Credit Suisse is one of the leading financial services firms in the financial services industry. The company was founded in Switzerland and had its headquarters in Zurich. It’s a global firm included in the nine Bulge Bracket banks that provides services in various areas of finance.

There are four divisions within the financial department at Credit Suisse. They are:

• Wealth Management
• Investment Bank
• Shared Services 
• Asset Management 

Being a highly reputable bank, there is no doubt that people would want to pursue a career in finance here at Credit Suisse. However, since Credit Suisse has a strong reputation, the application process is rigorous and requires a commitment to finding the right candidates.

The level of difficulty typically depends on the role you’re applying for. However, it is said that interviewing for any position at Credit Suisse has a certain hassle. This is especially true for a high finance job in any of the four divisions at the firm. 

At Credit Suisse, three interview rounds are required for any high finance role you may apply for. This excludes the Super Day interview for the investment banking application process, which happens at the end of the three rounds. The three rounds are

1. Written or Aptitude Interview 
2. Technical Interview
3. Human Resources Interview 

    

Essentially, Hirevue is an online program that allows recruiters to learn more about the candidate through recorded videos. Credit Suisse is one of those companies that use the program.

Although the Hirevue interview can seem simple since it is done independently and not in person, it is still essential that you pass this to move forward. Wall Street Oasis has resources on acing the Hirevue interview, and you can find this in their Hirevue Interview Guide.

Preparing For The Interview 

For any job, preparing for interviews can feel overwhelming, so we often neglect other factors that play an important role in the hiring process. While the interview is an important part of the process, how you prepare for it is equally important.

There is more to interviews than just studying technical terms and practicing behavioral questions. Your demeanor and the way you present yourself carry a lot of weight, so it is integral that you go the extra mile to showcase the best version of yourself.

To better prepare yourself for the rounds of interviews you’ll go through, there are several things you can do, and most of them require little to no effort and are mostly behavioral.

The following sections will discuss some things you can do to increase your hiring potential and stand out during the interview process. 

First Impressions 

Meeting someone for the first time always brings about unnecessary anxiety. However, it is a part of life, and there is no way to escape it. This is especially true for the interviewing process. You are guaranteed to feel anxious with so many stages and people to meet.

However, you can take steps to ease that feeling and create a stellar first impression for yourself. This sets the foundation for your first meeting with the recruiter or interviewer.

There are 7 notable steps you can take to ensure you deliver a solid first impression:

1. Smile

2. Maintain eye contact

3. Work on your greetings 

4. Personal presentation

5. Have welcoming body language

6. Be punctual 

7. Have a positive attitude

With these steps in mind, you are guaranteed to give the impression that you are confident and prepared for the interview.   

Dressing For The Role You Want 

An age-old saying says, “dress for the role you want and not for the role you have.” While, in theory, this is a good idea, this statement has some flaws. However, you should dress appropriately for the role you will interview for.

When interviewing for a role in the corporate finance world, a good rule of thumb is to dress in business attire. Of course, this can differ depending on what you consider business attire, but the aim is to dress professionally.

For men, it is fairly simple. Here is some staple clothing that can help you to put together a professional look:

• Full-length trousers (think khakis or chinos and stay away from jeans)
• Plain long-sleeved shirts
• Blazers
• Loafers or Oxfords
• Belts 

As for women, there is a different approach. Rather than being limited to just pants and a shirt, there are other options you can incorporate or use for your interview outfit. Here are some options: 

• Blouses with appropriate necklines 
• Ballet flats or Pumps
• Skirts (should be knee length)
• Dresses (office-appropriate length and style)
• Full-length trousers 
• Blazers

These are some options that both men and women can consider when deciding what to wear for their interview. Just remember to respect the office guidelines. For example, an outfit you’d wear for partying isn’t good for your interview. 

Prepare For The Behavioral and Technical Questions

Now for studying. Yes, how you carry yourself is important, but you need to know how to answer the questions being asked. There are two sets of questions that you’re going to be asked: behavioral and technical.

The behavioral questions are usually the first set to be asked. These questions allow the interviewer to get to know you personally without getting too invasive. Here are some questions you are guaranteed to ask:

1. Walk me through your resume/background

2. Why do you want to pursue a career in this role? 

3. Why do you want to work at Credit Suisse? 

To prepare for these questions, you should give them significant thought. This is because the behavioral questions give the interviewer insight into who you are and whether or not you’d be a good addition to the workplace or the team, in this case, Credit Suisse.

Then there are the technical questions. These require studying and practicing. Depending on what area of finance you want to pursue, there are many guides you can access on Wall Street Oasis that would assist you in the technical stage of the interview. 

Bring Questions To Ask The Interviewer

As your interviewer is wrapping up, they will follow up by asking if you have any questions. It is always a good idea to ask questions to show that you are interested in working at the firm.

Questions can range from topics such as the company culture, responsibilities, expectations, and insight into the organization. While this may help in showing interest, it also allows you to determine whether or not this is a company you would like to work for.

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that you can ask:

1. What does your ideal candidate look like?

2. What does an average day or week look like?

3. How do you define success in this role?

4. Is there anything you would like me to elaborate on? 

5. What challenges do you expect the person in this position to face?

Research and authored by Sandhya Singh 
Reviewed and edited by Parul Gupta