I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Union Bank (Irvine, CA) in Sep 2011
Interview
I applied online and got a response after 2 weeks to set up a phone interview. After the phone interview I was invited to come in along with 20 other candidates for a presentation given by the Credit Associate Manager. We were then instructed to write a one page essay answering our understanding of the position and why we wanted it (due by the end of the week). The final step in the process is a panel interview with mostly behavioral questions and some technical questions. My advice is to actively participate during the information session and take thorough notes to use when writing the essay.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Union Bank in Apr 2014
Interview
Applied on-line, and through a former employee who directed me to their posting. 2 weeks later I received an e-mail from Juan Donis who scheduled a phone interview the following day. Simple interview questions. Asked about excel experience 1-10, if you rate yourself in the upper half of that scale prepare to be asked a few technical questions about those skills.(i.e. V-lookups, H-lookups, Pivot Tables, etc). Make yourself as available as possible for an interview. I was working full time and was looking to transition, but my availability to interview was limited, which reflected negatively. They also do not want to hear that you are waiting to hear from other companies, or that you have other interviews lined up. I had 2 and told them, and they didn't like it.
I did eventually get a follow-up panel interview a week later. I was asked a few behavioral questions, and other common interview questions. I remember them asking if I had any experience "building customer relationships" and to provide an example. Again, nothing too out of the ordinary. I did really well in the interview wasn't caught off guard by anything, I believe they were looking for someone with more an accounting background, greater availability, and who didn't have to transition out of full-time job. (I hold a B.A. in Political Science-Public Law with a minor in Business Economics.)
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Do you have experience with v-lookups, h-lookups, pivot tables, and analyzing financial statements? Do you have any experience with building customer relationships? Describe a time you taught someone something. Nothing too unexpected though.