Banking Interview Questions & Answers

There where 3 stages to the interview process after an initial CV and cover letter approval, which were:

Initial interview
The initial interview was undertaken by junior members of the team, employees who had recently finished the grad program themselves. In this interview they asked questions around my CV to gather greater detail about what I had done during my time in education and also work experience. There was also a couple of standard competency based questions, e.g. 'Describe a time you recently working in a team and how did it go?'. This interview was relatively informal and was more of a get to know you type interview.

Online test
After being successful from the initial interview they sent me some standard online tests to do on numeracy and verbal reasoning.

Second round interview
The final stage was a second round interview with 2 more senior members of the bank, again they asked more competency based questions however this time it was more formal and harder questioning that required more details explanations and reasonings. This interview also included a question about the reasons that I applied to their specific bank and reasons for wanting to do wealth management.
Finally the interview was followed up with a quick brief from the HR team asking a few questions on your knowledge of the bank, also giving a description of the role and the salary and benefits.

Describe a time you didn't agree with a manager?
What are your reasons for wanting to do wealth management?
Describe a time you work with a difficult person?

Make sure you have a very good reason for wanting to do wealth management and also be able to back up what you have claimed as your reason.
Make sure you come dressed very smart as it is an exclusive bank and you need to look presentable.
read the news and relevant press around the business sector and maybe prepare a few questions to ask them at the end to show you know what your talking about.

NA

Initially, after doing the respective entrance tests, I received a call from their team in Glasgow where I applied for my placement. They were very friendly and courteous on the phone and wanted to know why I decided to apply for a career at Morgan Stanley, why in Operations and Why in Glasgow instead of London or other markets? Thy were also interested in my background as I came as an an applicant with a Canadian undergraduate qualification and a prospective UK postgraduate masters qualification. They were also interested to know what I knew about the company and what challenges would be up ahead in the industry. I also came in through an employee referral due to my contacts so that gave me the edge I believe in being able to convince them to take me on, which they did. About a week or two after the first informal chat (held in May), they scheduled me for a telephone interview with one of their Team managers/heads. I cannot emphasize the role of preparation, awareness of the STAR method and the ability to back up whatever you tell them as they will guage the authenticity of your statements. Don't feel you need to go into it immediately after the assessor asks you questions. Rather, wait and supply an appropriate response, even if you were like me and were referring to your notes on a notebook. Speak loudly and clearly and be very articulate in what you are trying to say.

After my first competenecy telephone interview, I was given the opportunity to attend an assessment centre in Glasgow, which they fully compensate you for if you make it to this stage. Bring a passport and/or License on the day for ID purposes and be prepared in your competency responses as you will not be permitted to bring in your notes for it. However, as there was a group exercise component, which they gave you the scenario beforehand relating to 4 different scenarios (1 chosen on the assessment day), you are allowed to bring in your notes for the group exercise. I find, however, being aware of the company outlook and general knowledge of the company will come in handy on this date.

Whilst the questions themselves are strictly confidential and vary to each assessor, you are tested on the following compentencies

Control
??? Demonstrates a clear understanding of the business they support
??? Understands what is important and prioritizes accordingly
??? Ability to explain risk management and articulate their role in identifying and escalating risk issues
??? Understands the importance of following defined procedures and completing the appropriate checklists
??? Proactively escalates issues as they occur
??? Does not compromise control to comply with clients requests
Commercial
??? Demonstrates an understanding of client???s (internal and external) requirements
??? Responds to client requests with accuracy and speed
??? Takes personal responsibility for resolving client issues, is able to clearly escalate cause and resolution
??? Demonstrates accountability for actions and errors
??? Actively seeks opportunities / challenges broader than current scope of role
??? Actively seeks out new opportunities for self development and career development
??? Develops a full understanding of team???s performance metrics and how this can impact the wider business environment.
People
??? Helps to create a positive work environment that builds trust, finds innovative ways to improve team work
??? Actively participates in team meetings, raising issues, questioning others and offering solutions/ideas.
??? Shows a willingness to help others in the team with tasks and issues
??? Proactively ensures upward and peer communication of initiative, issues and successes
??? Takes responsibility for their own personal goals and the delivery of the team???s goals.

It's American, not British, but housed in the UK - so be aware of the role of globalization. Don't let on that you intend to relocate to their offices in New York or Toronto - stick to the original location (Glasgow) even if it's remote to your current location (London). Be smart, be generous, and be the best you can be as competition is fierce in a post 2008 market crash era.

