Asset Allocation Research Associate

Applied online to this position. Knew nobody inside the firm. About 2 weeks after I got a call asking whether I could do a phone interview the next day. The phone interview lasted only 20 minutes and I only has to answer 4 questions. I got the idea that the phone interview was just a means to check whether you're a somewhat normal person. I know more people who applied to UBS (other divisions though) and a 15-20 minute phone interview and all were invited to the AC. It's all about not saying something stupid and just answering the questions. They wanted to know why I wanted to do research, why UBS and then 2 competency questions (a time you took a risk and when I missed a deadline).

Then a few days after I got the call that I was invited for the AC, that would be taking place within 2 days. A little weird that they give you such short notice but again, I've heard the exact same from other people who applied to UBS. Maybe it's their purpose to give you little time to prepare so that they see the 'real' you or whatever. Anyway, the AC consisted of 2 1-on-1 interviews, 1 group discussion and 1 individual presentation. Most of the questions in the 1-on-1 were technical and about my resume. Didn't get more than maybe 2 competency questions. The group discussion was about a company that had to make a decision on where to invest X million dollars. The group obviously had to come up with reasons as to why Y investment was the best option. The individual presentation required you to do a SWOT analysis on some company (obviously you were given information). Wasn't difficult. Then you had to answer some follow-up questions during your presentation.

Everyone also had to retake the numerical test (paper-version though) but that shouldn't pose any problems, it's just as easy as the online one.

Didn't get the offer. We were also with 6 people for 1 spot so competition was heavy. I don't think this is 'normal' though, especially for SA's I'd expect a much higher conversion rate.