. How well you answer this may set you apart from the other candidates. If you feel like the right fit, it will seem you are already a part of their team. Convey your like-mindedness and that it will take no time during your onboarding to get up to speed.

Before your interview, research the company, and learn everything about the company purpose and the personal purpose they expect their employees to have. "At BlackRock, we believe we're at our best when our employees connect their personal purpose to their work and our firm's purpose. In our 'What's Your Why' series, employees share how they bring their passions to what they do. BlackRock's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. We rely on our principles to guide how we interact with each other, our clients, the communities in which we operate, and all of our other stakeholders. These principles represent our core values, our aspirations, and our cultural language, lived and embraced by every employee at our firm."

The assessment model will study your behavior to ascertain if you believe in what you are saying. So answer with sincerity and align your interests with theirs. This can be done easily if you have done your homework on the company and yourself.

Answer Example

"I would say it has been my purpose for some time now to provide people with power over their money. Your money can work against you, or it can work for you. All you need is just a little to get started. I'm here to help my clients get started and keep growing."

13. Who are BlackRock's clients?

This is a simple test of your company knowledge and how well you have prepared for your interview. The answers can easily be found on their website. But this question could also test your communication skills and how well you might answer this question to a potential customer. In your own words, describe the products and services BlackRock offers with subtle enthusiasm and pride.

"Who we serve: Individuals and families, financial advisors, educational and nonprofit organizations, retirees, insurance companies, and governments. Providing choice for those investing for retirement, a new home, or a child's education, helping people at all income levels invest for their futures, working to educate more students, and solve social challenges. Managing the retirement savings of teachers, doctors, workers, and small business owners, supporting people during life's most difficult moments. Financing new hospitals, schools, roads, and other projects helping to drive economic growth."

You always want to seem prepared to answer the question posed while exuding confidence and communicating clearly. Enunciate your words, avoiding stutters or long pauses. Sounding too rehearsed likewise can make you sound wooden and boorish. Practice in front of your computer's camera, trying not to look at yourself on the screen, but rather maintaining eye contact with the camera lens as if you're speaking face-to-face with a person, and keep at it until you are relaxed and seem natural.

"Everyone from families to financial advisors, educational and nonprofit organizations, retirees, insurance companies, and even governmental institutions."

Creative Thinking

14. Tell me about the last time you were passionate about finding a better way to do something at work.

Here is another company-specific question with several keywords from their website to determine your fit for this role and their company culture. As they state on their website, "We are passionate about performance. We are relentless about finding better ways to serve our clients and improve our firm. Since our founding, innovation has been at the center of how we deliver performance and stay ahead of our clients' needs. We have continually reinvented our firm and our industry to help people achieve their goals. We are lifelong students, of markets, of technology, and of the world."

When exploring how to answer this question, spend some time researching yourself and your accomplishments, and outline your approach to innovation and your passion for helping your company and your teams improve in both operations and performance. Analyze how your approach aligns with BlackRock's across all fronts; short-term goals, long-term goals, and the big picture.

"I would consider myself an inwardly passionate person in that I am driven and always looking at things from every angle. I believe for something to be done right, it should always be done along the path of least resistance. When I notice that people start taking shortcuts, I take notice. Why is the shortcut necessary? This is always a sign that the procedure needs adjusting. I am always making suggestions to streamline productivity."

Customer Service

15. Tell me about the last time had to deal with a demanding client while you were busy with other things on the job.

This question not only aims to assess whether they could trust you to represent their brand when engaging with their clients but also whether you could be trusted to multitask the varying functions of your job while maintaining your attention to detail. How you answer could potentially inform them whether you meet their required experience level, whether you would be able to manage your stress, and operate with integrity. As they state on their site, "We are a fiduciary to our clients. Our clients' interests come first. The fiduciary mindset is the bedrock of our identity. It reflects our integrity and the unbiased advice we give our clients. And it's what inspires us to come to work every day and help people build better futures."

Try to make your responses as structured and concise as possible. Avoid rambling or delivering roundabout answers. This is why it is recommended to use the STAR method when structuring your answers. Address each answer by first offering the SITUATION involved with your example. Then move into the TASK this situation required. Then share the ACTION you took and the RESULT of your actions. This will add structure to your answers.

Written by Kevin Downey on May 5th, 2023

"I had a client who was upset that some of their portfolio had lost value, but they were upset about something that didn't affect their portfolio, as they were investing conservatively with the long-term planning for their retirement. I was in the middle of preparing for a meeting that I was going to conduct in 15 minutes. I quickly dropped everything and worked on calming this individual by actively listening to their grievances, mirroring what they were communicating so that they felt heard, and empathizing situationally. I then educated them further on our approach and what you often see with such stable, long-term stock investments. I was able to walk them back from the cliff with five minutes left to prepare for my meeting. I then wrapped up my notes in shorthand, informed everyone attending the meeting that there would be a three-minute delay, and I was on top of it after that."