Be aware of the STAR method
Be aware of how you come across to the interview panel - for a North American whose voice and behaviour is confident and competent compared to his British counterparts, you sometimes have to "tone it down" and not appear to enthusiastic, even if it's an American firm you are applying to as it is British people who are interviewing you and it is predominately a conservative environment akin to British poeple. Stay postive, however and maintain good eye ocontact and dress for success. It's also best to have a great sleep regimen and diet regimen weeks into the assessment centre so you look refrshed and healthy.

Be proactive however, in your approach to meeting people as the strangers (students) in the lobby, also taking the assessment centre with you, are the ones probably who are going to be working on the group assignment with you.

Be prepared to work with candidates from the E.U and being able to work with people from various skill sets.

My initial telephone interview lasted around 20-30 minutes for my role of Commercial Banking Management Trainee. The interviewer was very polite, friendly and helpful. During the interview I had to provide an example for each of HSBC's 3 values; open, dependable and connected. After this I was asked why I wanted to join HSBC and why I was suited to them and my job role. The interview was very competency based. Upon passing the interview have your national insurance number present as they will conduct checks on you to ensure you are right for the position.

To provide a detailed description of how I fit HSBC's three values: open, dependable and connected.

To learn a detailed description of how you fit HSBC's three values: open, dependable and connected. You must provide very detailed descriptions using the STAR method. After this I was asked why I wanted to join HSBC so prepare something for this and a reason why you was suited to them and your job role. The interview was very competency based.

Yet to have one, scheduled for next week

The interview was done via a teleconference as the position was based in Luxembourg. The interview process was really good, everybody was quite prompt and the atmosphere was quite tranquil and comfortable, so much so that I did not even feel the interview time go by. The questions were quite challenging in so far as technical knowledge went as it was my very first interview, however that was a reflection on my poor preparation. Other than that the interviewer was quite humble, polite and jovial.

The most difficult question, I found were the technical question and the one where they asked about weakness, because I am quite a self aware person and I had never contemplated upon my weaknesses. However it was good to have been put on the spot.

Always be prompt, if not make sure you phone in and let them know. Be polite, courteous and confident not arrogant but confident. Do not blag any answers if you don't know.

I have had no experience of assessment centres as yet, all of my interviews have been telephone or face to face.

I applied to HSBC through SEO London. I was first given a telephone interview, which focused mainly on commercial awareness. The questions included: What are the current issues facing HSBC? What will the world look like in 2050? How do these issues impact the division you will work in? What skills make you suitable for the division? The interview lasted around 35 minutes and was with a member of the HR team. The interview was very quickly completed as there is a time limit.

The most difficult question was: what will the world look like in 2050? This needed one to touch upon aspects of finance, economics, technology and health. The candidate had to demonstrate an understanding of the real world issues. Make sure you point out the HSBC has strength in the emerging markets and tie this into your answer.

Make sure you stay calm and ensure that when you present, everything you say is relevant. It's easy to fall into the trap of rambling but it's more effective to be clear and concise. Choose a 2 or three pieces of information to focus on as opposed to cramming 8 points into a short time slot.

At the AC, we were first given a group exercise where we had to work as a team to recommend business initiatives. We then had 45 minutes to draft a presentation based on market information. We then gave a recommendation to a senior employee on how we could capitalize on the opportunities evident in the information pack. We were quizzed around how we chose our answer, and were asked to explain our reasoning process.

The first stage was an application form followed by two online tests, firstly a verbal reasoning test, which if passed lead to a logical reasoning test. The second test was the harder of the two as the time limit was quite short for finding the patterns in the sequences of shapes. Once I had passed both of these I was then invited for a phone interview which lasted 25 minutes with a member of the recruitment team. We started with a conversation about my academic record, and then I was asked a series of competancy questions about why I would suit the role and what skills would allow me to do in the role. I was called 45 minutes later to invite me to an assessment centre 5 days later. This lasted 4 hours and was split into 3 tasks, individual, group and interview. In the individual task we were given 60'minutes to read some information and prepare a presentation, after which we were asked questions on. This was chalenging, but at the same time interesting as it gave me a very good impression of what the job would entail. After this, we had a group task in which we had to rank pieces of information in order of priority. This was interesting, and it paid dividends tomget to know each of the other candidates before the task. Thirdly, there was an interview one on one. This was 45 minutes long and was competancy based and then around 20 minutes to ask questions. After the day, I was called 2 hours later to be offered the role.

Why would you suit this role rather than the other candidates? This was difficult as I did not know the other condidates strenghts.

Research the company very well, as well as try to really heighten your commercial awareness. It may be difficult due to nerves, but as it is a long day, with intense scrutiny placed upon you, it is very advisible to try and eat either beforehand, or some of the refreshments that were provided. When you do the online tests, make sure you are in a quiet room with no distractions as any lapse in concentration will affect your scores considerably.

