HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment: Guide and Tips (2024)

A List of HSBC Assessments Available for Practicing in 2024

• HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment
• 4 Micro Exercises
• HSBC Apta Values Assessment Guide and Practice
• HSBC Online Immersive Assessment (Cognitive + Values)

HSBC is one of the world’s largest financial services and banking organisations, serving around 40 million customers across 63 countries around the world.

Around 40,000 of its 219,000 employees are in the UK, with a large number at the Global Headquarters in Canary Wharf in London or the UK HQ in Birmingham, and the rest the local banks and offices throughout the country.

With internships, work experience and apprenticeships available for students, and graduate schemes across all business areas, the early career opportunities available at HSBC make it a destination for people looking to get a great start to their career in finance.

There are plenty of different types of job for the experienced professional too.

Employment at HSBC comes with many benefits. As well as a competitive salary, employees also get:

• Private healthcare
• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
• Access to the HSBC University, which is an online learning resource that has more than 20,000 courses to help you upskill and get qualified in different areas

The recruitment process at HSBC depends on the role that you are applying for, with a slightly different process for graduate placements than for experienced professionals.

This article will focus on the online job simulation, which is not quite the same as the normal situational judgement-type assessments that you might come across in other job application processes.

You’ll find some tips designed to help you perform at your best during the HSBC job simulation test and get the results you need to be taken to the next stage in the interview process.

What is the HSBC Application and Recruitment Process?

The application process for HSBC, one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations, may vary depending on the specific role and location.

However, here is a general outline of the HSBC application and recruitment process:

Online Application

The first step is to visit the HSBC careers website or job portal and search for available job opportunities.

Candidates can create an account and submit an online application by uploading their resume or CV and completing the required application form.

Screening and Assessment

After submitting the application, HSBC's recruitment team reviews the applications to shortlist candidates who meet the basic requirements for the role.

This may involve screening the resumes and assessing the candidate's qualifications, skills and experience.

Online Assessments

Depending on the role, candidates may be invited to complete online assessments, which can include psychometric tests, situational judgment tests or technical assessments.

These assessments help HSBC evaluate the candidate's aptitude, skills and suitability for the role.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates are typically invited for interviews.

HSBC may conduct various types of interviews, including:

Telephone/Video Interviews

This initial interview may be conducted by HR or a hiring manager to discuss the candidate's background, experience, skills and motivations.

Face-to-Face Interviews

Candidates who pass the initial interviews may be invited for in-person interviews at an HSBC office or branch.

These interviews may involve one or more rounds, with interviewers assessing the candidate's technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, behavioral competencies and fit within the HSBC culture.

Panel Interviews

For certain roles or senior positions, candidates may face panel interviews where multiple interviewers ask questions and evaluate their responses collectively.

Assessment Centers (for some roles)

HSBC may organize assessment centers for specific roles or graduate programs. Assessment centers involve a series of exercises, group activities, case studies, presentations and interviews to assess various skills and competencies.

Background Checks

HSBC conducts background checks for candidates who receive a conditional job offer.

These checks may include verification of employment history, education credentials, criminal records and credit checks (if relevant to the role).

Job Offer

If the candidate successfully completes the interview and background check stages, they may receive a formal job offer from HSBC.

This offer will outline the terms and conditions of employment, including salary, benefits, start date and any other relevant details.

What Is the HSBC Hiring Process Like?

If you are looking for a role at HSBC, you can choose to work in one of the following business areas:

• Commercial banking
• Wealth and personal banking
• Global banking and markets
• Global functions
• Digital business services

HSBC’s specific purpose is, 'Opening up a world of opportunity'. It also has values that all employees are expected to demonstrate.

Keeping these values in mind throughout the application process will help you to answer questions and present yourself in the most appropriate way.

HSBC’s values are:

• We value difference
• We succeed together
• We take responsibility
• We get it done

The actual hiring process has several stages, some of which are interchangeable depending on the type of job that you are applying for and what level the role is:

• Initial screening
• Online aptitude tests
• Interview stages (telephone and face-to-face)
• Assessment centre

Initial Screening

The initial screening process begins with a CV, which is sometimes accompanied with an application form.

The CV should:

• Be tailored to fit the position that you are applying for
• Highlight your most relevant qualifications and experience
• Demonstrate your skills and competencies that match the essential criteria on the job description

The application form and CV are often the first glimpse that the recruiting team will have of who you are, so it is important to ensure that you show them you are the right person for the job (and that there are no spelling errors).

Online Aptitude Tests

If you make it through the initial screening, you will be invited to take some online aptitude tests.

The invitation will be emailed to you, and you will need to take the assessments online at your own convenience, but within a certain time frame.

The tests you need to take will depend on the role you have applied for.

Experienced Professionals

Experienced professionals may be required to take:

• Verbal reasoning assessment
• Numerical reasoning assessment
• Logical reasoning assessment
• Situational judgement test
• Work behaviour assessment

Graduates

For graduates, the aptitude tests are split into two different sections:

• Immersive online assessment – This is a combination of psychometric test questions covering verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and logical reasoning questions, as well as situational strengths.

Created by Cappfinity, the assessment lasts about an hour.