16. Have you ever violated a verbal or written confidentiality agreement?

This question aims to assess your integrity. Whether it was a legally binding contract or a spoken promise, they need assurances that you can be trusted with the personal information of their clients and their protected company information. So speak your integrity, offering anything you can to affirm you can be entrusted to represent their company.

As they state on their website, "BlackRock's employees have an obligation of confidentiality to BlackRock and its clients. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends. This obligation does not limit employees from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to a regulator or from making disclosures under whistleblower provisions, as discussed in greater detail in the Global Policy for Reporting Illegal or Unethical Conduct and relevant confidentiality policies and agreements."

Remember to maintain relaxed and confident body language and facial expressions. Relax the muscles in your face and around your eyes. Lower your shoulders, slightly tilt your head and nod while speaking slowly and confidently.

"I take any contract I sign very seriously, just as I take any verbal agreement I make. It is not only an issue of my integrity and trust; it affects the reputation of those around me, as well. So I have never violated any agreements of any kind."

17. Have you ever stolen supplies from work?

This may seem like an innocent question, but it is a test of your character. It aims to determine the lengths you would go to protect your company's assets. If there were instances where you were granted permission to take home supplies from work, for whatever reason, this is different and can be shared with transparency and context. But ultimately, you want to remain consistent with your brand of integrity from one question to the next.

Check out the following statement defining BlackRock's protection and proper use of their assets: "Employees and directors should make every effort to protect BlackRock's assets and use them efficiently. This obligation extends to BlackRock's proprietary information, including intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business, marketing, and service plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, systems, software programs, designs, databases, records, salary information, and any unpublished financial data and reports."

HireVue's assessment model will study your virtual cover letter for any signs of discomfort or dishonesty. Verbal cues they'll analyze to identify if you're exaggerating or not being completely honest include repeating a question before answering, speaking in sentence fragments, displaying a change in speech pattern, irregular speech, and rising and falling tone. When your words don't match your gestures, your gestures will be seen as the truth. So maintain eye contact and confident body language, be comfortable, and speak from the heart.

"Some find it annoying, but I am such a rule abider. I refuse to do anything unless it is by the book. So, even if it is 20 pages from the copier, I will ask if it is okay to take it home with me. If my superiors say it isn't, I have no problem with that and don't take it personally. I figure it never hurts to ask. But when you steal, that hurts someone, and usually, it is yourself, your integrity, and the worth of your character, if not the people around you."

18. Have you ever suffered from the consequences of doing the right thing?

This question may seem confusing at first glance, but after doing more than adequate research on the company, you'll discover how they define their business' code of conduct and their support of whistleblowers doing the right thing without fear of retaliation. In many such circumstances, it can be difficult to report the unethical conduct of a teammate, and fear of retaliation is valid. However, the interviewer asks this question to determine whether you have the integrity and the courage to do the right thing while protecting and prioritizing the company's interests.

Here is a summary of BlackRock's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which "sets out basic principles to guide employee conduct. The code is supported by employee conduct policies and programs and reinforced through employee training. We have zero tolerance in relation to illegal or unethical conduct. Any employee who violates the requirements of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or many of our other policies, is subject to disciplinary action. Every employee is required to report any illegal or unethical conduct about which they become aware. Employees have the right to report directly to a regulator and may do so anonymously, without fear of retaliation."

"I became friends with a teammate over the years. We were close. However, one day they called out sick and asked if I would take over a project for them, and I did. But when I logged onto their computer and looked for the folder where the files for this project were stored, I inadvertently stumbled on some communication that revealed he'd been doing some insider trading and had taken bribes. It was unfortunate to be put into such a position, but I had to report it promptly. There was also no way to conceal that I had been the one who had reported him, as it was self-obvious. So there was no anonymous tip or anything like that. I lost a friend that day. It was a pity."

19. Tell me about the last time your sense of integrity was put to the test.

Black Rock advertises that they set high standards for themselves and their employees. "Our reputation for integrity is one of our most important assets. We hold ourselves to standards that not only meet those required by the laws and regulations that apply to us but also to our principles, which are rooted in exceeding our clients' expectations." When answering this question, share an example where your integrity shined, aligning yourself with their expectations. If you have been fortunate enough to not be put in such a situation, that's fine. In this case, share how you would proceed if your integrity was put to the test.

HireVue's assessment models will evaluate how honestly you present your answers, so answer as sincerely as possible. The assessment vendor will use nonverbal cues to assess your honesty, such as stroking your chin and covering your mouth or your eyes, gaze avoidance, the direction of your eyes, excessive fidgeting such as restless foot and leg movements, frequent body posture changes, and grooming behaviors such as playing with hair or pressing your fingers to lips.

