20 UBS Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, UBS is known for asking tough questions. But with a little preparation, you can ace the interview and get the job.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers that you may be asked during a UBS interview.

UBS Interview Process

The interview process at UBS is long and difficult. It can take up to six months to get hired, and the interviews are very challenging. However, the overall experience is positive, and the company is known for being a great place to work.

1. How do you keep up with the changing trends in international finance?

UBS is a global financial institution that offers services in over 50 countries. The interviewer wants to know how you keep up with the latest trends and developments in international finance, which can help them determine if your skills are current enough for their company. Use examples from your experience of researching new technologies or regulations that affect the industry.

Example: “I have been working in international finance for five years now, so I am familiar with many of the recent changes and trends. However, I still make it a point to stay updated on any new developments. For example, I recently read about blockchain technology and its potential applications in the banking sector. I think this could be an exciting development for UBS.”

2. Tell me about a time where you had to come up with an innovative solution to solve a client’s problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to think outside of the box and come up with unique solutions that benefit clients.

Example: “When I was working as an investment advisor, one of my clients came to me asking for advice on what stocks they should invest in. At first, I recommended some common stocks that were performing well at the time, but after doing more research, I realized these stocks weren’t going to be beneficial for my client. Instead, I looked into other options like bonds and mutual funds. After finding out which ones would work best for my client, I invested their money accordingly.”

3. What is your experience working at an investment bank?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have relevant experience for this role. If you don’t have investment banking experience, consider talking about your experience working in a fast-paced environment or customer service job.

Example: “I worked at my previous company as a financial analyst. My primary responsibility was analyzing data and creating reports for senior management. I also helped create strategies for new clients and assisted with client meetings. Working at my last company taught me how to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects at once.”

4. Do you have any exposure to foreign markets and currencies?

UBS is a global financial services company that offers investment banking, wealth management and asset management services. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with foreign markets and currencies. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience you have working in foreign markets or using foreign currencies.

Example: “I’ve worked in the international business world for over 10 years now, so I have some exposure to foreign markets and currencies. However, my primary focus has been on the U.S. market. In my last role as an equity analyst, I was responsible for analyzing companies within the United States. I also had to use USD when trading stocks.”

5. Have you ever had to work directly with clients who were unhappy with the service they received? What did you do?

UBS wants to know how you handle conflict and whether you can resolve it. This question also helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working with clients who are unhappy or dissatisfied.

Example: “I’ve had a few instances where I worked with clients who were unhappy with their service, but in all cases, they were usually just disappointed that something didn’t go as planned. In these situations, I try to listen to what they’re saying and understand why they feel the way they do. Then, I explain my side of the situation and offer solutions for moving forward.”

6. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

UBS is a large company that often has many teams working together. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you resolve conflict. Use examples from your past experience where you worked with others, even if the situation was not work-related.

Example: “In my last job as an accountant, I had a coworker who would frequently make mistakes in their work. This caused me to spend extra time checking their work and fixing errors. Eventually, I spoke with them about it and they apologized for their mistake. They also promised to be more careful in the future. After that conversation, we were able to work together much better.”

7. UBS does business across many countries around the world from offices in more than 50 countries. Why do you think this approach works for them?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its business practices. It also allows you to show how you can adapt to working in an international setting.

Example: “I think UBS’s approach to doing business across many countries works because it gives them access to more resources, which they can use to their advantage. For example, if one country has a surplus of something, like gold for instance, they can sell that gold to another country that needs it. This helps them make money while also helping other countries.”

8. If hired, what would be your first priority on day one?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate plans their workday. It also gives you insight into what they value most in their job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about your own priorities and how they would align with UBS’s values.

Example: “My first priority on day one would be to learn as much as I could about my new team. I believe that building relationships is an important part of success at any company, so I would want to get to know everyone as quickly as possible. I would also make sure to understand all of the systems and processes within the department. This will help me feel more confident when working independently.”

9. Can you tell us about the last project that you lead and what made it successful?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to work with others and delegate tasks effectively.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with leading a team of five people on a project that involved creating a new marketing strategy for one of our clients. The client wanted us to create an effective social media campaign that would increase their brand awareness. My team and I met regularly to discuss ideas and strategies we could use to meet the client’s needs. We decided to focus on Instagram because it had the most followers compared to other social media platforms. After several weeks of brainstorming, we created a unique marketing plan that increased the client’s Instagram following by 20%.”

10. What are some examples of projects you’ve done at previous companies or organizations?

UBS is a large company, so it’s likely that you’ll work on multiple projects at once. The interviewer wants to know what types of projects you’ve worked on in the past and how they helped your organization or team succeed. Use examples from your resume to show the interviewer what kind of work you’re capable of doing.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for creating marketing campaigns for our clients. This included researching their target audience, finding ways to reach them and developing strategies to increase brand awareness. I also created social media content for our clients’ accounts, which increased engagement with followers and led to more sales.”

