Application guide
Application guide
Our application process enables you to show us your behavioural and cognitive skills, so we can ensure you’re a good match for the programme you’ve applied for – and set you up for success.
What to expect
Three-step process:
- 10-15 mins: Online application form
- 90 mins: Online assessment
- 3 hours: Assessment centre (Super Days in the US)
For insight and work experience programmes, stage three is usually an online interview.
You’ll meet our people and simulate the work you’d be doing, so you can be confident we’re the right choice for you. We’re there for you every step of the way with online support, practice assessments, feedback and adjustments.
Step by step application guide
- 1
Apply
Answer simple eligibility questions and potentially provide a copy of your CV.
- 2
Advise of adjustments
Tell us about any adjustments you may require during the application process.
- 3
Access support
Join our Candidate Zone which will guide you through the application process.
- 4
Be prepared
Use our Practice Zone (opens in new window) to familiarise yourself with the assessments.
- 5
Show your skills
Complete work-based assessments to display your cognitive and behavioural skills.
- 6
Continue your development
Use the feedback email to know where you excelled and where to improve.
- 7
Get ready
Reflect on why you applied, the activities you’re good at and prepare questions to ask.
- 8
Show your skills
Complete exercises to further demonstrate your skills and interest in the area you’ve applied to.
- 9
Meet the team
Answer questions from the team you’ll be working with and ask your own.
Adjustments and support
We want you to perform at your best. If you’re neurodiverse, or have a disability or long-term health condition that may affect your ability to show us your full potential at any stage in the process, let us know on your application form. If you have queries before you apply, contact your local recruitment team.
Assessments and accessibility
What our assessments may involve:
- Different question types and formats, including audio or video content, mock emails, data tables and graphs, or written articles
- Time-recorded assessments or time-limited video responses
How we make them accessible:
- Our assessments have been tested for use with commonly used screen-readers and assistive software
- Closed captions and transcripts are included for all video and audio content
- You can zoom in or out of content on screen
- There is a minimum font size of 16px for all text content
- You can navigate all assessments using only a keyboard
- There is clear labelling of all charts and graphs with no need to distinguish between colours
I’m not sure which programme to apply to?
If you’re applying to one of our internship or graduate programmes, our Skills Matcher (opens in new window) can identify the programmes that best suit your skills and work preferences. It takes just five minutes to complete. In general, we’re interested in your behavioural and cognitive skills, not what you studied. In instances where we do require a specific academic background, this is included on the detailed programme description, which is available on the website when we open applications.
What are the minimum academic requirements?
Academic requirements vary depending on the programme and location you’re interested in. They’re listed on the detailed programme descriptions that you’ll find in the apply section of the website when applications open.
I have applied before. Can I re-apply?
If you applied in a previous recruitment cycle and year, then yes, you can apply again. For the best chance of success, consider why you may not have been successful previously so you can work on any skills or development gaps.
Can I defer my entry for a year?
We don’t encourage deferred entry for our programmes but will consider individual requests on a case-by-case basis. One thing to be aware of is that deferred offers are not guaranteed as they’ll always depend on future hiring needs.
Do you sponsor visa applications?
Our ability to sponsor visas is dependent on country legal requirements and business need.
Any instances where we are open to receiving applications from students who will require visa sponsorship will be stated in the eligibility criteria on the detailed programme description. This is viewable at the point of application.
If you need a visa for your role and we can offer sponsorship, we’ll be able to provide guidance and support during your application, but can’t advise you of your work eligibility status.
Any offer of employment will be subject to you gaining immigration approval before your start date and could be impacted by any legal changes affecting visa sponsorship in the location in which you have applied to work.
How do I contact HSBC if I have a question about my eligibility?
You can contact your local recruitment team who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
How can I learn more about HSBC and prepare for my application?
In addition to the information on our website, you could join one of our events where you can speak to our recruiters, graduates and apprentices to learn about opportunities and the assessment and selection process.