"I had a client that desperately needed my help, and I promised I would deliver by the end of the day. But that was predicated on them getting back to me with some crucial information. However, they weren't prompt in getting back to me. Issues with daycare, they later told me. I had given my word, and because of their delay, I was at work three hours later than expected. I am accountable for my actions and should have thought it through before I gave my word. But I have integrity, so I kept at it until it was done."

20. How do you feel about working for a company that celebrates and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion?

This question is a test of your cultural competence to determine how well you would work with and support fellow members of your teams. When answering this question, focus on your sense of innovation through collaboration. Being interested in, supportive of, and wanting to learn from those with different perspectives suggests you are team focused and take charge of your development with a drive to build upon your experience wherever you can. As Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, puts it, "We all just want to be respected - to be treated with dignity; listened to; and heard. Once you understand that, you realize how simple it is to reach out and make connections. So as we face a daunting set of global challenges, we have to face them not as adversaries, but as fellow human beings."

Here are some diversity and inclusion statements taken from BlackRock's website: "Our philosophy of working as One BlackRock is at the core of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across every level of our firm and within every region and country we operate - across gender, race, ethnicity, disability and veteran status, among others. At BlackRock, DEI is a business imperative. We know that a diverse workforce is indispensable to our creativity and success. It's how we answer the biggest questions and solve the toughest problems. An inclusive, equitable environment makes us thrive. It enables us to draw on expertise and unique experiences from across the firm and bring out the best in each other."

Both BlackRock and HireVue advertise that they continually make efforts to mitigate bias. BlackRock states that they regularly review job postings for biased language. HireVue also states that they "actively work to prevent the introduction or propagation of bias against any group or individual" and claims their assessments focus on skills and competencies, not age, race, or gender. "We also continue to advance our abilities to monitor, detect, and mitigate bias. We strive to build teams from diverse backgrounds with diverse knowledge, experiences, and perspectives to best represent the people our systems serve."

How to Answer

Conveying cultural competence requires interest, openness, and curiosity. It also helps to showcase your communication skills while delivering your answer to suggest you have overcome any language bias. Language bias refers to preferentially communicating with those who communicate similarly to oneself, which requires less effort and less of a test of one's communication skills. So when delivering your answer, lean in, tilt your head as you speak, smile and make eye contact with the camera. Avoid giving signs of discomfort or avoidance, which could be interpreted as negative bias and antipathy. Such nonverbal cues include decreased positivity, less eye contact and more gaze aversion, fewer smiles, greater interpersonal distance, and increased blinking. Consider these points when formulating your answer.

"I would feel weird about working for a company that didn't. I consider myself pretty cultured. The more diverse and varied everyone is, the more there is to learn about others and myself."

21. Tell me about the last time you actively sought to learn something new at work.

This question will help determine how aligned your values are with theirs and the professional drive with which you typically operate. How you answer may inform them of whether you are comfortable cruising along with the status quo, performing according to your job's description as your work standard. They are looking for candidates whose work standard goes above and beyond in their professional development and for their teams. They are looking for those who never stop asking questions and always look for ways to do better.

One of BlackRock's core values they define as "Our Curiosity: We have an insatiable desire to learn everything we can. Not just about our business, but also about ourselves. We embrace curiosity and are open to new ideas because global markets change, new technologies emerge and our clients' needs evolve. The world never stands still, and neither do we. At BlackRock, we're always asking ourselves, what do we need to learn today?"

"Every day. I am huge on actively listening. My manager is used to me tagging along when there is a discussion. At first, my boss would ask what I was doing, and I would say I am actively listening. Even if I wasn't participating in the conversation, I was doing what I could to gain as much of a behind-the-scenes view as possible. Without that, I don't think I could support all our big-picture goals as I do now."

22. Tell us about your professional education.

This question focuses on your professional education. Feel free to include, but don't restrict yourself to, your formal education. Expand your educational journey to your on-the-job training, books you've read, seminars you've attended, and anything you've learned along the way that helped you develop and grow as a professional. Painting a complete picture helps showcase your experience level and where you hope BlackRock can take your career next. Explore the opportunities they present as a company, and speak to how you hope those opportunities will further your career goals and aspirations.

BlackRock offers their employees many learning opportunities through on-the-job training, mentoring, and several BlackRock academies. In their recruiting efforts, they advertise this as a value proposition on their website. "Master your role anytime, anywhere, through virtual and classroom courses that will help you up your game while gaining the skills and knowledge you need to be a high performer and leader at BlackRock. Focus on your strengths and build the expertise you need to develop your career and become a thought leader. We offer development programs focused on client relationships, technology, investments, leadership, management skills, and more. We also offer training to our clients, so that they can benefit from our best thinking too."

