Do you want to start your investment banking career at UBS? If so, that's a great pick as UBS is one of the most prestigious investment banking firms in the world. But to land your dream job here, you need to be prepared to ace the recruitment process.
This UBS interview guide will show you what it takes to land a job at the bank. Get insights on UBS, the hiring process, key interview questions, and expert preparation tips to boost your chances of success.
Initially, UBS used to stand for Union Bank of Switzerland formed in 1912. But it's no longer an acronym. The bank merged with the Swiss Bank Corporation in 1998 and the new entity took on the name UBS. Most recently in 2023, UBS acquired Credit Suisse.
UBS headquarters are in Zurich and Basel, Switzerland. In terms of prestige, UBS is the largest Swiss banking institution and the largest private bank in the world. It sits in the bulge bracket firms category which includes the largest and most influential investment banks globally, such as Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America.
The primary business areas for UBS are global wealth management, personal and corporate banking, investment banking, and asset management. In the IB division, UBS offers several services including equity capital markets (ECM), debts capital markets (DCM), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), underwriting, trading and brokerage, and corporate restructuring. It operates in over 50 countries, and is particularly influential in the Americas, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), and Asia Pacific markets.
The standard UBS recruitment process involves three stages: initial application, online assessment and video interview, and a Superday with two interview rounds. Sometimes, the process might differ slightly depending on the location and other factors.
Here's what you need to know about each of these UBS recruitment stages:
Stage 1: Online Application
The first step towards joining the UBS team is to find the right program or role and submit an online application. The process involves uploading a resume/CV, filling in personal details, and providing any additional documents requested.
Tailor your application to reflect UBS's core values and the specific role you're applying for. You can follow UBS's interactive roadmap to recruitment readiness to bring your A-game and increase the chances of proceeding to the next stage.
Stage 2: Online Assessment & Video Interview
If the recruiter likes your application, you'll receive an email invite to take a series of online assessments. These tests assess cognitive abilities as well as your cultural fit and may include:
To ace the culture match tests, UBS recommends familiarizing yourself with the bank's three keys: Pillars, Principles, and Behaviors. It's also important to practice with sample aptitude tests beforehand to improve your speed and accuracy as you only get one shot, and there's no room for retakes. The timeline for completing these assessments is within seven days of receiving the invitation email.
If you pass the aptitude tests, you'll get a link to do a video interview (usually with HireVue). Here, you'll respond to pre-recorded questions. So, expect no interviewer but prepare to show off your communication skills and fit for the role.
Stage 3: Assessment Center (Superday)
The next stage in the UBS recruitment process is the assessment center, also known as Superday in the investment banking industry. This is your chance to prove you've got what it takes to work in UBS. You'll go through multiple virtual or face-to-face interviews, often back-to-back, with people who could become your future colleagues and mentors. Most candidates report going through two or three interview rounds in this stage.
The last interview will most likely involve senior management or team leaders. The focus is on assessing your technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with UBS's values
Use the job advert to anticipate the questions you'll be asked, and show the interviewers why you're the perfect fit for UBS. Also come with thoughtful questions related to the firm and role. Ideally, you want to show them that you're not just looking for any investment banking job – you want to be at UBS specifically.
👉 For more insights on this part of the process, take a look at our article about the Investment Banking Superday
UBS doesn't provide an official timeline for the recruitment process. However, it often takes four to eight weeks for most candidates. Various factors like the number of candidates and location affect the UBS hiring process timeline. Fortunately, you can always know the status and stage of your application by logging into your profile.
During the virtual or face-to-face UBS interviews, you'll get a mix of behavioral/fit and technical questions. The behavior questions focus on your experiences, skills, and motivations. Here are some examples:
👉 Discover more examples of behavioral questions in our Stress Question Mode.
For the technical interview questions, assess your understanding of finance, accounting, and valuation. The questions might also lean more on the investment banking area you're applying to. Here are a few UBS technical interview questions:
👉 Read our article about Technical Questions in Investment Banking Interviews to master this part of the recruiting process.
During the UBS assessment centre stage, you may also get group exercises where interviewers observe your teamwork, communication, and leadership skills in a group setting.
Preparation is very important during any investment banking interview. It allows you to relax and present yourself to the best of your ability. To prepare for an UBS interview, do self-study, engage in mock interviews, and consider working with an interview coach.
Here's what you need to know about each of these UBS interview preparation tips.
Self-Study
Start by dedicating some time to self-study. You can cover a lot of areas during these sessions, including:
The best part about this preparation is that most of the areas you'll cover will also prepare you for interviews with other investment banking firms you've applied to.
Mock Interviews
In addition to self-study, prepare with mock interviews. A mock interview involves a practice session where someone plays the role of the interviewer, asking both technical and behavioral questions. Then they provide feedback on your responses, body language, and overall presentation.
So, it's best to practice mock interviews with people who can provide valuable feedback, for instance peers, a trained professional, or an experienced investment banker. Mock interviews add an extra layer to your preparation that self study doesn't include. That is, practicing your communication skills, body language, and tone. They also help you get comfortable with the interview format, timing, and pressure, reducing your anxiety and stress levels during the actual interviews.
To make the most of your mock interviews, be sure to treat them as if they were real interviews. Record your sessions for self-review, alternate between different mock interviewers to experience various interviewing styles, and gradually increase the difficulty of questions.
👉 Find peers to practice mock interviews with at our Meeting Board.
Coaching
After studying on your own and practicing with peers, you might consider to work with an IB interview coach to refine your skills and get an advantage over the competition. A good coach has been through the process themselves and knows what it takes to succeed. They can help you spot areas for improvement, fine-tune your answers, and build a strategy to handle even the toughest questions.
A coach can also provide valuable insights into the UBS culture, interview style, and what the interviewers are looking for in a candidate. Besides the interview preparation, working with a coach comes with extra benefits. They can help you develop a growth mindset, build confidence, and cultivate a professional network that will serve you well throughout your career.
Look for coaches with actual investment banking experience and a track record of placing candidates at top firms like UBS.
👉 Explore our Coach Directory to find the right expert and prepare confidently for your UBS interview.
UBS is a great choice if you're looking to start a career in investment banking. As a bulge bracket firm, it offers a wide range of opportunities across wealth management, corporate banking, investment banking, and asset management. In the IB division, UBS is involved in M&A, restructuring, capital markets, trading, and risk management, giving you exposure to many different areas.
The application process includes an online application, assessments, a video interview, and a Superday. To improve your chances, make sure to prepare well. Study the key concepts, practice with mock interviews, and consider getting feedback from an experienced coach. The better your preparation, the more confident you'll be on interview day.
