Over the years, our team has helped hundreds of professionals secure roles in the Payments and FinTech space – from ambitious graduates to senior execs transitioning from traditional banking. And if there’s one thing I can tell you, it’s that interviewing for a top FinTech company isn’t just about showing what you know. It’s about showing that you get the industry, the business, and where they’re headed next. FinTech hiring managers move fast. They’re looking for sharp thinkers who bring energy, curiosity, and a genuine interest in building something new. They don’t want rehearsed answers or textbook definitions – they want to see how you think, what excites you, and whether you can add value from day one. Here’s how to prepare in a way that sets you apart.
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I’ve seen plenty of candidates do a quick skim of a company’s app or website and walk into the interview thinking that’s enough. It’s not.
The most impressive candidates go deeper. They understand how the company makes money, where it sits in the ecosystem, who its competitors are, and where it’s winning or losing ground. If you’re interviewing at a cross-border payments platform, for instance, make sure you’ve considered the regulatory complexity they face, how they handle FX margins, or who their target merchant clients are.
These details matter.
Tip: Frame your prep around three questions:
The FinTech landscape changes constantly. Whether it’s embedded finance, open banking, blockchain, or regulatory pressures, your ability to speak credibly about the macro trends shows that you’re plugged in and ready to hit the ground running.
You don’t need to be an expert on everything. But you do need a perspective. That could be as simple as, “I’m really interested in how AI is being applied to risk modelling – I read recently that X company is using it to…” – that shows genuine interest and awareness.
If you can mention relevant funding rounds, recent acquisitions, or changing market dynamics, all the better. It proves you’re not just job-hunting – you’re here because you want to be in this space.
Generic won’t cut it.
FinTech’s, especially those scaling quickly, need people who solve specific problems. Whether you’re a developer, compliance analyst, or customer success lead, you need to be able to connect your experience to their reality.
“I led a team” becomes far more powerful as, “At my last role, we implemented a new onboarding flow that cut time-to-verify by 30%. I know that’s a key metric for businesses like yours operating in competitive B2C markets.”
Get specific. Tailor your examples. Show that you’ve understood the challenges this business might be facing and that you’ve done the work to connect the dots.
FinTech interviews aren’t always linear.
Some clients we work with run highly structured interviews. Others lean more conversational. Either way, they’re often testing your adaptability and problem-solving mindset as much as your technical know-how.
Be prepared to think on your feet. You might be asked how you’d prioritise conflicting tasks in a lean team, or how you’d respond if a regulator challenged your product feature set. These aren’t trick questions – they’re windows into how you operate in real-world scenarios.
If you don’t know the answer immediately, don’t panic. Talk through your thought process. Show them how you approach problems when there’s no perfect playbook.
FinTech’s often have tight-knit teams, fast-moving priorities, and a culture that rewards autonomy and initiative. Clients care deeply about fit – not in a superficial “beer fridge” sense, but in terms of shared values, energy, and approach to work.
Be ready to show how you work with others, how you handle ambiguity, and where you see yourself making an impact. And please – ask them questions too. You’re assessing them just as much as they’re assessing you.
If you’re not sure what kind of environment they operate in, ask. A good question is: “How does your team handle change when priorities change?” It shows emotional intelligence and commercial awareness – both prized traits in this space.
One final thing. If you’re successful (and I hope you are), don’t assume the hard work is done once the offer’s signed. In this market, candidates do get counteroffers. They do get approached while they’re serving notice.
The best FinTech’s know this and actively work to keep new joiners engaged. But you should do your part too – stay curious, stay connected, and keep the momentum going.
Preparing well shows respect – for the interviewer’s time, the business they’re building, and your own career path. At PaymentGenes, we’re here to help you make the most of every opportunity, and we work closely with candidates to ensure they don’t just show up prepared – they show up aligned.
If you’re preparing for a FinTech interview and want to sharpen your approach, feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to talk through your strategy.
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When it comes to building high-performing fintech teams, one question keeps coming up: Should we hire globally or locally? It’s a conversation we’ve had with dozens of clients over the past year - and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In a sector where talent is scarce, skills are specialised, and collaboration is key, where someone works is just as important as what they do. Here’s how we help our clients think through the remote work dilemma - and what we believe fintech leaders should consider when making these strategic hiring decisions.
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