"I had a brilliant professor in college as my first mentor. She helped me land my first job. At that job, my boss proved to be my next mentor, who taught me a great deal and told me that the road to self-improvement is never-ending and that no matter what, I had to do everything I can to keep learning and growing. Since then, my curiosity and drive have compelled me to keep learning and growing, whether by reading everything I can on my field, attending seminars, or going to conventions."

23. Tell me about the last time you made a mistake that impacted your work.

This is another question concerning your integrity and 'emotional ownership.' A person who is focused on protecting the assets of the company and the interest of the team will take responsibility for their mistakes, take measures to reduce the impact of their mistakes, and take advantage of the learning opportunity the mistake presents, to ensure the mistake is not repeated. It is an issue of integrity, taking charge of your development, and earning trust.

Here is another relevant statement from BlackRock's website on emotional ownership: "The people we serve entrust us to help them prepare for the future. Our culture is defined by the deep sense of responsibility we feel to our clients and to each other. In everything we do, from the investment performance we deliver to the technology we develop, we are emotionally invested in our clients' futures. We are equally invested in the success of our firm and our colleagues. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards of excellence."

How emotionally intelligent you are could be revealed through the verbal and nonverbal cues of your answer to this question. It is common for a person to relive the emotions of a memory upon recalling it. So, if you haven't learned from the experience and haven't taken ownership of it, you might narrow your eyes, fold your arms, and crinkle your eyebrows. So try to avoid any defensive behavior, posturing, movements, or gestures that could be interpreted as insecure, closed-off, unapproachable, hostile, or disinterested. You may think coming across as a strong figure could be beneficial, but true strength comes from within. Therefore, you want to come across as confident and relaxed. And remember, sharing a story of a mistake you learned from showcases your strength. No one can hold over you something you already own.

"Last year, I was pulled away from verifying some reports, which required me to compare a few documents line by line with each other. Then a more urgent priority pulled me away from that project, and I failed to track where I'd left off. When I came back to it, someone had tidied up my station. This was my fault for not protecting my work, but it required me to start over. This resulted in me losing a day's worth of work."

24. How would you describe your emotional ownership?

Many of BlackRock's job listings say they are looking for those with "high emotional ownership" who are self-starters with "high energy, motivation, commitment to excellence and positive approach to business challenges." So when speaking about your emotional maturity or intelligence, be mindful of their company culture language and adopt their brand of emotional ownership into your answer. Describe how you take ownership of your commitments, of your actions, how you communicate with others, and how you own your emotions rather than letting them dictate your behavior.

It is equally important to be emotionally centered when delivering your answers. Speak with confidence, and be relaxed and at ease. You want to come across as in your comfort zone. Be mindful of your posture and smile with your mouth and eyes. Keep your body language open, your tone steady, even, and consistent with your statements. So practice beforehand until you are comfortable with this style of interview and come across as if you are speaking to a real person or an audience.

"I would say I have strong emotional ownership. Early on, I realized my worst responses came from a place of emotional confusion. So I learned to be hyper-focused on what I was feeling and became super proficient in communicating more effectively with myself and others. Now, I take ownership of my emotions and actions and hold myself accountable whenever need be."

25. Tell me about the last time someone gave you unsolicited feedback.

This question assesses your emotional intelligence and experience as a professional. How you answer will inform them of whether receiving feedback is difficult for you and makes you defensive or if you actively seek out feedback and take advantage of the learning opportunity it presents. BlackRock believes that one should treat feedback as a gift and says, "You're not doing anyone any favors by letting them repeat the same mistake."

BlackRock speaks to the necessity and benefits of feedback in depth on their website: "Feedback... can't live with it, can't live without it. Those with managerial experience know it can be as hard to deliver as it is to receive, but see constructive criticism for what it really is, a gift. It's hard to do, but mentors should give more honest feedback. If you're going to have an open relationship, you must be willing to give both the good and the bad. Mentees are appreciative in the end. Honest feedback made them better and ultimately advanced their career. As a mentor, that's the optimal outcome."

"I don't receive unsolicited feedback often because I am always compulsively asking for feedback. I am very proactive when it comes to seeking out feedback. I am also very transparent. I let everyone know that I am not beyond reproach and have an open-door policy regarding expressing concerns or offering advice. As I result, I find I rarely actually receive unsolicited feedback."

26. When was the last time you exhibited real leadership potential?

BlackRock is interested in forming long-term relationships and training and developing their employees in their brand of leadership rather than hiring from outside the company. "We identify and grow our leaders to help them achieve their career goals while driving our firm's future growth." Whether you have formal leadership experience or are interested in pursuing a leadership position, speak to those times you showed initiative and rose to the occasion to go to the batt for your team. Describe a time you took the lead on your professional development, and explain where you hope this opportunity with BlackRock could take your career.

BlackRock offers several leadership training programs, stating that they "aim to foster leadership at all levels. We know that a critical driver of our future growth is our ability to grow strong leaders. Our Leadership and Management Academy is available to all employees and provides access to world-class content to help build their leadership skills and behaviors."

