HSBC careers: The HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment: (Guide 2024)

Applying for a job, internship or graduate program at HSBC is the beginning of a competitive process.

The multinational banking and financial services company advertises roles in fields such as commercial banking, global banking, retail banking and wealth management, and private banking.

A limited number of roles and a high number of applicants mean that the banking giant must narrow down potential candidates with a rigorous hiring process.

If your online application form is accepted, you will progress to the next stage, which is a set of two online assessments – the HSBC immersive assessment and the HSBC job simulation assessment.

The second HSBC psychometric test is taken after passing the first assessment. It is this exam, the HSBC online immersive assessment, that you will be exploring below.

In this article, you will also find out what the whole HSBC hiring process entails, how to prepare for the assessment and what happens after taking the test.

What Is HSBC?

HSBC is a big bank that started in 1865. Now, they have many customers and a ton of money, making them the biggest European bank.

They work in 63 different places and offer different money services to people, businesses, and groups in the UK.

Even though HSBC mainly deals with money, they have many job choices in areas like research, making computer programs, advertising, hiring people, talking with others, and running things smoothly.

HSBC wants people like you who believe in the same things they do, and they will check this during your online tests.

What Are the HSBC Values?

Here are the four corporate values of HSBC:

• Valuing difference
• Succeeding together
• Taking responsibility
• Getting it done

Let’s dive into the details of the HSBC values:

HSBC Core Value 1

The first value is ‘We Value Difference: Seeking Out Different Perspectives.’

Diversity is essential in every workplace, and it is a factor that HSBC is passionate about championing.

You can align with this value by thinking outside the box and offering a fresh take that others wouldn’t think of.

HSBC Core Value 2

The second value is ‘We Succeed Together: Collaborating Across Boundaries.’

Collaboration allows different perspectives to come together and create something amazing. To demonstrate you can work with others to achieve success, you should show that you are trustworthy, supportive and able to communicate effectively.

HSBC Core Value 3

The third value is ‘We Take Responsibility: Holding Ourselves Accountable and Taking the Long View.’

Accountability is key, as there needs to be someone who ensures work is completed to a high standard. If you see something going wrong, you must speak up.

HSBC Core Value 4

The fourth value is ‘We Get It Done: Moving at Pace and Making Things Happen.’

HSBC is a multinational finance company and has become a household name because it has taken opportunities and risks in the name of ambition.

You can show you relate to HSBC’s moving at pace by being thorough and driven at all stages of your application.

What Is the HSBC Hiring Process Like?

For every HSBC role, the hiring process is split into four sections:

HSBC Online Application

The first step of the process is submitting an application form along with your CV. Your CV should outline your key qualities, your education and employment experience, and any special achievements that will help you stand out amongst the rest of the applicants.

You should tailor your CV so you can show that you have skills and experience relevant for a career at HSBC.

What Is the HSBC Online Application?

The HSBC Online Job Application is a digital platform provided by HSBC, where individuals can apply for employment opportunities within the organization.

The online application streamlines the recruitment process, allowing candidates to digitally submit their CV and relevant information.

What Do I Need to Apply to HSBC?

To apply for a job at HSBC, you typically need:

• A CV detailing your education, work experience and relevant skills.
• A cover letter expressing your interest in the position and showcasing your qualifications.
• Information about your educational background, including degrees and certifications.
• Contact details and professional references.
• Any additional documents specified in the job listing.

How to Ace the HSBC Application Form

To increase your chances of success in the HSBC job application process:

• Thoroughly Review the Job Description: Understand the position's specific requirements and tailor your application accordingly.
• Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience: Showcase how your skills and past experiences align with the job requirements.
• Customize Your CV and Cover Letter: Tailor your CV and cover letter for the specific role, emphasizing your achievements and how they relate to the job.
• Research HSBC: Demonstrate your knowledge of HSBC by incorporating relevant information into your application, showing a genuine interest in the company.
• Follow Application Instructions: Carefully follow the application instructions provided on the HSBC careers website, ensuring all required documents are attached and submitted correctly.
• Proofread Your Application: Avoid errors by thoroughly proofreading your application before submission.

Acing the HSBC job application involves presenting yourself as the ideal candidate through a well-crafted, customized application that aligns with the company's values and the job's specific requirements.

HSBC Online Immersive Assessment

The first round of assessments is an online immersive assessment that consists of two tests.

The first is a situational judgment test, which will ask you to select the best course of action for a situation that you could come across while working at HSBC.

