I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at ING (Brussels) in Feb 2021
Interview
First you have to pass several online tests, then you have an interview with the HR, then you have an interview with someone from the track you have chosen (mine was Risk) and the HR and finally you have a business panel. I passed through the tests and the first 2 interviews. However, to get there, first I had to talk to someone at the Risk Track to prove that my skills would have utility in their Risk department because the HR representative was not convinced. During the entire procedure, the HR representative kept asking me about my permit to work in Belgium and I have answered 3 times that I had an active work permit on different occasions. I spent almost 3 months on this procedure and I have talked to the HR representative many times. After 1 month with no feedback after my last interview, I asked them about my situation in the procedure. Their answer could not have been more disappointing: they alleged that they would not pass me because "I did not have a valid work permit for Belgium". Even after all those talks and after I have assured them many times that my work permit was ok. It felt like they put me in a "foreigner box" like I was just someother undocumented person, which I am not. At the time, I demanded proper feedback from them and they answered that they just have moved forward with "more convincing candidates". Well, after that answer it was clear that they did not find anything convincing about me (or my documents). I just wonder why…(irony)
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why do you want to work here?
Why the Risk Track?
Why the trainee program?
What skills do you think would be in good use at this track?
What do you expect from this program?
I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at ING (New York, NY)
Interview
1 Background screen, 1 Test, 2 Behavioral Interviews. Everyone was really nice and kind. The second interview is with more senior members of ING. Still haven't heard back yet regarding an offer, but keeping my fingers crossed.
I applied through university. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at ING
Interview
The whole process has lasted around 2 months for me. Starts with CV screening and basic motivational questions, then followed up with online assessment (intelligence/aptitude, situational and behavioural/match with ING Orange Code). Throughout the selection process, you are contacted multiple times by recruiter who guides you through the process and prepares you for each stage which felt personal and increased my appreciation for this company. Then you are invited to the in-office 1-hour interview with trainee manager and (previous) trainee, where they ask you a lot about motivation for this role, for particular domain of your choice, and a lot of situational questions (Tell me about time...). Use STARR method, and pro tip: prepare examples in advance, mostly based on your core competencies highlighted after online assessment, because you won't have enough time to think of it on spot. Last stage in this selection process is the business panel, but to which I was not invited.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
- Motivation to work in banking sector, ING; why specifically traineeship and not any other position? Make sure to do your research in advance
- What your friends would say are your strengths/weaknesses?
- You may use examples from professional/personal siatuitons + focus on what YOU did and structure with STARR method: Tell me about a time you solved a conflict in the team; provided a critical input into the final outcome of a team; when you accepted a critical feedback and learned from it; about a time you supported you team member in times of challenge; when you needed to convince someone/persuade against doing something; when you adopted new approach to a problem
Thank you for sharing your experience and for the positive feedback on our process. We’re sorry it didn’t lead to an offer this time, and we wish you all the best in finding the right opportunity for your career. ^Monique
It was nice and chill, but some technical questions exist, still need to prepare well. Mostly focused on motivation and general knowledge about bank. Soft skills matter a lot. But in general, more like sharing ideas.