We also recommend that you make use of our Candidate Zone (opens in new window) to you know what to expect from our assessments.
Can I apply for more than one programme?
Sadly not, but we have lots of support to help you decide which programme to apply to. If you’re applying to one of our internship or graduate programmes, our Skills Matcher (opens in new window) can identify the programmes that best suit your skills and work preferences. It takes just five minutes to complete. We also encourage you to attend our careers events, where you can meet colleagues from across the bank and learn more about what they do.
I can’t find the programme I want to apply to.
Once a programme is open for applications you will find it listed on the Find a programme page.
Application opening dates vary for different programmes and markets. To be emailed when programmes open, join our Talent Community (opens in new window).
We don’t offer all programmes in all markets and in several locations our graduate programme places are filled via our internships.
In locations where internships are available, they are the best route to securing a graduate opportunity.
How will I know when I can apply for a programme?
Applications open for different programmes at different times. The best way to know when we open applications is to join our Talent Community (opens in new window). You will receive a monthly email which will advise you which programmes we are actively recruiting for.
When should I apply?
Applications open for different programmes at different times. Join our Talent Community (opens in new window) and we’ll email you to let you know when applications open.
We encourage you to apply as soon as you can, as we review applications on a rolling basis and may close a programme early if all vacancies are filled.
What information do I need to provide on my application form?
The application form takes around 10 minutes to complete. You may need to provide your CV or transcripts but there are no long written questions to complete – we just need to know the basics about you to check you’re eligible for the programme you’ve applied to. You’ll also be asked a few questions to help us report on and monitor equal opportunities in line with local requirements. These won’t be used to make hiring decisions, and you can choose not to share this information if you prefer.
Will I be interviewed in-person or virtually?
Our assessment process is mostly virtual, but final-stage interviews/assessment centres may happen in-person. This will be highlighted on the detailed programme description at the point of application.
What technical equipment do I need?
You can submit your application form via a mobile, tablet or desktop device. We recommend you use a laptop or tablet with strong internet access to complete your online assessments. This is because you’ll need to review different information sources.
To complete a video interview, you’ll need a laptop or tablet with a webcam. Our platform will help you do a system check to make sure your video and sound quality is good before you start the video interview questions.
What do the online assessments involve?
Depending on which market and programme you’re applying to, there’ll be one or two stages. Our online assessments are designed to give you the opportunity to see what it’s like working at HSBC and through real-life scenarios, assess how your skills align with the role you’ve applied for.
You’ll need to respond to questions in different formats that could include audio or visual content, including graphs or data tables, similar to what you might see if you were working at HSBC. You’ll also need to provide some short written and video responses so we can get to know you better. Each assessment will take around 40 minutes to complete.
What happens at an assessment centre?
These are mostly virtual but sometimes will be run in-person at one of our offices. You’ll meet HSBC employees and complete different interviews and exercises to showcase your skills. We suggest that do your research about HSBC and your chosen programme so you can clearly explain why you are interested in joining. The assessment centre usually runs for three hours and there are plenty of breaks.
Where will the final stage assessments and interviews be held if I’m based outside of the county or territory that I applied to?
In most cases you’ll be assessed virtually by senior business representatives at the office you applied to. If you need to attend an assessment centre in person, we’ll work with you to arrange everything in good time and in line with our travel reimbursement policy.
How quickly will I hear back once I have applied?
We’ll let you know the outcome of your online assessment within a couple of days. Due to the volume of applications we receive, creating an interview shortlist can take a couple of weeks or longer. Whatever the outcome, your recruiter will aim to update you as soon as possible, and you’ll always receive a final decision, along with developmental feedback, from us via email at each stage of the process.
If I need to attend an interview in person, how long will it take for my travel expenses to be reimbursed?
Reimbursement for travel will depend on the location you are applying in. Please contact your local recruitment team for details.
How do I contact HSBC if I have a question about my application?
You can contact your local recruitment team who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
