Careers at Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse is a Switzerland-based global investment bank that specialises in wealth management and other financial services. Founded in 1856 with headquarters still in Switzerland, Credit Suisse has offices in the UK, the US, China, Singapore, India and Poland.
For applicants, there are many roles available in various teams across the business, including:
- Sales
- Business Support
- Sustainability
- Human Resources
- Wealth Management
- Asset Management
- Marketing and Communications
- Research
- Risk, Legal and Compliance
- Technology
Careers at Credit Suisse can begin with internships and graduate programs, where applicants are invited from a wide range of educational backgrounds (not just finance or mathematics). They offer a comprehensive graduate programme and are a popular multinational employer for those interested in working for a renowned wealth management and investment bank.
Credit Suisse Application Process
The Credit Suisse application process is straightforward, but the exact stages will depend on the career path you are applying for; the experienced professionals will not necessarily need to complete aptitude tests, for example. The usual process is an online application form and CV, then aptitude tests, followed by a telephone screen and then an assessment centre.
You can find the employment opportunities available at Credit Suisse on their website.
The process can take a while as every open position attracts thousands of interested applicants, so it is best to apply as early as possible to give yourself the best opportunity. Before you begin, you need to select a role that matches your "skillset and passion" as described by Credit Suisse.
Credit Suisse Online Application
The online application begins with creating a candidate profile. This is important as it is where you will receive all the information about the status of your application and any further information that you need to know.
The online application form is straightforward, with questions about your experience and qualifications, as well as some short competency-based questions (usually needing about 200 word answers).
You will also be asked to upload a CV and a cover letter. Best practice here is to make sure that your initial application is honest, but highlights the skills and attributes you have that Credit Suisse is looking for in an employee.
This important first step should be completed as soon as possible, and if you do not meet the basic criteria your application will not be taken further. However, if it does then the next step is online aptitude assessments.
Credit Suisse Aptitude Tests
Credit Suisse uses Kenexa as their test publisher, and if you are selected to move onto the next stage you will be invited to take two tests by email (if appropriate for the role you have applied for). These tests will take 25-45 minutes to complete and are designed to test your numerical and verbal learning ability.
Credit Suisse Numerical Reasoning Test
This is not a maths test, but rather an assessment of your ability to extract and evaluate data presented in a graph or table. Although you will need to manipulate the figures provided, the mathematical functions needed are based on GCSE-level knowledge
You can practice numerical reasoning tests here.
The test lasts for 20 minutes and has multiple choice answers.
Credit Suisse Verbal Reasoning Test
In this 25 minute test, you will be presented with a passage of text that contains information about a particular subject. A statement about this text will follow, and you have to decide whether the statement is true, false, or you cannot say based on the information provided.
This multiple choice question assesses your ability to quickly read, understand and analyse information presented in text form, and then use that to make a reasoned decision.
Both assessments are used to provide data points based on your aptitudes and learning ability. These are measured against the minimum criteria for the position you have applied for, and if you are successful you will be invited to the next stage.
The best way to prepare for the verbal reasoning test is to practice.
Credit Suisse Phone Interview
The next stage of the Credit Suisse recruitment process is a telephone interview. This is often the first time you will get to speak to the recruitment team in person, so it is important that you are prepared.
You are likely to be asked questions about your application form and your CV, as well as some competency-based questions (such as 'describe a time when you worked as a team to solve a problem'). The recruiter is actively looking for examples about your experience to see how you fit with the culture of the company.
This is a great time to highlight why you want to work at Credit Suisse, and you will have an opportunity to ask insightful questions about the role and the wider business here too.
Upon completion of the telephone interview you will be told whether you are moving on to the next stage of the recruitment process - the assessment centre.
Credit Suisse Assessment Centre
The nature of the assessment centre means that this is often the largest gap between stages in the recruitment process. A number of applicants will be invited to the Credit Suisse office to take part in several activities to complete their assessment. It is likely that there will be applicants for a number of roles attending, and this is a real chance to let your personality shine through and demonstrate the skills, aptitudes and experience that you have which match what Credit Suisse are looking for in their employees.
The activities you need to complete will usually include a group exercise where you will need to collaborate with a small group to solve a problem and then present your findings to the group. There might be individual case study work too, where you will be assessed on your personal problem-solving skills.
This is where you will also have several face-to-face interviews, usually with the recruitment team and/or senior managers from the department you have applied to. These interviews are much more in-depth than the phone screening, with more emphasis on your competency and probing questions about your motivation for joining Credit Suisse. In these interviews you will have a chance to ask any questions that you have about the role, the company or the wider wealth management business so you can assess whether this opportunity really is what you want.
At the end of the assessment centre you will be informed if you have been successful - if you have, this is when you will receive a job offer. One of the most important things to remember in the Credit Suisse application process is that it is known to be lengthy because of the number of applicants, so patience is a virtue as you wait to hear about your performance.
