RBS Interview

[Danger Phoenix]

My housemate has a telephone interview with RBS tomorrow, for his Coutts (Private Banking) application. Have you guys got any suggestions of questions etc he should focus on practising?

 

[Coran]

Not all applicable to a private banking phone interview but nevertheless I'm sure there's something of use in Huddy's interview guide:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17469564&highlight=interview

And an edit:
Although if he's got the time he should prepare properly. Make sure he knows a fair bit about RBS. I expect he had to do some research to fill in the application form.

A couple of questions he might be asked could be something along the lines of:
Please tell us what attracts you to RBS and excites you about working in the Financial Services sector
Please tell us what you think the key issues facing RBS are at present and what the organisation could do to address these issues

If the chaps not too busy he could have a read through this job interview preparation web site:
http://www.quintcareers.com/Quintessential_Careers_Press/Job-Interview-Preparation/

Best of luck

 

[The Pat]

I had one of these for a Natwest store, they have the usual give an example of a time where you have: dealt with someone who is angry, had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time, etc. They then give you a basic maths test that is about 4 questions long and not hard at all.

Is this to see if he gets interviewed at a branch?

 

[Kappa]

had an RBS telephone inteview last year, AFAIK its the same for all RBS grad schemes, main competency questions and also say 3 things which you know about RBS.

 

[freshy]

the initial telephone interview will be competency based i expect. eg. tell me about a time where you worked in a group and faced challenges; how did you overcome them challenges etc.

focus is to listen as much as to speak

use different examples as much as possible

speak slowly

then expect questions like why coutts, why the industry etc.

there might be a max of one or two technical questions; limited knowledge required - perhaps overall economic picture;

financial services firms love to ask how would you invest 50k.

mindful of the fact that he is ultimately dealing with just an lowly hr admin rather than an executive look to use the relevants buzzwords - dynamic industry, fast paced, diverse workforce, constant challenges.

the key with private banking is the need to establish key client relationships.
focus on that as well.

he should ask a number of questions too - info that is not on the website.

avoid talking about pay, prestige etc.

 

[chimaera]

I had an interview with a bank after graduating and i lost it after being asked the question:

How would you sell our products to our customers?

My answer: The products should sell themselves for the benefit of the customer, i wouldn't sell a product just for the sake of it.

Never heard from them, could have been something else i guess but there was a distinct lack of interest from that question onwards, and i'm usually pretty good at interviews

From a business perspective it was probably right, maybe i'm too moral to work in the finance industry!

 

[CryptKeeper]

All graduate interviews are basically the same. There are lots of internet sites out there that will give you advice on every possible question they can ask you.

 

[GarethDW]

From a business perspective it was probably right, maybe i'm too moral to work in the finance industry!

I think so, mate. Even the financial organisation I work for* that is "proud to be different" is sales-focused and target-oriented these days.



*although I'm just a techie that isn't allowed to speak to customers... or even see that place they refer to as "the outside".

 

[DanH84]

I had an interview with a bank after graduating and i lost it after being asked the question:

How would you sell our products to our customers?

My answer: The products should sell themselves for the benefit of the customer, i wouldn't sell a product just for the sake of it.

Never heard from them, could have been something else i guess but there was a distinct lack of interest from that question onwards, and i'm usually pretty good at interviews

From a business perspective it was probably right, maybe i'm too moral to work in the finance industry!

yup, not getting the job after that answer sadly.

 

[Viper²]

A friend who had a Britannia interview phone call was asked this:

If someone takes out an £80,000 loan with 10% interest, how much would they pay back.

Real random phone call aswell. They didn't know they were going to call.

 

[V4NT0M]

A friend who had a Britannia interview phone call was asked this:

If someone takes out an £80,000 loan with 10% interest, how much would they pay back.

Real random phone call aswell. They didn't know they were going to call.

Thats where you ask over what term, whether they want PPI, insurance etc

 

[chimaera]

yup, not getting the job after that answer sadly.

In hindsight i'm glad it happened as i'm much happier doing the job i actually graduated for

OP > So how did his interview go in the end? i'd like to say i'll be one of his customers but i think Coutts is a little out of my league

 

[Danger Phoenix]

Well, he is in Tanzania at the moment and RBS couldn't get through to him for some strange reason (landline), so now he has to book another interview slot later on in the month