Format of Phone Interview

A phone interview, in most cases, will be conducted after the online aptitude tests. HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and Citibank are some of the leading banks conducting a phone interview for their management trainee recruitment while Hang Seng Bank does not use it.

Interview Format & Content

Duration of this round of interview varies among different banks. Questions asked are similar but details of the answer required are different, resulting in the difference in the interview duration.

Skills & Abilities to ShowSkills & Abilities to Show

1. Language Skills

Candidates are required to respond in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. A high standard of English and Cantonese is expected while fluency in Mandarin is a plus given the fact that the banking industry in Hong Kong is strictly-connected to that of the mainland China. Candidates are required to respond in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. A high standard of English and Cantonese is expected while fluency in Mandarin is a plus given the fact that the banking industry in Hong Kong is strictly-connected to that of the mainland China.

2. Communication Skills

A high standard communication skill such as the ability to express an idea and respond to the others is expected in the banking industry. Front-line staff, undoubtedly, utilizes good communication skills to impress clients and generate sales for banks while staff in the middle and back offices also needs to communicate well with their colleagues and teams for higher working effectiveness and efficiency. A high standard communication skill such as the ability to express an idea and respond to the others is expected in the banking industry. Front-line staff, undoubtedly, utilizes good communication skills to impress clients and generate sales for banks while staff in the middle and back offices also needs to communicate well with their colleagues and teams for higher working effectiveness and efficiency.

3. Leadership

As all successful candidates will be trained to be the future leader and manager in the bank, they are expected to reveal their ability to lead a team towards to certain objectives. This explains why questions about interviewees’ past leadership experiences are asked. As all successful candidates will be trained to be the future leader and manager in the bank, they are expected to reveal their ability to lead a team towards to certain objectives. This explains why questions about interviewees’ past leadership experiences are asked.

4. Passion

It goes without saying that passion is needed for any job. Through a phone interview, candidates are expected to show their passions and interests in the bank. Hence, interviewers examine how much the candidates know about the post and the bank. It goes without saying that passion is needed for any job. Through a phone interview, candidates are expected to show their passions and interests in the bank. Hence, interviewers examine how much the candidates know about the post and the bank.

5. Personality

The ‘right’ personality is required in different positions. Interviewers ask behavioral questions to examine the personalities of the candidates. For example, they might look for a more proactive and sociable person to take up a relationship manager role. The ‘right’ personality is required in different positions. Interviewers ask behavioral questions to examine the personalities of the candidates. For example, they might look for a more proactive and sociable person to take up a relationship manager role.