It was very well run, and owing to the company who it was for, was very professional. The other candidates had similar qualifications so it meant we had a lot to talk about as we had plenty in common. The first task was very daunting when I first started to prepqre for it, but once I had calmed my nerves, it was enjoyable.

The interview was meant to last between 30-50 minutes and it was bang on time. The lady called me at 12:20 exactly (I was expecting there to be a +-5minute delay, but their time keeping is spectacular. She went through the structure of the interview with me and asked me if I had any questions then, but I said I'd prefer to ask anything at the end of the interview.
With every question based on HSBC's 3 values (Openness, Integrity and Empathy), she did give me a few prompters and she was overall a good interviewer as she gave me feedback at the end. I didn't get the job though and she emphasized that it was because I didn't elaborate as much as they would have liked. I saw this as me not bragging, but advise: brag about all your achievements and how you've done it because that really is what employers want to know- they want to know you are up to whatever task they put you up to.

"Describe a time you have shown integrity and the processes /steps that helped you achieve this"

Make sure you outline any processes you took to achieve whatever it is they ask you about. They want to know you can plan out properly and follow a schedule.
Read about the company before the interview so you can highlight how you feel you would fit into the company

I did not attend an assessment centre

The process began with filling out an application form requiring basic information such as education details, employment history as well as a CV upload.

Shortly after this I was notified through email to carry out a series of online exercises. These included a numerical assessment and a verbal reasoning test. The tests last between 20-25 minutes and allowed you to practice beforehand, without time conditions, to get an idea of what to expect.

The interview was part of the assessment of the assessment center (see below)

Questions regarding in depth details of credit risk,
What will you struggle with most in this role?

Make sure at lunch you network with members of staff

The next stage of the application process was an invitation to an assessment center and a request to answer an online personality test prior to attending. The personality test is straight forward and is to get an idea of what sort of individual you are, this had a time limit of 25 minutes but doesn't require that much time as it is multiple choice and quite easy to answer.

The assessment center was between 10am -3pm and we were given a schedule of the days event. It began with an introduction to the organisation and a tour of the office, we were then split into 2 groups, one group would began with interviews, the other would take part in a group exercise.

The interviews consisted of 2 separate 45 minute long interviews, one with a member of HR, the other with a member of staff from the department to which you applied. These interviews went over applicants CVs, motivations to apply and knowledge of the company.

While the group was undertaking these interviews the other group had to undergo a group activity. This involved being given incomplete data about a client and the issues they are facing, then being given a task to describe why they have these issues and any recommendations we could put forward to deal with these. The activity didn't require us to present back these recommendations, just to discuss as a group and come to a conclusion. At around halfway through the discussion we were presented with some new information and had to incorporate this into our decision and adjust our recommendations accordingly.

Once each group had finished their task, we would then go to lunch with the interviewers and the HR staff, we were given chance to network and talk to staff in this break to gain an insight into life at the bank.

The first round was a single one-on-one interview with a senior member of the finance team (in my case an Executive Director). All questions were competency based, using my CV as a background to delve further into my experience and test my suitability. No industry specific knowledge was required.

"What is your worst character trait? What are you doing to overcome this?" "Give an example of where you have presented information in order to make something happen/persuade someone to take a different point of view?"

The group exercise cannot be prepared for - just be in the right mindset to work as a team and keep an eye on time. The interviews should be prepared thoroughly, use the information from their careers site as that will really help.

In the final round, we began with a group activity involving all 5 candidates. We were asked to organise a charity night at a cinema and given a pack containing various quotes and e-mail communications. From this, we had 45 minutes as a group to cover all aspects of the evening - planning, finances, projected earnings for the charity, etc. After this, we each had another two one-on-one interviews with senior members of the finance team. Both lasted 45 minutes and used only competency-based questions.

Firstly you had to fill in a an application form stating which statement applied best to you approximately 30 mins to complete. After passing the initial stage a telephone interview was conducted which consisted of an numerical test which you had to pass in order for you to continue with the whole telephone interview. The whole telephone interview lasted approximately one hour.
The next stage of the interview consisted of competency questions related to scenarios which were from past work experiences. Once that was passed an interview was then scheduled.

Describe a time built a relationship with a customer, what was the outcome, how did this come about and finally what was the benefit of this?

Read up on the company on company website, search 'competency interview questions' really helps to talk about practical examples that has happened to you at work in the past and current job. Be enthusiastic when talking about the job role as they want to feel you ultimately want to be successful in application process.

I was given competency questions that were split into four sections which lasted approximately an hour. Followed by a timed practical example of a customer wanting to travel with a family and were wanting to book a holiday.