2010 London Summer Internship Offer

E小娃娃

I'm so happy that I could get this offer, hope I can share some experience with you.


Telephone Interview:
It's easy to pass HSBC's telephone interview... cuz they've outsourced their interview to run by other agent, so the guy will only ask some standard competency question.

Some common questions are like:
Why banking? What have u done to get knowledge in this industry, especially to learn abt HSBC?
Example of: teamwork, work under pressure, learn new skill, multitasking, persuade others, etc.  
Those are standard questions but u may also be asked other questions, just make sure to have some solid example and state it in a logical way.

If u are successful at this stage, u will get their email soon, usually within 1 hour. BUT that doesn't mean u will definitely be invited to AC. They will review all the applications of those who passed the telephone interview again and decide who will be invited to AC.

AC:
There are 8 ppl in a single AC.
AC starts at 7:30, activities include:3 interviews(1 motivational interview, 2 technical interview); Case Study Presentation and Q&A; Numerical test.
There is no group discussion.

Motivational interview(30 minutes) = competency interview. You'll be asked some questions similar to those in telephone interview.

Technical interview 1(30 min.) consists of topics relating to Understanding of HSBC + Global Market (Macro econ, impact of some government policy, etc)+ Global Banking (company financing, investment decision, etc).

Technical interview 2(30 min.) = either competency question or technical interview 1, all depends on the division you are applying and the interviewer. It's quite random.

Case Study Presentation (45 min preparation time+10 min. presentation+15 min. Q&A): You'll be given a material about an artificial bank quite similar to HSBC itself. You need to present its financial performance and give strategic solutions to its future development.
My tips on Case study: The materials you'll need to read is about 20 pages. Quite lots of information, some articles some figures. You really need to watch on time!!
And there is NO flip-chart for you to write down as visual aid, so all you can do it to TALK to the manager your solution. So, make sure it's logical and easy to follow!!!

Numerical: It's quite easy for Chinese. Standard SHL question. 20 min. 20 questions. It's Ok if you cannot finish. I only finish about 15 questions but still passed, so there is really no point to worry about this.

Take it easy, just be yourself!
Before my AC, i've already got an offer from JPMorgan, so I'm really relaxed and didn't perform well in the AC. I've said lots of "I don't know" in interview, showing that I wanna give up, but.... I don't know why they still give me an offer. Maybe they think I'm relaxed and honest. So you really need to be yourself, not what you think they want you to be.

That's all about it, and if you're successful, you'll be contact on the same day or the next day.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. :28) Good luck!!!