FAQs

We're not aware of any issues if you apply online at the moment. If you are unable to apply online then please give us a call on +44 2078328500 or email us at hsbc.recruitment@hsbc.com.

We receive a large volume of applications. While we make every effort to reply to each candidate as soon as possible, the time period may vary depending on when you applied, and how many applications we have received. If you are successful in your application, we'll let you know as soon as we possibly can. But definitely within three working days of your interview.

We will expect you to know the key facts about first direct. Prepare by having a good look around our corporate website, read the news and talk to anyone you know who is working for us or has worked for us in the past. Be ready to explain your motivation for joining first direct, the financial industry and the specific business area you have applied to. During your interview, show that you are interested in the role and in working for first direct. Don’t be shy about selling yourself. Describe your previous experience and highlight relevant skills and qualities. Have a look at the 'How to apply - Our recruitment process and Interview hints and tips' section - this should give you an idea of how to prepare.

This is a two-way process, so you will be given plenty of opportunities to ask us questions that will help you decide whether first direct is right for you.

We operate a casual dress policy so our people can wear what they feel comfortable in, as long as it's clean, smart and presentable. For your interview though, you might want to create a good first impression by wearing a smart top or shirt (no tie needed) and trousers/skirt.

We will need to check a form of ID at interview so please have to hand some photographic ID. If you are successful in your interview, we will request further ID. Ideally this should be a valid passport, otherwise your full birth certificate along with your most recent P45 or P60. We'll also need proof of address that is less than three months old such as a utility bill or bank statement. It's really important that you provide this as if you're successful we can't make any job offers until we've received it.

Absolutely. Give us a call on +44 2078328500 or email us at hsbc.recruitment@hsbc.com Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first].

This is currently being done virtually through our recruitment system and zoom.

No formal qualifications are needed to work at first direct. We will provide you with relevant, comprehensive training once you join. You will, however, be expected to demonstrate a clear interest in first direct.

However, we will require originals of any qualifications gained in the last 5 years or if none in that period, the highest qualification you have received. We also require a full five-year employment history before you can join us, but we will work with you to find alternative ways to provide any missing information.

Other things to consider are that once we have offered you a role, we complete a number of checks, including a credit check. We look at each case against our criteria and will let you know the outcome as soon as possible. Also a criminal record check is required if you are successful at interview so it's best to be open and honest with us at interview. If you have worked for first direct before whether you can apply again depends on your reason for leaving so why not give us a call to discuss in more detail.

If you still aren’t sure give us a call on +44 2078328500 or email us at hsbc.recruitment@hsbc.com.

First direct are part of the HSBC group. When you click apply now, this will take you to the first direct specific job advert within the HSBC careers page.

Yes. Your personal data in your online application is protected by a secure system denoted by the prefix “https”. Without your username and password, nobody apart from representatives of first direct and its agency partners can access your information.

You can see how your application is progressing by logging in using your e-mail address and password. If you have not received a further update, your application is under review and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Please also check regularly the e-mail account that you used when applying, along with your junk inbox, to ensure that you have not missed any communication from first direct.

Yes. We aim for an inclusive recruitment process. Please let us know if you require any adjustments ahead of the recruitment process. Examples of such adjustments might include the supply of materials in large print or Braille.

For a global bank, being open to different ideas, perspectives and cultures is vital. That is why we work hard to ensure that first direct is a diverse and inclusive environment.

We aim for first direct to be a place where everyone can achieve their potential and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We believe in treating everyone, clients and colleagues, with dignity and respect – whatever their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality or age.

We seek to attract and develop local talent in the communities where we operate. We also continually work hard to support our employees to adopt flexible and alternative ways of working.

We're a big business, so you'll always find opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.

Everyone who joins will have a continuous learning programme over the first 12 to 18 months. Once this is complete, there may well be scope to move into other roles within first direct/HSBC Group.

All vacancies are advertised internally and there are a range of career paths to follow. We encourage everyone to create a Personal Development Plan with their Team Leader, which helps them to focus and work towards their goals. Training and support are available from a range of sources to help you progress.

Because we truly value the efforts of all our people, we do everything we can to ensure that working at first direct is as enjoyable and rewarding an experience as possible. It's not just about the salary and benefits (although ours are excellent). It's about knowing you're part of an organisation that is committed to doing the right thing.

Yes - we operate an annual performance related bonus scheme based on individual and company performance.

We have three pay steps which are learning, developing and qualified rates. Progression through these pay steps is dependent on acquiring and demonstrating the relevant skills, knowledge and capabilities. Individual's progress at different rates, so there is no set time period after which an individual should move up to the next pay step.