Your professional experience should be represented in your appearance, space, and the words you choose to answer each question. Your personal space will be viewed as a reflection of your professionalism and work ethic. So make sure you choose a space for your recorded interview that is clear of distractions, is not too cluttered, and is neat, tidy, and organized.

"One of our leaders asked me to step into a team project I wasn't part of. They were struggling, and it was clear they wouldn't meet their deadline. An inexperienced supervisor had assigned different members of the team to tasks that didn't play to their strengths. I stepped in, evaluated what was happening, restructured the team by reassigning tasks, and then coached them on the impact of their roles. We met that deadline in the end. The silver lining was that several individuals came to me for mentoring after the fact, wanting to improve in those areas where they'd been struggling. So we identified several growth opportunities as well."

27. What kind of salary are you looking for?

To navigate this question in a recorded assessment video, you should never close negotiations by giving a firm number or even a range. Instead, speak to your professional worth in numbers. You can do this by sharing what you are currently paid and the benefits you receive that compare with theirs, or better yet, where their benefits fall short. Also, offer the percentage you expect with your next pay increase at your current company and your projected income for the next year or two. If your current employer tried to incentivize you to stay on board with them, this is worth sharing as a testament to your professional worth. Then, you can close with where you hope to go with your career in the next year or two, what you have to offer, and that you are open to continuing this conversation in person.

Explore the benefits and rewards Blackrock offers on their site. Doing so will come in handy when answering this question, not only in that it showcases a thorough work ethic, which speaks to your professional worth but also in comparing the benefits you currently receive to what they have to offer. Black Rock advertises their base salary, benefits, and rewards on many of their job postings and in their recruiting efforts on their website. "To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents, and Flexible Time Off so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about."

The body language of a confident and relaxed person in a seated position is of being open and unguarded. This means having your arms resting on the armrests of your chairs and hands open and relaxed, or leaning forward, making eye contact, and keeping your shoulders lowered and relaxed. If you are having trouble getting into the right headspace, there are several tricks you can employ before your interview begins. Do some quick physical exercises. Do some stretches. Give yourself a pep talk, reminding yourself of what you have to offer and what makes you unique. And remember, they want to know more about you, and no one knows more about that subject than you.

"My current salary is on my resume, so it probably doesn't need repeating. The benefits package I currently receive is generously comparable to what BlackRock offers. My current employer offered me a 4% increase if I stay on board, with another 3% increase over the next year. However, I am attracted to the growth opportunity BlackRock has to offer my career, and would be open to discussing salary and career options."

28. Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?

Often this question explores whether you are an introvert, an ambivert, or an extrovert. Knowing this will help them better understand how to train and motivate you and where to place you in their teams. But it also serves to reveal how team-oriented you are and whether you will fit into their culture, adhere to their standards, and meet their expectations.

Verse yourself with their culture as much as possible. Think of it as getting a head start on the onboarding process. The further along you seem and the stronger your work ethic, the more appealing a candidate you will be. For example, here is a culture statement from their website on how they define the teams at BlackRock: "We all have a role to play in leading the firm's future growth. We believe that diverse teams with complementary strengths are critical to our success. Explore our teams below to discover an opportunity that's right for you."

"I am happy, open, and willing to rise to the occasion to whatever the team should need of me. I am adaptable and can shift from more solitary work to collaborative."

29. How important is it for you to cultivate relationships at work?

BlackRock expects their employees to 'cultivate relationships.' This involves building relationships with their teams and customers alike. This is especially important upon onboarding with a new company. So share your approach to building relationships through transparency, active listening, asking questions, empathy, and humility.

"Don't overlook one of your most powerful tools: networking. From peers to senior leaders, those connections can provide insight and support for your professional growth. Your network is one of the most valuable resources you can cultivate in your career. Your network is not just there to give you opportunities; it's also there for support and to help you learn. And with BlackRock's employee, professional, and impact networks, it's incredibly easy to meet colleagues from other teams, start building relationships and discover different areas of the firm you want to explore. You may even find your next mentor."

The first person you should try to build a professional relationship with is the hiring authority, who will review this recorded "virtual cover letter." So, showing your personality can go a long way. Imagine you are speaking to that person. Maintain eye contact, and smile softly. You want to strike a confident and natural demeanor. Nonverbal cues for empathy are slightly tilting your head, nodding slowly, keeping your palms open, maintaining eye contact, smiling softly, and slightly raising your eyebrows. Posture yourself in a relaxed and comfortable position, and be yourself.

"It is very important to me. But I'd say it is important to cultivate relationships at work, with your teams and clients alike, regardless of who you are."

30. You have two quarters, eight dimes, three nickels, and one penny. Using all but three of your coins, what coins do you use to pay for an ice cream for $0.95?

