Residual Risk

Term from Risk Management industry explained for recruiters

Residual Risk is the remaining risk that exists after a company has put safety measures in place. Think of it like wearing a seatbelt while driving - while the seatbelt reduces risk, there's still some risk left when driving. Risk management professionals help companies identify, measure, and keep track of these remaining risks. They make sure the leftover risks are at acceptable levels and recommend additional safety measures if needed. Other terms that mean similar things are "remaining risk," "net risk," or "retained risk."

Examples in Resumes

Developed and implemented methods to measure Residual Risk across multiple business units

Created monthly reports tracking Residual Risk levels for senior management

Led team initiatives to reduce Residual Risk through improved control measures

Typical job title: "Risk Management Professionals"

Also try searching for:

Risk Manager Risk Analyst Risk Assessment Specialist Risk Control Officer Risk Management Consultant Enterprise Risk Manager Operational Risk Analyst

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you determine if residual risk levels are acceptable for an organization?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they consider company risk appetite, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Should mention experience in presenting risk assessments to senior management and developing risk tolerance frameworks.

Q: Can you describe a situation where you successfully reduced residual risk in a complex project?

Expected Answer: Should provide examples of leading risk reduction initiatives, measuring outcomes, and implementing sustainable solutions across multiple departments or projects.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you monitor and report on residual risk?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for tracking risk metrics, creating risk reports, and communicating findings to stakeholders in clear, non-technical language.

Q: What factors do you consider when evaluating control measures for reducing risk?

Expected Answer: Should discuss cost-benefit analysis, effectiveness of controls, resource requirements, and practical implementation challenges.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is residual risk and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that residual risk is the remaining risk after controls are in place, and why organizations need to monitor and manage it.

Q: What are some common methods for documenting residual risk?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of risk registers, risk matrices, and basic risk assessment documentation practices.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic risk assessment methods
  • Risk documentation and reporting
  • Understanding of control measures
  • Knowledge of risk management terminology

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Risk analysis and evaluation
  • Control effectiveness assessment
  • Risk monitoring and reporting
  • Stakeholder communication

Senior (5+ years)

  • Enterprise risk strategy development
  • Risk appetite framework design
  • Senior management reporting
  • Risk management program oversight

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain risk concepts in simple terms
  • Lack of experience with risk assessment methods
  • No knowledge of industry regulations and standards
  • Poor understanding of control measures and their effectiveness