What skills and qualifications does UBS look for in job applicants?

UBS looks for candidates with a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and skills such as analytical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

How long does the UBS recruitment process usually take?

The recruitment process at UBS can take several weeks or even months, depending on the position and the number of applicants, and may involve multiple rounds of interviews and assessments.

What are UBS core values?

UBS's core values include integrity, respect, collaboration, and excellence. They aim to provide trusted advice and solutions to their clients while maintaining the highest ethical standards and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Where can I practice UBS practice tests?

To prepare for UBS aptitude tests, candidates can practice tests and study materials for free using our platform.

What hiring programs does UBS offer?

There are a range of different programmes to join via the UBS career page - popular programs include the UBS Spring Week, UBS Summer Internship and UBS Graduate Programme.

UBS Assessments

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Application process

Online Application
Online Assessments
Video Interview
Assessment Centre

Careers at UBS

UBS is a Swiss bank that is perhaps most well-known for strict bank-client confidentiality, but in recent years UBS has moved further towards a more globally supportive institution that is forward-thinking and considerate of the needs of others. Established in 1862, UBS offers rewards and benefits throughout its global business areas that are second to none - and that makes the competition for open positions throughout the business.

UBS is co-headquartered in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland. Employing more than 70,000 people in 50 countries, UBS focuses on four business areas:

Global Wealth Management
Personal and Corporate Banking
Asset Management
Investment Banking

For those who are looking to work at UBS, knowledge of the culture and desired behaviours of employees is one of the most important things that you need to understand to be successful through the application process. These are known as the Three Keys: Pillars, Principles, and Behaviours.

What are the UBS Three Keys?

Pillars - capital strength, efficiency, effectiveness, risk management
Principles - client focus, excellence, sustainable performance
Behaviours - integrity, collaboration, challenge

Types of jobs at UBS

Job roles at UBS can be found in the following business areas:

Global Wealth Management
Investment Bank
Asset Management
Personal and Corporate Banking
Operations
TEchnology
Finance
Legal
Internal Audit
Internal Consulting
Research
Risk Control
Compliance, Regulatory, and Governance
Human Resources
Marketing, Communications, and Branding

Routes into employment with UBS are available to school leavers, who can take on an apprenticeship program to transition from school to the workplace while working towards a recognised qualification.

University students can apply for several internship programs, to learn 'on the job' during summer breaks or as work placements while recent graduates can develop through a graduate program specifically for their chosen business areas.

Experienced professionals are welcome at UBS, and the UBS Career Comeback program is aimed at experienced people who are returning to work after time off, such as for childcare reasons, offering them the opportunity to retrain while in a permanent position.

UBS Application Process

The UBS application process is simple, with a similar process for all entry routes.

Application Form: this is a simple combination of personal, qualifications, and experience details that are specific to the role you are applying for.
Online Assessments: Depending on the role or the route you are applying for, you will take at least one online assessment to test your aptitudes. Every applicant needs to take a numerical reasoning test.
Video Interview: this is not a live interview, but applicants need to record a response to several interview questions.
Final Assessment Day: this is a full day of interviews, face-to-face with line managers and senior leaders.

UBS Online Application

The online application is slightly different for school leavers seeking an apprenticeship, undergraduates looking for an internship, or graduates looking for a fast-track scheme. For these applicants, recruitment happens once a year or so with each candidate only able to apply for one scheme at a time.

For other candidates, the online application is linked to the specific advertised job. Once you have selected the role you are interested in, you will need to provide information such as your personal information, qualifications, and experience.

When filling in the application form, keep in mind the competencies and behaviours that UBS wants to see in their employees, and be as accurate as possible.

UBS Aptitude Tests

The UBS online assessment, or Junior Talent Online Assessment v2, is the first screening stage when applying to UBS. It is an important part of the process to ensure that candidates are a good match for the role advertised, and the specific tests chosen for each route depend on what is needed in the role.

UBS Numerical Reasoning Test

UBS numerical reasoning test is an assessment of mathematical ability - although it does not require a vast knowledge of numbers. The test is about a candidate's ability to read, understand and extract data from tables and graphs and use it to answer questions. The UBS numerical reasoning test consists of 12 questions based on business scenarios, with potentially dozens of possible answers.

Every applicant for a role at UBS needs to complete a numerical reasoning test.

Unlike other numerical reasoning assessments, this one is not timed as a whole - instead, each question is timed individually. Candidates have 90 seconds to answer the first question for each table, and 75 seconds for subsequent questions. This test usually takes about 20 minutes to complete.

The difficulty of this assessment comes not from the content but the time constraints and the sheer number of potential answers. Applicants need to complete the mathematical problem, rather than use elimination - and if there is a question that you answer quickly, you will not be able to use the remaining time on other questions that you may struggle with.

The mathematical equations are not complicated; they are based on GCSE-level knowledge of basic operations, percentages, ratios, and fractions.

UBS Cultural Appraiser

What is the UBS cultural appraiser assessment?

In almost all application routes, the UBS Cultural Appraiser is used to check an applicant for their behaviours through scenario-based tests. In the words of UBS themselves, the UBS Cultural Appraiser offers " realistic, hypothetical work scenarios designed to assess how well you align with our culture and values."

In format, the Cultural Appraiser is similar to most situational judgement tests, with 15 unique and realistic scenarios based on situations that are similar to the ones that you would come across while in the role. The scenarios may be presented in text or video format.

There is no time limit, but it usually takes around 20 minutes to complete. Each question has multiple choice answers, but instead of choosing one, you need to rank each possibility on a sliding scale of most to least effective.

