Svenska Handelsbanken Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process was pretty long but really detailed and thoughtfully put together. I felt like the hiring manager and the talent acquisition team were really supportive from beginning to end. They were professional, easy to talk to, and kept me in the loop. It’s obvious they put a lot of effort into hiring the right people. They took their time to really get to know my background, what I value, and what I could bring to the table, instead of rushing the decision. It felt open, respectful, and like a company that cares a lot about getting good people and making sure they fit the culture for the long run.

I applied online and had a first chat with Karen about my experience and why I wanted the job. She also told me more about the role and the company to see if it was a good fit for both of us. Then, we set up a formal interview over Teams with the district head and an HR person. For this, I had to do a presentation about myself (SWOT analysis) and my plans for the first year if I got the job. They asked me questions about my presentation and some general questions about my skills. The second interview was in person at a branch. They gave me a mortgage application for a made-up customer and asked me to explain if I'd approve it and why. We also talked about my previous work experience, how I could use those skills here, and what I wanted to achieve in the role. The whole experience felt really friendly and conversational, especially the first call and the second interview. The Teams interview was different because it wasn't just competency questions; the SWOT and 12-month plan presentation made it more relaxed and conversational. It was a thorough but personal process overall.

I had a really positive interview experience with Handelsbanken. The interview was held in person at the branch and everyone I met was friendly and welcoming from the start. The interviewers explained the format and timing upfront which immediately helped me feel comfortable. Although they had set questions to work through, the conversation felt relaxed and informal rather than rigid or intimidating. They took the time to make sure I felt at ease before getting into the questions, and I appreciated how open and transparent they were about the role and what working at the branch would be like. Overall, it was a well-organised, approachable interview process and a great reflection of the bank’s culture.

The interview process at Handelsbanken was quite disappointing. Although the technical interview part itself was well-done with good questions and a smooth process, the overall experience was soured by poor communication and unprofessionalism. I experienced significant delays in email responses, which left me uncertain about the next steps. This lack of quick replies makes it seem like they don't respect candidates' time and shows poor recruitment practices. I was expecting a more organized and respectful process, but this experience has unfortunately created a negative impression of the company.