This is an assessment of your problem-solving skills. How you answer will indicate whether you have the basic mathematical skills to ensure accuracy and high-level attention to detail. Since the question is intended to take you off guard, you'll have to think quickly.

HireVue advertises that their assessment "models focus on skills, behaviors, and competencies specific to the job." For example, they state, "Common types of questions you'll see in a video-based assessment are situational judgment questions. You'll be asked what actions to take when confronted with a hypothetical situation."

This question could also assess how well you deal with stress and whether you can think clearly and analytically under pressure. Consider this when you aim to convey that you keep calm under pressure.

"Easy. The money I would have counted out and paid with is eight dimes and three nickels. I'd keep the two quarters and one penny for myself or hand to the person out on the corner asking for change."

Careers at BlackRock

Spring insight program - emea.

The Spring Insight Program is a week-long initiative that takes place in April 2024 for students of all academic backgrounds graduating from an undergraduate or Master's degree in 2026.

The program offers an immersive experience in one of our business areas – you’ll participate in work shadowing, a group project, networking and social events. You’ll be well on your way to being a true student of the markets by the end of the week. We think it’s important to have an open mind about where you begin your career and you’ll be able to apply to up to two business areas.

Application deadlines:

Applications have now closed for the majority of our business areas. You can still apply to the roles below:

• Aladdin Client Services - Edinburgh

We're recruiting on a rolling basis, so please apply now to be considered.

Important : 

Candidates can apply for only one program (e.g. Summer Internship Program) and up to two opportunities within that program (e.g. Internal Audit and Portfolio Analytics).

If you withdraw your application, you will not be able to submit an application for a different role.

Next steps:

Once you submit your application you will immediately be invited to submit a Virtual Cover Letter depending on the vacancy or vacancies you apply to.  You must submit your Virtual Cover Letter within 5 calendar days, as failure to do so will result in your application being automatically withdrawn.

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.

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BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEO is the Law poster here and its supplement here . The pay transparency policy is available here .

BlackRock is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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Intern At Aflac! 2024 Summer Sales Internship

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Join our 30-minute virtual internship Info session to learn more about Aflac’s 2024 Summer Sales Internship Program! We are seeking motivated, growth-focused individuals who are interested in learning more about an insurance career.

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News from the Columbia Climate School

Summer 2024 Climate School Internship Opportunities

Yana Zeltser

Adrienne Day

The Climate School is offering internship opportunities for diverse administration and communications roles with sustainability-related projects. Current full-time Columbia and Barnard students (undergraduate, graduate, and PhD) are eligible to apply. 

Summer internships are paid at a rate of $22/hour. The maximum possible funding is for 260 hours (or 20 hours/week for 13 weeks) and the internship period runs June 1 – August 31. Students must be available to start on or about June 1st. Students hires are required to be within commuting distance during their summer employment at Columbia and must make their own housing arrangements.

The application deadline is Sunday, April 7 at 11:30 pm ET. Decisions will be made shortly after the deadline.

Read the full position descriptions below carefully for specific requirements for each position. To apply, visit the application here . While you may apply for more than one position, you must submit separate applications for each. To apply for multiple positions, return to the form after you submit it to select another position.

For each position application, you will need to submit your cover letter and resume combined into a single file.

Contact Yana Zeltser ([email protected]) with questions.

The Summer 2024 Internship positions include:

• Advancing Land Based Investment Governance (undergraduate, graduate)
• Climate School-WE ACT Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center Program (undergraduate, graduate, PhD)
• Communicating Climate Science and Impacts of Environmental Stressors on Vulnerable Ecosystems and Communities (graduate)
• Coordinating Indigenous and NGO participation in climate negotiations (undergraduate, graduate, PhD)
• DEI + Sustainability Summer Fellowship Project (graduate)
• Institutional Partnerships (undergraduate)

Internship Position Descriptions:

1. Project Title: Advancing Land Based Investment Governance Student type desired: undergraduate, graduate Department/Program: Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment Project Objectives : Under the Advancing Land Based Investment Governance (ALIGN) consortium, CCSI and two partner organizations provide responsive technical support to governments, civil society, local communities and Indigenous Peoples in strengthening national policy on land-based investments. The project responds to concerns that land-based investments (including renewable energy investments) are often seen as critical to advancing sustainable development though may also contribute to dispossession, environmental degradation, and conflict. ALIGN activities are under way in multiple countries across Sub-Saharan African and the Asia-Pacific. Thematic foci include land rights, climate change, and energy transition policy. Anticipated Tasks :  1) Tracking web and social media content related to ALIGN activities to support responsiveness to dynamic legal and policy landscapes and inform ALIGN strategy development. 2) Developing twitter and website content on ALIGN projects; social media content has proved valuable in reaching target government and private sector stakeholders. 3) Supporting communication and efficiency across consortium and external partner organizations through developing and updating project tracking spreadsheets and note-taking in meetings. Proposed benefits of this project to the intern: The intern will have the opportunity to learn from external partners in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia about the environmental and human rights concerns surrounding land-based investments, as well as about public sector efforts to improve investment governance. The intern will develop social media, written communication, stakeholder engagement and organizational skills as well as their attention to detail. They will learn about responsible land-based investment, investment governance, and community and Peoples’ rights in the context of resource investments, and cross-cutting areas including the just transition. Networking opportunities with CCSI staff and fellow interns will be available. Skills Required:   Strong attention to detail, excellent written communication skills, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, knowledge or experience of issues relating to land-based investment governance, community and Peoples’ rights, climate change, the energy transition and cross-cutting themes would be preferred but is not required. French is a plus. 2. Project Title: Climate School-WE ACT Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center Program Student type desired: undergraduate, graduate, PhD Department/Program: Columbia Climate School