During the cultural appraiser, the answers you give will be measured against seven core values and competencies:

Problem analysis
Judgement and decision making
Innovation
Communication and impact
Drive and commitment
Teamwork and collaboration
Planning and organisation

Other Online Assessments

In some cases, there may be other online assessments used. These include verbal reasoning - assessing a candidates ability to understand written text and use the information to answer questions - and logical reasoning. The logical reasoning part of the assessment suite is based on recognising shapes and patterns and using that information to predict the next shape.

UBS Video Interview

The UBS video interview is typically conducted using an online platform (Sonru) that allows candidates to record their responses to pre-set questions.

The questions you will be asked are likely to be around your experience and qualifications, so think about the type of answers you want to give. Make sure you look presentable and are in a suitable environment. Look for anything that might be distracting - and test your video and audio capabilities to make sure that the recruitment team is able to hear and see you.

The benefit of a video interview like this is that you have time to prepare an answer and even practice the way you deliver it - the total video time is not likely to be more than 30 minutes, but you can respond in your own time and whenever suits you best.

UBS Assessment Centre

The assessment centre is the culmination of the application process and is a full day of face-to-face interviews.

You are likely to be interviewed by your future line manager as well as senior business leaders. These interviews might be completed in person at one of the UBS offices, or virtually (depending on the situation).

These interviews are designed to allow candidates the opportunity to not only ask questions (and answer them) but also to market yourself and demonstrate that you have the personality, capabilities, and compatibility that will make you a productive and successful employee at UBS.

More Employer Tests

Sample UBS Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

In a fiscal policy update, a regulatory body outlines its approach to maintain economic stability. What purpose is the regulatory body most likely attempting to achieve?

To manage the inflation rate
To reduce the complexity of tax legislation
To ensure fair trading practices in all markets
To mitigate the impact of financial market fluctuations

You are tasked with analyzing financial processes represented diagrammatically. If increasing transaction volumes are indicated by larger shapes, and faster processing time is represented by lighter shading, what does a smaller, darker shape represent?

Increased transaction speed and volume
Decreased transaction speed and volume
Decreased transaction volume and increased processing time
Increased transaction volume and decreased processing time

When analyzing a ledger, you notice that the initial investment of a financial asset was $10,000. Its value increased by 8% annually over 5 years. What is the value of the asset at the end of this period?

$12,000
$14,693
$14,000
$10,400

Assume you are evaluating investment portfolios. Portfolio A outperformed Portfolio B by 12% annually. Portfolio B outperformed Portfolio C by 8% annually. If Portfolio C achieved a 5% annual return, what is the annual return of Portfolio A?

After carefully reading a business report, you determine that a company's decision to expand into a new market is driven primarily by the need to diversify its portfolio. What can you infer is least likely the primary motivation for this expansion?

To concentrate their market share
To reduce dependency on their current market
To mitigate risks associated with market volatility
To exploit new growth opportunities

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I've always been poor at maths, but the numerical reasoning tests really improved my scores.

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UBS Assessments Tips

Familiarize Yourself with Test Formats: When it comes to acing your practice exams on Fintest, the more you know about the type of tests you'll encounter, the better. Make it a point to understand the structure and format of the assessments used by financial institutions like UBS. Are you going to face multiple-choice questions, essays, or data analysis problems? Once you have an idea, you can structure your practice sessions to reflect these formats closely, so there are no surprises on test day.
Hone Your Time Management Skills: Time can either be your ally or your adversary during a practice exam. One key to success is learning how to divide your time effectively across various sections and questions. Try simulating test conditions at home with Fintest, timing yourself as you go along. This will give you a good sense of which sections may require more or less time, and you’ll get better at allocating your precious minutes where they’re most needed.
Dive Deep into Financial Topics: UBS and other financial sector companies expect candidates to have a strong grasp of industry-specific knowledge. Take advantage of the resources provided by Fintest to delve deeply into relevant topics. Ensure you're up to speed with financial regulations, market trends, and analytical techniques. The deeper your understanding, the easier it will be to navigate through complex case studies or calculations you might encounter on the exams.
Keep Calm and Stay Positive: A positive mindset can significantly impact your performance. Stress and anxiety can cloud your thought process and diminish your problem-solving abilities. Use techniques such as deep breathing or positive visualization during your practice with Fintest. This way, you’ll prepare not just intellectually, but also emotionally, building the confidence required to conquer the exams successfully.
Review and Reflect: After each practice session on Fintest, take a moment to review your answers. Reflect on the questions you found challenging and understand why certain answers are correct. This reflective practice encourages active learning, which reinforces knowledge and improves recall. By regularly reviewing your performance, you can identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.

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UBS Assessments FAQs

What skills and qualifications does UBS look for in job applicants?: UBS looks for candidates with a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and skills such as analytical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
How long does the UBS recruitment process usually take?: The recruitment process at UBS can take several weeks or even months, depending on the position and the number of applicants, and may involve multiple rounds of interviews and assessments.
What are UBS core values?: UBS's core values include integrity, respect, collaboration, and excellence. They aim to provide trusted advice and solutions to their clients while maintaining the highest ethical standards and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.
Where can I practice UBS practice tests?: To prepare for UBS aptitude tests, candidates can practice tests and study materials for free using our platform.
What hiring programs does UBS offer?: There are a range of different programmes to join via the UBS career page - popular programs include the UBS Spring Week, UBS Summer Internship and UBS Graduate Programme.