UBS interview questions

UBS Interview Process

The interview process at UBS consists of:

• First round interview and assessment, which includes:
  • Competency based interview
  • Numerical Test

• Assessment Day consisting of:
  • Group exercise
  • Interview
  • Presentation

First Round Interview & Assessment

UBS offer the following tips for interview on their website, and offer a good insight into the core competencies expected of all employees at UBS.

• Be prepared
• Use your contacts
• Build a relationship
• Make the right impression
• Don't panic
• Be honest
• Play to your strengths
• Use your initiative
• Show passion

First Interview

The interview is entirely competency based. You will be required to provide examples of when you have:

• Worked in a team
• Shown commitment to working in banking
• Been motivated to complete a task, and when you have motivated others
• When you have been successful in completing a task
• When you have been disappointed in failing a task

You will want to discuss experiences you had at university, work and volunteering, explaining how you handled each scenario and what qualities you developed through the experience, and finally what you would bring to UBS.

You will also be asked:

• Why UBS?
• Why your chosen business area?

Numerical Test

The numerical test is demanding. It is 35 minutes long and consists of 40 questions. Move quickly and accurately and ensure you move on as soon as the allocated time for the question is up. The test is designed by SHL.

Assessment Day

The assessment day consists of:

• Group exercise
• Second interview
• Presentation

Group Exercise

You will be allocated into a group of 6 candidates. You will each be given some information about the scenario which you will have to discuss and have 10 minutes to read it alone.

You will have to discuss the marketing strategy for launching a new credit card for a financial services company and how to spend the marketing budget (which will be approximately one million pounds).

Half way through the group exercise, your team will be presented with an urgent email pointing out some regulatory concerns regarding marketing the credit card.

The group discussion will last 35 minutes and you will be closely observed by graduate recruitment assessors throughout.

Second Interview

The second interview, like the first, is a competency based interview. It differs from the first only in that you will be assessed against competencies not yet covered in the first interview.

Presentation

You will be given a case study on the operational problems of a company and you will then have 45 minutes to prepare a response by yourself. You will be asked to present this response to a manager for no more than 10 minutes. You will need to explain, or convince the company, that developing a new strategy or setting up a new system (such as the implementation of a client database) will help solve their problems. This presentation will be followed by a question and answer session related where you can reasonably expect whatever you have said to be heavily scrutinised and criticised. Make sure you speak clearly and logically and back up your arguments.

No technical or outside knowledge not given during the case study is required.