• Job simulation – In this assessment, you will be provided with tasks to undertake, based on work-relevant scenarios. You’ll need to analyse data, provide written answers and record video responses.

Interview Stages (Telephone and Face-to-Face)

Interviewing at HSBC can include any of the following:

• A pre-recorded video interview
• A telephone interview
• A virtual interview
• A more traditional face-to-face interview.

These interview types are usually used in the hiring process for experienced professionals.

Assessment Centre

For graduates, the interview stage is usually part of the assessment centre, a half-day group assessment that is sometimes referred to as a ‘Super Day’.

You are likely to take part in several group and solo exercises as well as strengths-based interviews with the recruitment team and hiring managers.

What Is the Online Job Simulation at HSBC Like?

For many applicants, the online job simulation is the least familiar section of the recruitment process.

If you perform well enough at the Immersive Assessment stage, you will be invited to take the job simulation test.

It is comprised of several different questions that include fictional data about customers or about the job role that you have applied for.

This numerical data is often supported with emails, memos or other communications, and you will be asked to analyse the data, create reports and provide updates for your fictional colleagues.

You will need to create long written answers (crafting a report or writing an email) and some of the answers will require you to make a video recording.

The job simulation assessment puts you as the applicant into a work-relevant scenario, which gives the recruitment team some insight into the way you would behave at work if you got the job.

It is also a useful tool for you to see what the role will entail on a day-to-day basis so you can get a real feel for your own future success.

One of the most challenging parts of the job simulation are the questions that require a recorded response; you might be asked to talk through the way you would approach a problem or how you would prioritise your workload when you have conflicting deadlines, for example.

This will require a working camera, speakers and microphone. There are practice questions at the beginning of the assessment so you will have an opportunity to make sure that your tech is working properly and that you can be both seen and heard when you record your answers.

The job simulation assessment lasts about 50 minutes.

There are four different types of question in the job simulation assessment:

• Video interview – These interviews require you to record your responses to a question, usually about your situational judgement skills. You’ll have two minutes to prepare your answer, so use this time to make notes and structure the way you want to respond. You will then have two minutes of recording time to answer the question.

• Situational judgement – Using realistic workplace scenarios, you will need to rank the possible actions that could be taken to solve the problem according to how you would be likely to deal with it, from 1 (most likely) to 5 (least likely).

• Personality profiling – In this section, you will be given a list of different personality and behavioural traits and you need to think about how they relate to you at work. This is a self-reporting exercise with a two-sided scale.

• Free text – This is where your written communication is assessed. You will need to read and understand an email, from a colleague for example, and create a coherent response to the given information, sticking within the 3,000-character count.

What Happens After the HSBC Job Simulation Assessment?

If you are successful in the job simulation assessment, then the next stage in the recruitment process will be the Assessment Centre. You will be contacted by the recruitment team within a couple of weeks to arrange attendance at the next possible date.

This is usually a half-day of exercises and interviews, which can take place remotely or in person. At the Assessment Centre there will be other candidates, some for other roles. The recruitment team will be looking at your soft skills, like communication, teamwork and leadership as you go through different group and individual exercises.

At the Assessment Centre you might also have different types of interviews. These might include questions on your commercial awareness, what motivates you and what your strengths and competencies are.

Top Tips to Get Hired at HSBC

If you're interested in getting hired at HSBC, one of the world's leading banking and financial services organizations, here are some top tips to increase your chances of success:

• Research HSBC: Take the time to thoroughly research HSBC, including its values, mission, products, services and any recent news or developments.

• Align Your Skills and Experience: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the skills, experiences and achievements that are most relevant to the position you're applying for at HSBC.

• Demonstrate Your Customer Focus: Highlight any experience you have in providing excellent customer service, resolving issues or building relationships with clients.

• Showcase Your Financial Knowledge: Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications, or practical experience in areas such as banking, investments, risk management or compliance.

• Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration: HSBC values teamwork and collaboration, so showcase your ability to work effectively in teams and contribute to collective goals.

• Develop Global Awareness: HSBC operates in various countries and serves diverse customer bases. Emphasize your global awareness, cultural sensitivity and ability to work in cross-cultural environments.

• Prepare for Interviews: Research common interview questions and prepare thoughtful and well-structured responses.

• Network and Seek Referrals: Leverage your professional network and connections to explore potential opportunities at HSBC.

• Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Stay informed about the latest trends, innovations, and regulatory changes in the banking and finance industry.

• Follow Up: After interviews or assessments, send a thank-you email or note to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

As one of the biggest banking and financial organisations in the world, there are lots of opportunities for both early careers and experienced professionals at HSBC – and that means that the application process needs to be robust enough to filter out all but the best applicants.

The use of both immersive aptitude assessments and the job simulation test in the recruitment process for graduate programmes at HSBC gives the recruitment team lots of information about how successful the candidates will be if they are chosen for the role or the scheme.

For candidates, the job simulation can be nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to recording video answers to questions.

With the right preparation and an understanding of what the recruitment team are looking for in each question (the core values of the business and the specific skills, aptitudes and competencies needed for the role), you can answer the questions with confidence and demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the role.