UBS interview questions, from tests to final day
UBS hires in five stages: getting ready, an online application, online assessments (a Culture Match test and reasoning tests), a recorded video interview you can practice as often as you like, and a final assessment day of interviews with senior leaders. You get seven days to finish the tests, with no retakes.
Updated
- Seven days for the tests. 168 hours from the invitation, and no retakes.
- Culture Match first. Realistic work scenarios that test how well you fit UBS's culture and values.
- Unlimited practice videos. You record the video interview when it suits you, after as many practice runs as you like.
- A final assessment day. A series of interviews with senior leaders, the last focused on your fit for the role.
- Three applications in the US. Across all divisions and offices in one academic year.
What UBS says it looks for
From its How we hire page and video tips:
Culture fit
The Culture Match Assessment checks how well you align with UBS's culture and values, and the final interview focuses on your fit for the role.
Knowledge of your area
Not expert level, but a basic grasp of UBS's markets and a more detailed one of the business area you applied to.
How you think
UBS says it wants to hear your ideas and how you think, especially when resolving issues.
Honesty over bluffing
If you don't know something, say so. UBS calls asking a strength and bluffing a weakness.
From UBS's How we hire page and its 2017 video interview tips.
UBS's five hiring stages
As UBS's How we hire page lists them.
Get ready, apply, tests, video, final day
Stage 1
Get recruitment ready
UBS offers a 10-step guide to what motivates you, how to sell yourself and what employers look for.
Stage 2
Online application
Personal details, education, work experience, languages and skills. A draft saves for 30 days, but UBS can't see drafts.
Stage 3
Online assessments
Culture Match, plus numerical, verbal and logical reasoning. Coding for Technology roles. In the US this is a pilot and scores don't affect your application.
Stage 4
Video interview
Most roles may include one. UBS gives you the questions and you record answers at a time that suits you, after unlimited practice runs.
Stage 5
Final assessment day
A series of interviews with senior leaders. The final interview is more detailed and focused on your fit for the position.
UBS keeps a few things to itself: who runs the video, how long it is, and how many interviews the final day holds.
12 questions to practice for UBS
Sorted by stage. UBS cares about culture fit and how you think, so most of these are about you, and the last four are technicals.
For the video interview4 questions
UBS's tip: decide what it should remember about you, then tie every answer back to it.
Tell me about yourself.
What a strong answer does
Keep it short and finish on the role. Put the one thing you want remembered in your first sentence. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What is the one thing we should remember?”
- “Why this business area?”
What did you learn from an experience on your resume?
What a strong answer does
UBS asks you to turn experiences into takeaways. Name the lesson and show where you used it next.
- “What would you do differently?”
- “How does that help you here?”
Tell me about a problem you resolved and how you approached it.
What a strong answer does
UBS wants to know how you think when resolving issues. Lay out your reasoning, not just the result. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What other options did you consider?”
- “What would you do with less time?”
Tell me about a time you had to admit you didn't know something.
What a strong answer does
UBS calls asking a strength and bluffing a weakness. Show what you did to find out. Practice it, see a model answer
- “How did the other person react?”
- “What do you do now before a meeting?”
Why UBS4 questions
UBS wants a basic grasp of its markets and a detailed one of your area.
Why UBS?
What a strong answer does
Answer through the business area you chose. A conversation with someone from UBS beats anything from its website. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What do you know about our business in your area?”
- “Who have you met from UBS?”
Why investment banking?
What a strong answer does
Describe a week of analyst work as you understand it, then the moment you knew you wanted it. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What will you find hardest?”
- “Why not markets?”
Tell me about a teammate whose approach was nothing like yours.
What a strong answer does
Show respect for the other view and a result you reached together. Practice it, see a model answer
- “What did you change about your own approach?”
- “What did they change?”
What questions do you have for us?
What a strong answer does
UBS calls insightful questions a great way to start a good conversation. Ask about the area you applied to. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Why does that matter to you?”
- “What have you heard so far?”
Technicals for the final day4 questions
For banking roles, the senior interviews can test the basics.
