Which system does HSBC use?
HSBC operates at least two separate candidate-facing systems. mycareer.hsbc.com — its main external job-search portal — runs on Avature, confirmed by Avature-specific page metadata; there's no live Avature vendor page on this site to cross-link, so we're stating the finding directly rather than linking it. A separate UK application backend, apply.careers.hsbc.com, is built on SAP SuccessFactors — see our [SAP SuccessFactors vendor page](/ats-systems/sap-successfactors) for how that platform generally works.
Verification: mycareer.hsbc.com carries Avature-specific page metadata (meta-avature.portal.id, meta-avature.portal.name: "External Careers"). apply.careers.hsbc.com serves assets from rmkcdn.successfactors.com and its cookie policy names SAP as a service provider. A linked "Job Matcher" tool on the same portal resolves to an Eightfold AI sandbox domain, suggesting HSBC's recruitment technology stack spans more than one vendor rather than a single system.
Read our full SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting application guide →
More than one system — what we could verify
Third-party evidence pointed to Avature as HSBC's recruitment platform, and that's confirmed for mycareer.hsbc.com — its page metadata carries Avature-specific portal identifiers. But HSBC's UK candidate application flow, apply.careers.hsbc.com, is a separate system running on SAP SuccessFactors, evidenced by SuccessFactors-branded asset paths and cookie-policy language naming SAP as a data processor. A linked candidate-matching tool on the same portal points to an Eightfold AI domain. Rather than naming one vendor, this page states what we found: HSBC's recruitment technology is multi-vendor, and which system you land on may depend on which portal or region you're applying through.
What "immersive assessment" actually means
HSBC's own official video transcript states: "Our online assessments are interesting, and immersive experiences, designed to give you the opportunity to see what it's like working at HSBC and, through real-life scenarios, allow us to assess how your skills align with the role you've applied to." That's HSBC's own language — "immersive" describes the assessment experience, not a named, branded product.
Some third-party test-prep sites attribute the assessment to a specific vendor, Cappfinity — we could not find that attribution on any official HSBC page, so we're not stating it as fact. If you've seen it claimed elsewhere, treat it as an unverified third-party claim rather than something HSBC has confirmed.
The graduate and intern process: three stages
HSBC's own application guide and process transcript describe a consistent three-stage early-careers journey: an online application form (around 10–15 minutes, covering eligibility questions plus a CV/transcript upload); one or two online assessment stages (around 40 minutes each, using "immersive" audio/video content, mock emails, data tables and short video responses); and an assessment centre — branded "Super Days" in the US — typically around 3 hours, mostly virtual but sometimes in person, involving multiple interviews and exercises plus time with HSBC staff.
For shorter "insight and experience" programmes, HSBC states the assessment centre stage is usually replaced with a single online interview instead. HSBC also points candidates to preparation resources — a "Candidate Hub," a "Practice Zone," and a chatbot named "Stitt."
Experienced-hire applications
HSBC doesn't publish a distinctly staged, timed process for experienced hires the way it does for graduates. Its general "application hints and tips" page describes a CV/application submission, online assessments (unnamed vendor) to test role suitability, and an interview stage that takes one of two forms: "On Demand Video" interviews via partner Modern Hire, answered asynchronously against pre-set questions, or "Live Video, Telephone, or In-Person" interviews lasting roughly 30–60 minutes depending on role. HSBC states interviews assess "your compatibility with HSBC's values."
HSBC's four values, and reasonable adjustments
HSBC publishes four values it ties directly to recruitment assessment: We get it done ("moving at pace and making things happen"), We value difference ("seeking out different perspectives"), We take responsibility ("holding ourselves accountable and taking the long view"), and We succeed together ("collaborating across boundaries"). These are presented as narrative statements, not a scored competency framework with proficiency levels.
HSBC documents built-in accessibility features across its assessments: screen-reader and assistive-software compatibility, closed captions and transcripts for video/audio content, colour-independent chart design, untimed online assessments, and the option to request additional interview time. HSBC's guidance encourages candidates to "be honest about what you need," with requests made via the application form or directly with the local recruitment team. Note also that the actual employing entity for a UK role may be HSBC UK Bank plc or HSBC Bank plc rather than the group parent, HSBC Holdings plc — worth checking on your specific offer letter.
Preparing your application: the checklist
Every item follows from the documented process above — nothing here is folklore.
- Know that mycareer.hsbc.com (Avature) is HSBC's main job-search portal, but your actual UK application may complete on a separate SAP SuccessFactors-based system, apply.careers.hsbc.com — see our SAP SuccessFactors vendor page for general platform behaviour.
- Budget around 10–15 minutes for the initial online application form if you're applying to a graduate or intern scheme.
- Prepare for HSBC's "immersive" online assessments — audio/video content, mock emails, data tables, and short video responses — typically around 40 minutes per stage, one or two stages depending on the programme.
- If invited to an assessment centre ("Super Day"), budget around 3 hours, mostly virtual; shorter insight/experience programmes typically substitute a single online interview instead.
- For experienced-hire roles, expect either an On Demand Video interview (via Modern Hire, answered asynchronously) or a Live Video, Telephone or In-Person interview of 30–60 minutes.
- Prepare specific examples reflecting HSBC's four stated values: We get it done, We value difference, We take responsibility, We succeed together.
- Request adjustments early if you need them — HSBC documents accessibility features (screen-reader compatibility, captions, untimed assessments, extra interview time) and a direct request route via the application form or local recruitment team.