Project Objectives : Interns will support the Columbia Climate School-WE ACT Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center Program team. The Region 2: WE ACT TCTAC serves New York and New Jersey and aims to help underserved communities gain access to grant and funding opportunities so that they’re better positioned to advance and address environmental, climate, and energy justice issues. We (members of the TCTAC) offer training and technical assistance to build capacity for navigating grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals, effectively managing grants, and engaging in environmental and energy justice decision-making. As part of this team, the selected individual will support the following administrative efforts Anticipated Tasks :  1) Coordinating Technical Assistance requests; Track participant data; Collate data to provide program progress reports. 2) Identify and meet with potential technical assistance providers. 3) The intern will also support TCTAC Steering Committee Meetings and working groups including a) Set up meeting agendas, b) Note-taking, c) Coordinate follow up. 4) The intern will might also provide logistical support with a) In-person and virtual trainings, b) Community tours through our NY and NJ, c) WE ACT TCTAC cohort events Examples of key functions during placement may include: Supporting strategic partnership development, Assessing the impact of WE ACT TCTAC on disadvantaged communities, and Helping to develop content for internal and external outreach efforts. Benefits of this project to the intern: The intern will gain experience working with environmental justice and community-based organizations, strengthen data collection and organizational skills, and work collaboratively with a project team of members from diverse backgrounds (university staff, NGOs, CBOs, etc.)

Skills Required:   Excellent organizational skills, good people skills, some knowledge of and interest in environmental or climate justice (preferably courses taken or previous work experience). Students who are passionate and interested in environmental justice. 3. Project Title: Communicating Climate Science and Impacts of Environmental Stressors on Vulnerable Ecosystems and Communities Student type desired: graduate Department/Program: Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory Project Objectives : 1) Improve understanding on how climate change stressors (sea level rise, increasing temperature, eutrophication, hypoxia) impact ecological processes in vulnerable coastal environments, and communicate results to coastal communities, including underserved populations. 2)  Improve understanding on impacts of extreme events (intense storms, floods, droughts) on coastal ecosystems, habitat, and communities. 3) Improve understanding on why climate change is an environmental justice issue. 4) Capture and integrate input from local communities into our research. 5) Bridge and translate science to policy, decision makers, and the public. 6) Examine human-ecosystem interactions in urban coastal systems. Anticipated Tasks :  1) Develop web content relevant to this project 2) Develop social media content 3) Write blogs and essays 4) Interview project participants, collaborators and stakeholders involved in this project 5) Assist with development of short videos/recordings Benefits of this project to the intern:

Through this project, the intern will learn about the impact of climate change and extreme events on coastal ecological processes and ecosystem stressors. Through involvement in all phases of the project, the intern will have the opportunity to broaden the knowledge obtained in courses, become familiar with current literature on climate change and impacts on coastal ecology, biodiversity, coastal communities and water resources, and develop skills in communication of findings. They will also gain experience in working both independently and cooperatively with a diverse group of people, and understanding and applying writing/communications methods, ethics and conduct rules.

Skills Required:  

Creativity; Critical thinking and problem-solving; Initiative; Organizational Skills; Strong background and interest in climate change, environmental sciences and social science; Effective oral and written communication skills (e.g., essays, blogs, interviews); Experience with various social media and communication platforms (e.g., YouTube, Instagram); Experience with web content development (e.g., story maps); Teamwork and collaboration skills

4. Project Title: Coordinating Indigenous and NGO participation in climate negotiations Student type desired: undergraduate, graduate, PhD Department/Program : Columbia Climate School Project Objectives : This project seeks to expand the participation of Indigenous Peoples with two groups involved in the UNFCCC negotiations: an NGO, the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (iccinet.org), and a high-level group of nations, Ambition on Melting Ice (ambitionmeltingice.org), which includes a number of countries (Nepal, Chile, Peru, Tanzania) with substantial Indigenous populations. These two organizations press for climate action to address ice loss and sea level rise; though there is some Indigenous involvement through the Inuit Circumpolar Council (inuitcircumpolar.org) around sea ice, Indigenous engagement could be greatly expanded in regions of mountain glaciers and permafrost. Anticipated Tasks : 

1) The intern will coordinate with Indigenous organizations, such as the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (lcipp.unfccc.int) and national organizations, as well as with the two groups above.