11. Do you feel comfortable cold calling potential new clients?

UBS is a financial services company that offers investment banking, wealth management and asset management. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your comfort level with cold calling as part of your job responsibilities. Use past experiences to demonstrate how you overcame any discomfort or anxiety about cold calling and turned it into an effective sales strategy.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for reaching out to new clients through cold calls. At first, I felt uncomfortable making these calls because I wasn’t sure what to say or how to engage the client. However, after practicing my pitch and learning more about UBS’s products and services, I became much more comfortable with cold calling. Now, I feel confident in my ability to reach out to potential clients and make them aware of our services.”

12. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your intentions for the future. If you’re unsure of what you want to do, explain that you are looking for an opportunity where you can grow and develop professionally.

Example: “I hope to still be working at UBS in five years. I’m very passionate about finance, so I would love to continue my career here. In the next few years, I’d like to become a senior financial advisor. I know there are many opportunities for growth within this company, which is why I applied.”

13. Tell me about a situation where you had to navigate through a challenging political environment while trying to get something done. How did you handle it?

UBS is a large company with many departments and divisions. The interviewer wants to know how you will handle the political environment of their organization. Use examples from your past experience that show you can work well in a team, collaborate with others and navigate through challenging situations.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant for a small business, I had to manage several different projects at once. One project was to create a new budget for the company while another was to prepare financial statements. My manager wanted me to complete both tasks by the end of the week, but one task required more time than expected.

I met with my manager and explained the situation. She understood and gave me permission to extend the deadline on the financial statement until the following week so I could finish the budget first. I worked late into the night to get everything done.”

14. What do you know about our financial advisory services?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of UBS and its services. It also helps them determine whether you have done any research on the company before your interview. When preparing for this question, make sure to read up on the financial advisory services that UBS offers. You can even look at their website or brochure to see what they offer.

Example: “I know that UBS provides wealth management solutions to high-net-worth individuals. I am familiar with some of the products and services that UBS offers, such as investment advice, retirement planning and insurance. I understand that UBS has over $2 trillion in assets under management.”

15. Have you ever had to pitch a new idea to your manager? How did you go about doing it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach new ideas and your ability to communicate with others. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to pitch an idea to a manager or supervisor, and explain what steps you took to make sure they understood your idea and were able to support it.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our clients would often call in asking for information about different investment options. They wanted to know more about stocks, bonds and other financial instruments but didn’t know where to start. So, I pitched this idea to my manager, who thought it was a great idea as well. We decided to create a brochure of all the different types of investments so we could hand them out to customers when they called.”

16. How did you hear about this job opening?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how you found out about the job. They want to know if you applied for the position on your own or if someone referred you. If you were referred, they also want to know who referred you so they can get a better idea of what kind of employee you are.

Example: “I saw an advertisement online that UBS was hiring. I applied right away because I have always been interested in working at a large financial institution like this one. I think my skills would be a great fit here.”

17. Are you willing to travel?

UBS is a global company, so employees may be asked to travel for work. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the idea of traveling and that you have experience doing it. If you don’t have much experience traveling for work, explain what your previous job required you to do.

Example: “I am willing to travel as long as I’m given plenty of notice. In my last position, I was often sent out of town on business trips. I always made sure to pack everything I needed in advance and get plenty of rest before leaving. I also learned how to manage my time while away from home.”

18. What type of research do you rely on to help make decisions?

UBS is a financial institution that relies on research to help make decisions about its clients. The interviewer wants to know how you use research and what types of information you look for when making important decisions. Use examples from your past experience to show the interviewer that you can be an asset to UBS’s team.

Example: “I rely on both primary and secondary research to help me make decisions. Primary research involves surveys, interviews and focus groups where I can get feedback directly from customers. Secondary research includes reports and articles written by other experts in the industry. Both are helpful in providing valuable insight into customer needs.”

19. What makes you stand out from other applicants?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. When answering, it’s important to highlight your unique skills and abilities that make you a strong candidate for the position. You may also want to mention any awards or honors you’ve received in the past.

Example: “I have several years of experience working as an accountant, which makes me highly qualified for this role. In my previous job, I was responsible for managing financial records, creating budgets and analyzing data to help my team meet our goals. I’m confident that my skills will be beneficial to UBS because they helped my last employer achieve its revenue targets.”

20. We are looking for someone who can represent the company well externally. Give me an example of a time where you represented a company externally.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can represent a company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the importance of representing a company well and how you did so in the past.

Example: “I was working for a small business that sold handmade jewelry online. I had been with the company for about two years when we decided to start selling our products at local craft fairs. We were all nervous about going into such a large event because we didn’t have much experience. However, I knew that if we wanted to grow as a company, we needed to take risks like this.

At the craft fair, I made sure to talk to every customer who came by our booth. I answered any questions they had and tried my best to make them feel comfortable buying from us. By the end of the day, we had sold out of most of our inventory and received many compliments on our work.”