Congratulations on getting an HSBC Interview.
We can all agree interviews are stressful and competition is intense.
However, you can ace the HSBC Interview with a small amount of preparation.
Here we will discuss how to successfully answer HSBC Bank Interview Questions.
These questions will help you, regardless if you are on an HSBC Telephone Interview or an HSBC Face to face interview.
Please note these are practice interview questions and we are not affiliated with the company mentioned in this post.
HSBC Interview Questions and Answers
1. What can you tell us about HSBC?
About HSBC
- Sir Thomas Sutherland founded “The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank” in 1865.
- HSBC stands for Hong Kong Shanghai Business Corporation.
- It is the world’s seventh-largest bank by total assets.
- The bank has four business groups which are: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, and Global Private Banking.
- HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations serving around 38 million customers worldwide.
- The company is on the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- The world headquarters are in Canary Wharf, London.
- HSBC Direct is a telephone/online direct banking operation that attracts customers through mortgages, accounts, and savings.
- There are around 3,900 offices in 66 countries and territories.
- They employ 229,000 full-time staff around the world.
- HSBC speaks 144 different languages.
2. Tell us about yourself?
Here’s the deal!
Answering this question correctly is probably your best chance to sell yourself.
First, tell the interviewer how your past and present work experience will benefit you and the bank if offered the position.
Then tell the interviewer what you are currently doing which in turn will also benefit you and the bank.
For example, suppose you are on an HSBC Customer Service Interview.
Sample answer:
In the past, I worked in retail and I was the first point of contact for the customer. I gained lots of customer service experience. Currently, I am studying business administration, and in the future, I hope to work in banking and finance.
Here the interviewer knows that you have previous customer service experience. The interviewer also knows your current studies and your future goals align with HSBC’s line of business.
Tip! Studies have revealed that when it is your turn to speak or answer a question you should not plan on speaking for more than two minutes. (Source – What Color is Your Parachute)
3. Why do you want to work for HSBC?
- State you would like a career in banking and feel HSBC is a great place to grow your career.
- Say you would be proud to work for a company that was mentioned in The Times Top 50 Employees for Women.
- Check out many of the awards HSBC has won and reference several of them as you why you want to work there.
4. Where do you see yourself in five years?
- If you don’t have a five-year plan, take a look at other banking jobs and find a job you can see yourself doing. This will sound like you are committed to staying at HSBC for the long haul.
5. Why should I hire you?
Answering this question is easy!
Have a second read of the job description and find key skills and experience they are looking for and reassure the interviewer that you have those skills!
For example, suppose you were on an HSBC Customer Service Executive Interview:
The job description states:
- Acquire knowledge of client’s products and procedures (skill required: quick learner).
- Efficiently handle inbound and outbound calls to resolve overseas customer queries (skill required: strong communication skills).
- Electronically process data and respond to customer queries pertaining to banking transactions from client’s offices across the globe (skill required: works well under pressure).
- Experience in customer service in any industry will be an advantage (experience: customer service experience).
So when asked why should I hire you state
At my previous job I worked in retail and gained valuable customer service experience. The job allowed me to develop my communication skills and proved I was able to work well under pressure when tight deadlines when required.
Possible answers are:
- State you work well under pressure.
- Mention you pay great attention to detail.
- Say you have excellent communication skills.
- Mention you are a great team player.
6. What is your greatest weakness?
- It is OK to state you have weaknesses but preferably not one required for the position.
- You can always state a weakness and mention the steps you are taking to overcome it.
- For example, one of my greatest weaknesses is my fear of public speaking. I am currently taking a course to overcome this obstacle and I feel much more comfortable talking to large groups.
7. What is your greatest strength?
- The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that you have which directly correlate with the job you are applying for. Therefore review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.
8. Questions to ask in an HSBC Interview?
- What do you like best about working here?
- How do you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
- What about this position is the most important?
- How do you measure my success, and what could I do to meet your expectations?
- Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do to get up to speed quickly?
- What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?
HSBC Interview Tips
- Arrive 10 minutes early.
- Don’t speak too fast as you will sound nervous.
- Don’t speak too slowly as you will sound boring.
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Learn as much as possible about the company. Don’t be afraid of the annual reports.
- If you find any negative press about the bank don’t mention this.
- Dress formally at the bank even if you are on an HSBC Freshers Interview.
- If you are on an HSBC Telephone Interview make sure you find a quiet room with no distractions.