The employer is checking whether your interest in finance is intrinsic and task-based, since entry-level analyst work is highly technical and detail-oriented and cannot be sustained by money or status alone.
Acknowledge the other fields briefly to show you made a considered choice. Then name the specific finance activities that match your strengths and give one brief example of using those strengths.
Start by acknowledging that you did consider the other business functions seriously, because that shows your choice was deliberate rather than accidental. Then move quickly into what specifically hooked you about finance, and be honest about the nature of the work itself. Say plainly that you are drawn to the puzzle of turning raw data into a coherent story about a company's health, and that the analytical rigor of building a three-statement model or dissecting a cash flow statement feels like solving a complex problem where every number has to reconcile. Explain that you enjoy the accountability of finance, the fact that a model either balances or it does not, and that this clarity appeals to your temperament more than the ambiguity of marketing or the process focus of operations. Mention one concrete moment, perhaps from a school project or a personal attempt at valuing a local company, where you stayed up late refining a forecast and found the process genuinely engaging rather than tedious. Finally, tie it back to the Philippine context by noting that you are excited to apply this discipline to real transactions in a market where deal activity is growing, and that you see the long hours as a fair trade for the depth of skill you will build. Keep your tone calm and specific, and avoid any mention of compensation or prestige as a primary driver.
Saying 'Mas malaki kasi ang sweldo sa finance' is a red flag because it suggests you have not thought about the actual work. Replace it with one concrete task from finance, like building a three-statement model, and explain why that task intrigues you.
Situation
In my second year, I had to choose between majoring in Finance or Marketing and I was genuinely torn because I enjoyed both our introductory courses.
Task
I needed a clear, evidence-based reason for choosing finance that went beyond salary expectations or family pressure.
Action
I volunteered as treasurer for our university organization and compared that experience with a marketing project where I designed a campaign for a local coffee shop. I tracked which tasks gave me more energy and where I produced better results with less frustration.
Result
The treasurer work, where I reconciled receipts and built a simple budget tracker, felt more satisfying and used my Excel skills more than the creative campaign, so I chose finance.
Make the career choice based on the specific tasks you enjoy doing, not just the prestige of the field.
Write your own answer, then get instant AI feedback graded against:
Get AI feedback on your answer — free.
3 free AI-graded answers + 1 free mock interview, no card needed.
Sign Up FreeAlready have an account? Log in
Sign in to join the conversation.
No answers shared yet — be the first to show how you'd approach this.