2) They will track activities around cryosphere, mountain and permafrost issues within the UNFCCC processes and Indigenous Peoples organizations.

3) They will assemble case studies of effective adaptation and mitigation activities that involve full just partnerships between Indigenous Peoples and other organizations.

4) They will assist in preparing notes and documents leading up to COP29 in Azerbaijan, and support the development of the International Year of Glacier Protextion (2025) announced by UNESCO, and will prepare posts on this efforts for the GlacierHub within the Climate School website State of the Planet (news.climate.columbia.edu/features/GlacierHub).

Benefits of this project to the intern: The intern will gain knowledge and experience of international climate negotiations, learn the challenges and opportunities of promoting engagement of marginalized communities, and develop skills in locating and analyzing assessment and policy documents. The intern will also produce posts for State of the Planet which will have their byline and permanent URLs. Skills Required:   Familiarity with climate policy, climate science and impacts, and climate justice; Strong skills in managing documents and references; Writing skills for drafting documents and reports; Experience in related areas of climate justice preferred; International experience preferred.

5. Project Title: DEI + Sustainability Summer Fellowship Project Student type desired: graduate Department/Program: SUMA & Columbia Climate School Project Objectives : This project aims to strengthen DEI efforts and initiatives within the Sustainability graduate programs and Climate School partner programs. Students will engage in a variety of activities and work that highlights the close connectivity of DEI and Sustainability. This project will involve developing curriculum and programming that bring equity-centered perspectives on sustainability, integrate environmental justice knowledge, and enable students to deeply engage with social justice issues. In conjunction with offices and people throughout the network, this project will provide fellows with a high-level overview of strategy, planning, and development in DEI + Sustainability spaces. Anticipated Tasks :  This project aims to center DEI advancements with student feedback and development, EMPHASIS ON STUDENTS. Students will help develop workshops, skills seminars, course curriculum, and future DEI Initiatives for the Sustainability Programs, partner programs, and beyond. Students will brainstorm and build relationships with program administrations, Climate School & SPS leaders, and entities across the Columbia network. Students will also engage in the broadness of DEI + Sustainability, working individually and collectively, to craft presentations and resources to aid in marketing and recruitment for the programs. Students will also contribute to website and social media updates. Benefits of this project to the intern: Student will gain skills and competencies in DEI planning. Student will partner with SUMA administrators, faculty, and other campus leaders on their DEI efforts. Students will gain a better understanding of the strategy and development behind DEI Programming. Students will also gain valuable experience in working in higher education administration and leadership. Students will develop transferable skills that will be valuable, no matter the desired career path. Students will provide support for projects of the Sustainability Graduate Programs and on broader equity efforts at Columbia and in the surrounding community. Skills Required:   Interest in DEI work; Interest in Higher Education Administration; Sustainability Emphasis; Computer Skills; Public Speaking and Presentation Skills; Community Engagement; Be Available for In-Person & Virtual. 6. Project Title: Institutional Partnerships Student type desired: undergraduate Department/Program: Columbia Climate School, Office of Development Project Objectives : The Summer Intern will contribute to the following summer projects: 1) Continue to develop and refine the Climate School’s first development database of institutional funders and prospects. 2) Prepare Materials for Strategy Sessions and Pipeline Meetings 3) Prospect Research Anticipated Tasks :  Picking up where our previous intern left off, the new summer intern will continue to build and refine the development database. They will source and compile publicly available contact information on prospects and funders to the School to support the creation of an actionable database. The intern will also work closely to support the team in the preparation of presentation materials (slide decks, summary documents, agendas); take meeting notes and then synthesize and distribute them to meeting participants. Lastly, they will contribute to the development of prospect briefings for Climate School. Benefits of this project to the intern: The student will get an inside view of how the Climate School raises funding from the climate philanthropy sector, primarily foundations and corporations. The student will learn about key global funding priorities for the climate sector and how the Columbia Climate School’s education, research, and impact objectives match to these areas of giving. The student will uplevel their ability to use AI to efficiently and effectively accomplish routine tasks such as prospect briefings and create compelling PPTs. Skills Required:   Intern should have strong English language writing and project management skills; facility with Microsoft 365 platform, Google workspace, and LinkedIn. A familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) databases is preferred, but not essential. Prior experience using ChatGPT, BardAI, or other generative AI models is most welcome. The intern should possess a curiosity for what drives philanthropic engagement in the climate sector, specifically towards an academic institution like the Columbia Climate School.

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