Interview Experience with HSBC

• Experience: Fresher
• Type: On-campus
• Total Rounds: 4
• Role: Trainee Software Engineer
• Locations: Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru
• Final Verdict: SELECTED

Round 1: Online Assessments:

Round 1.1 - AON Platform

• Format: Aptitude + Technical
• Duration: 75 minutes
• Sections: English Usage (20 Questions), Analytical Reasoning (20 Questions), Technical (30 Questions)

Round 1.2 - AON Platform

• Format: Coding
• Duration: 30 minutes (2 questions)
• Prerequisite: Only candidates clearing Round 1 (Aptitude + Technical) proceeded to this round.
• Coding Questions: Two questions were given, and they were reported as easy.

Round 2: Enrolled in the HSBC Careers Portal

• Values Assessment Test
• To evaluate a candidate's alignment with the core values and principles of the organization. It aims to assess whether the candidate's personal and professional values align with the values and culture of the company.

Round 3: Technical Round

• Introduction and Resume Review:
  The interview began with a discussion about my background, allowing the interviewer to review my resume thoroughly.

• Projects and Internships:
  The technical discussion commenced with a focus on Machine Learning, with questions designed to evaluate my foundational understanding of the subject. Subsequently, I was inquired about the projects I had undertaken, with a particular emphasis on the challenges encountered during their implementation.

• SQL and Databases:
  The conversation then shifted to SQL, with a specific focus on why do we need SQL?, Joins, Triggers, connecting MySQL db using Java/Python and cursors. Queries related to joins were part of the discussion.

• Programming Language (I have chosen Python):
  The interview smoothly shifted to Python, with questions covering a spectrum from moderate to difficult levels.

• Cloud Experience:
  The interviewer inquired about my experience with cloud platforms, with a particular emphasis on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Round 4: HR Round

• Introduction:
  The HR round commenced with a brief introduction, likely to assess communication skills and get a sense of my background.

• Why HSBC:
  An important aspect of the HR round included discussing why I wanted to work at HSBC. This allowed me to express my genuine interest in the company, its values, and how I saw myself contributing to its success.

• Team Leadership:
  There was a discussion about my potential interest and capability to take on a team leader role.

• Experience and Preferences:
  The HR explored my overall experience and preferences, especially in terms of skills and technologies.

• Student Life and College:
  Experiences during my student life were discussed, including challenges and tough times.

• Location Preferences:
  Preferences regarding work locations were explored.

• Tech Stack:
  The HR also asked about my experience with the current tech stack and my willingness to work on a new tech stack.

Here are a few tips to crack placements:

• Prepare your Resume.
• Review CS Fundamentals (DSA, OOPS, OS, DBMS, at least thorough with one programming language).
• Understand your Projects.
• Practice Coding.
• SQL Proficiency.
• Communication Skills.
• Research HSBC.
• Articulate why you want to work at HSBC.
• Stay Calm and Confident.

Best of luck!