The aim of this test is to assess whether your behaviors are in line with the company’s core values. The second aptitude assessment is a verbal reasoning test, which assesses your spelling, grammar and your ability to understand and interpret written information.

The online aptitude test is around an hour long in total.

What Is the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment?

The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment is a test that combines situational judgment, personality profiling, and video interview questions based on everyday scenarios of an HSBC employee.

Tips to Prepare for the HSBC Immersive Assessment

You can find many questions and programs online that can help you practice for the assessment. You should also prepare by ensuring you understand the assessment's format and purpose.

Is there a time limit for taking the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment?

Once you receive the link to the assessment, you will have a set number of days to complete it. The information will be emailed to you, so check your inbox and read the instructions carefully.

Online Job Simulation Assessment

If you pass the situational judgment test, you will be invited to take the online job simulation assessment. This stage will be an assessment tailored to the business area you are interested in.

The questions will be based on the company and situations you might encounter in your day-to-day work.

You will face the following types of question:

• Situational judgment
• Personality profiling
• Video interview questions

During the HSBC online assessment, you will be presented with information related to the role. The questions you will have to answer may involve analyzing and summarizing numerical data or recording a video response on how you would approach a particular task.

This section also includes a multiple-choice HSBC numerical reasoning test.

In total, this HSBC online test will take around 50 minutes. The online immersive assessment and the job simulation test can both be taken at any time within the set number of days stated in the email invitation.

What Is the Online Job Simulation at HSBC Like?

The HSBC job simulation is an automated video assessment. The HSBC job simulation questions you are presented with will be based on the part of the business that you have applied to.

During the HSBC assessment test you will be provided with fictional scenarios that you could come across in the role.

The test includes questions on situational judgment, personality profiling, video interview questions replicating scenarios that HSBC employees come across every day and free text questions where you will need to respond to an email from a colleague or manager.

What types of questions are asked in the HSBC Job Simulation?

With 15 questions in total, the HSBC online assessment test is divided into four sections: Video Set-up, Situational Judgment Test, Personality Profile Questions and Free Text Questions.

Situational Judgment Questions

You will be presented with two questions in the HSBC Situational Judgment Test section of the assessment. You will need to read the work-related scenario and rank five responses from 1 (most likely to do) to 5 (least likely to do).

This section aims to assess your compatibility with HSBC’s four core values. How can you show that you align with what is most important to HSBC?

Below, you will find out what the values really mean so you can tailor your answers and succeed in the HSBC online job simulation assessment.

Video Interview Questions or the Video Set-up

This section consists of just one question but is the test's biggest and most time-consuming section.

In addition, this is framed as a 'practice' question to ensure the online connection works. However, the question is likely to ask you something you can expect from an interview, such as 'What is your biggest strength?' or 'How would someone describe you?'.

You will be presented with a situational judgment question and required to record your answer. In this section, you will have two minutes to prepare and two minutes to record your answer.

You must treat the whole assessment as just that – a test that assesses you from start to finish. This is your chance to make an excellent first impression, so use your two minutes wisely and prepare serious and professional HSBC online assessment answers to the question.

Personality Profiling Questions

In this section, you will be asked to self-report your personality traits and personal preferences. This part of the test consists of six questions.

The assessment will provide you with a two-sided scale on which you can place your preference for each question. The purpose of this question is to assess your priorities and approach to decision-making.

Free Text Questions

In the Free Text section, you will be presented with an email from an HSBC colleague or manager. You will be required to draft a reply of no more than 3,000 characters.

The task of emailing the people you work with would be a large part of a role at HSBC, so the question is to assess how you would respond to a real query in your day-to-day role.

When it comes to the HSBC online job simulation assessment, preparation is key. Thankfully, practicing for the test is simple when you understand the question sections and themes.

With this preparation guide, you can go into the assessment feeling confident.

What Happens After the HSBC Job Simulation Assessment?

After taking the immersive online assessment, the HSBC test stage of the application progress is complete.

You will be emailed your results and kept updated on the progress of your application. The time it takes to receive your results depends on several factors, such as the volume of applications and the workload of the recruitment team.

Your results will be sent to the email address that you supplied in your application form, so make sure you check your inbox and junk mail regularly.

If you pass both the online aptitude tests and the HSBC immersive assessment, you will move on to the final stage: the interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment can be a difficult test to take, but it is one that you can pass with some preparation.

From strengthening your analytical skills to practicing sample questions, there are many things you can do to give yourself the best chance of success. Follow this guidance and you can approach your HSBC job application with confidence.