How are the three financial statements linked?
What a strong answer does
Name the lines that join them: net income, ending cash and retained earnings. Then run a small change through all three. Practice it, see a model answer
- “A company buys $10 of inventory with cash. What changes?”
- “Which statement would you pick if you had one?”
Walk me through a DCF.
What a strong answer does
Cash flows, WACC, terminal value, equity value. Then say which assumption you would stress test first. Practice it, see a model answer
- “How do you pick the terminal growth rate?”
- “What would you check first if the DCF came out far above comps?”
EV/EBITDA or P/E: when do you use which?
What a strong answer does
EV/EBITDA ignores capital structure. P/E moves with leverage. Use that to choose for a real company, and say why. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Why does capital structure matter here?”
- “Which would you use for a bank?”
Rates go up. What happens to bond prices?
What a strong answer does
They fall, and longer bonds fall further. Duration puts a number on it. Practice it, see a model answer
- “Rates rise 100 basis points. What happens to a bond with a duration of 5?”
- “What does an inverted yield curve tell you?”
More to prepare with
Mistakes that cost UBS candidates
Missing the seven days
The test link expires after 168 hours, there are no retakes, and the application is withdrawn.
Skipping the practice runs
UBS lets you record as many practice videos as you like. Use them.
Bluffing
UBS would rather hear "I don't know" than a bluff.
Using up your applications
In the US you get three a year across all divisions and offices. Choose them with care.
How to prepare for UBS
UBS's own advice, stage by stage.
Before you apply
Know your area
UBS wants some knowledge of its markets and more of the business area you apply to. Attend its campus events if you can.
Before the tests
Do the practice questions
UBS says to complete the tutorials and practice questions before each reasoning test.
Before the video
Test and rehearse
Check sound, video and lighting, then record practice runs until your answers sound like you.
Before the final day
Practice with a person
UBS suggests campus workshops or a friend, family member or mentor.
The tests and video, in UBS's words
UBS's own rules and tips for the online stages.
Test deadline7 days, no retakes
Finish all online assessments within seven days (168 hours) of the invitation. After that the link expires and the application is withdrawn.
UBS: early careers FAQCulture MatchWork scenarios
Realistic, hypothetical work scenarios that show how well you align with UBS's culture and values.
UBS: How we hireReasoning testsNumerical, verbal, logical
Draw conclusions from numbers or text, and find rules in symbol patterns. Do the tutorials and practice questions first.
UBS: How we hireVideo setupLook into the camera
Treat it like an in-person interview: dress for it, look into the camera, clear the background and test sound, video and lighting.
UBS: video interview tips (2017)Finance knowledgeNot a guru? Fine
UBS says it doesn't expect you to be a finance guru. Focus on your strengths and say why you want the industry.
UBS: video interview tips (2017)Rehearse the video, then the final day
Run the same answer with Soreno's AI interviewer as many times as you need. Each run is followed up and scored. Free for 7 days.
Questions people ask
Does UBS use HireVue?
UBS says most roles may include a recorded video interview, with unlimited practice runs first, but it doesn't say whose platform it is. Candidates report a HireVue of 6 to 8 questions for investment banking, then a 30-minute first round.
How long do I have to finish the UBS online assessments?
Seven days (168 hours) from the invitation. Retakes are not allowed, and if you miss the deadline the application is withdrawn.
What is the UBS Culture Match Assessment?
Realistic, hypothetical work scenarios that show how well you align with UBS's culture and values. In the US, UBS says its online assessments are a pilot and scores don't affect your application.
What is the UBS final assessment day?
A series of interviews where you meet senior leaders in the business. UBS says the final interview is more detailed and focused on your fit for the position. Candidates report three half-hour interviews, each mixing behavioral and technical questions.
How many UBS applications can I submit?
For the US, Switzerland and APAC, up to three across all divisions and offices in one academic year. In the UK and EMEA, one program in the UK and one in the rest of EMEA.
Will UBS give me feedback after the video interview?
UBS says it gets too many applications to give detailed feedback.