TD Bank For The Hoes

“Tell me about a time you used data or observations to make a better decision.”

A time where I used data or observations to make a better decision was while at home depot while looking at certain hardware SKUs, and noticing that they weren’t being prioritized for restocking.
I wanted to prevent lost sales and improve the shopping experience.
A: I tracked which items sold the fastest by checking daily inventory levels and made it a point to restock those SKUs first. I also shared these observations with my supervisor so we could adjust ordering patterns.
R: Stockouts decreased noticeably, customers could consistently find what they needed, and our department sales improved.

“Describe a time you balanced multiple responsibilities.”

S: On busy weekends, our hardware department often faced heavy customer traffic while still needing to keep bays stocked.
T: I had to balance helping customers on the floor with maintaining inventory levels.
A: I prioritized by first assisting customers directly, then restocking the most in-demand items during slower moments. I also communicated with teammates to make sure no task was left behind.
R: Customers got immediate support without long waits, and our department avoided running out of high-demand products. My manager later mentioned my ability to handle both tasks effectively under pressure.

“Tell me about a time you showed initiative.”

S: During a Milwaukee vendor bay reset, the vendor was short-handed, and the project risked running behind.
T: Even though it wasn’t assigned to me, I wanted to step in and help ensure the bay was completed on time.
A: I volunteered to assist with moving stock, kept the area accessible for customers while the reset was happening, and provided the vendor with real-time SKU checks using our device.
R: The reset finished on schedule, customers were able to shop from the updated bay immediately, and both the vendor and my manager appreciated that I took initiative without being asked.

“Give me an example of when you had to solve a difficult customer problem.”

S: A customer once came in asking for multiple Milwaukee tool SKUs that weren’t all on the shelves. They were ready to check out immediately but didn’t want to wait.
T: I needed to quickly locate the products and ensure they could leave with everything they wanted in one trip.
A: I used our system to check stock levels, located the items in the overhead bays, and safely brought them down for the customer. While doing this, I explained the process so they felt informed.
R: The customer appreciated the extra effort, left with every item on their list, and thanked me for saving them an extra trip. My supervisor highlighted it as a great example of customer-first service.

“Tell me about a time you worked on a team to achieve a goal.”

S (Situation): At Home Depot, Milwaukee vendors came in to restructure an entire bay in the hardware department. It was a big project that required moving stock, reorganizing layouts, and keeping the area safe for customers.

T (Task): My role was to support both the vendor team and my department by making sure the reset was completed efficiently while still helping customers who needed items from that section.

A (Action): I worked alongside the vendor reps to unload and rearrange products, provided real-time SKU checks using our store system, and kept the aisles clear so customers could still shop. I also coordinated with teammates to make sure high-demand products stayed available during the reset.

R (Result): The bay was reset on schedule, customers were able to shop safely throughout the process, and the new layout boosted product visibility. Both the vendor and my manager appreciated my teamwork and initiative in making the project run smoothly.

So why are you interested in consumer banking?

It’s the frontline of financial services, and is resposible for the strategy, design, and delivery of deposit and lending products

What group would you like to work in?

Consumer deposit and payment products

What do you like about TD?

TD Bank is the 8th largest Bank in the U.S. With a vision to build the better bank, and values supporting impact, growth, and fosteirng a culture of care - I don’t think I can ask for anything more in a potential employer. I feel like I would be serving something beyond me.

As for employment….

 As for employment, I’ve been working at Home Depot bas a sales associate since 2023. At Home Depot I quickly came to realize how important basic analysis was for daily business decisions. In the context of Home Depot this meant what bays would be restocked, or what high earning skus needed to be prioritized. This experience is why I’m here today interviewing for a position that is consumer focused, and analytical in nature.

Potential secondary characterostic to use for consumer banking interest

“At Home Depot, I saw firsthand how meeting customers where they are — helping them find the right products quickly — made a difference in their overall experience. I see consumer banking in a similar way: you’re helping people solve real financial problems in their day-to-day lives.”

VLOOKUP formula

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Pivot tables 

1. Select data → Insert → PivotTable.

2. Drag fields to:

   • Rows = categories (e.g., product, branch).

   • Values = numbers to calculate (e.g., sales, counts).

   • Columns = optional grouping (e.g., month).

   • Filters = filter whole table.

How do banks make money?

• Net Interest Margin:

  This is the primary way banks generate income. They make a profit by lending money at a higher interest rate than they pay on deposits, such as savings accounts and CDs. 

“Give me an example of when you worked under pressure.”

S: On weekends, hardware often had high customer traffic while inventory needed constant restocking.
T: I had to manage helping multiple customers while also keeping bays stocked.
A: I prioritized customer-facing interactions first, restocked in-demand products between lulls, and coordinated with teammates to divide the workload.
R: Customers didn’t wait long for help, and we avoided stockouts on our busiest days. My manager praised my ability to stay calm and efficient.

“Describe a time you learned something new quickly.”

S: When Milwaukee launched a new line of tools, customers had lots of questions that weren’t covered in our usual training yet.
T: I needed to get up to speed fast so I could answer accurately.
A: I read the vendor materials, asked the rep clarifying questions, and shared what I learned with my teammates.
R: I was able to confidently guide customers on the new products, which boosted sales and made my department look knowledgeable.

“Tell me about a time you contributed to better performance in your department.”

S: Our hardware department often ran low on high-demand fasteners.
T: I wanted to improve stock availability and reduce missed sales.
A: I tracked daily movement of these SKUs in our handheld, prioritized restocking them first, and flagged recurring stockouts to my supervisor for re-ordering.
R: We had fewer stockouts, customers consistently found what they needed, and department sales increased.

So what are your strengths?

1. Customer focused

I make it a priority to understand what the customer really needs. At Home Depot, I learned that even small actions, like checking overhead stock or explaining product differences, can turn a frustrating experience into a positive one. That focus on customer service is something I’d bring to TD.”

2. Analytical

“I pay attention to details and use data to guide decisions. For example, I noticed certain SKUs sold out quickly, tracked patterns, and adjusted restocking priorities. I enjoy connecting small observations to bigger outcomes, which I know matters in consumer banking.”

What are your weaknesses?

1. Lack of experience

One weakness is that I don’t have a lot of direct experience yet in banking, since I’m still a student and early in my career. But I see that as a positive in some ways — I’m eager to learn, open to feedback, and I’ve built transferable skills through my coursework and at Home Depot, like customer service, problem-solving, and analyzing sales patterns.