We all need holidays to recharge our batteries, so everyone has a generous seven weeks entitlement per year, which includes bank holidays. We calculate holiday entitlement in hours, which means you don't have to take a full day's holiday and can take as little as an hour at a time! We also have a buy or sell holiday scheme so you can have the choice to take more or less holiday - whatever suits you!

We have a very comprehensive flexible benefits package which allows you to create your own benefits package to suit your circumstances. You can select from store vouchers, health club membership, car breakdown cover and loads more!

Because your induction training course is so important we ask you not to take any holidays throughout this period. So, if you've not already told us about your holiday plans, please let us know! We will guarantee to honour any holidays that you've already booked as long as they are at least two weeks after training has finished. Your trainer will talk through the holiday booking process when you start.

Yes. As a new starter you will have a Probationary Period of 6 months. Details of this will be included in the contract of employment.

Your role involves working at a PC for most of your day and you'll be working on multiple screens gathering data and inputting information for your customer. However, we offer extensive training on all our systems. You will need to have good PC skills and can navigate around a keyboard whilst talking to your customer.

At first direct delivering amazing customer service is what we do best. We do this by talking to our customers, opening up conversations, discovering their financial and service needs and making sure that we find suitable solutions. You will not have sales targets, however in order to excel in customer service it is important that you have an excellent knowledge of our products and services. Our training will provide you with the skills, tools and experience you require to deliver this on each and every call.

As if our extensive benefits package wasn’t enough, our on-site facilities are out of this world and are designed to de-stress and save you time that you don’t have. What other company offers you an onsite masseuse, nursery, ironing service and fully equipped gym including Sky TV?

We constantly listen to feedback from our people to ensure we offer a range of services that suit modern day needs and requirements. Forgotten to pick up your prescription or a card and present for Mum’s birthday? No problem. Our friendly concierge pops to the shops every day Monday to Friday so you don’t have to.

Have a look through our impressive range of services which really do help make us a great place to work:

• fantastic on-site nursery (Ofsted rated - Outstanding) – if you have little ones aged from three months up until school age then you can leave them in our safe hands at a subsidised rate. You can also use your flexible benefits package to put towards the cost
• free parking and car sharing options – leave your pride and joy on-site in our secure car park
• concierge and ironing service – whether you need a parcel sending, your favourite shoes repairing, a prescription picking up or your dry cleaning sorting out, our concierge will be more than happy to help at no extra cost
• on-site beauty, hairdressing and therapists – after a hard days work, why not unwind with a massage or perhaps treat yourself to a wide range of on-site beauty treatments or therapy sessions?
• first direct and Arriva have joined together to offer free use of local buses travelling between Leeds City Centre and first direct.
• subsidised travel passes – travel to work by bus or rail with a handy 15% discount (Leeds only)
• prayer room – available on both sites
• on-site restaurant and Costa Coffee shop – with a menu that changes daily, you can choose from a wide range of tasty hot and cold food and beverages
• cash machine and internet café – both on-site for your convenience
• on-site shopping services – we have different traders on-site every day during the week. Treat yourself to some cut price perfume, books, clothing, or even some old fashioned sweets. Flowers are available every Friday to make someone you love feel special.

We have a fantastic Sports and Social Team who arrange many activities you can get involved in. Membership costs only £2 per month, which includes on-site gym membership and entry into a monthly lottery draw. This money helps fund various sports and social events that the team organise on a regular basis. Past events include concerts, trips to the theatre, spa trips, fun days for families, sporting events, holidays and numerous parties.

For many of our full-time opportunities, our training is 5 days per week, Monday to Friday 8:30 to 16:00.

We sometimes are able to offer evening training Monday - Friday, 5-10pm. If this suits you better, keep a look out for these opportunities by checking in regularly.

Our training is a mixture of classroom learning, call listening and on the job learning with plenty of coaching and support.

There's a lot to learn and we want to make sure you're comfortable and confident when you start taking live calls so that you can deliver the amazing service our customers expect. This development will continue throughout your time with us.

The programme itself will combine systems work, product knowledge, procedural processes, telephone skills and customer service training - so you'll pick up new skills before you even start. We appreciate that people learn in different ways and at different speeds, so there'll always be the opportunity for personal practice time, group reviews and role plays.

Additional support and coaching is available from your Induction Trainer, Academy Coaches and your own Team Manager if you need it. We're confident that if you're right for the job and work/play hard during your induction, you'll move from the training to the live environment smoothly - eager to take the next step forward in your career.

Every course has a designated Trainer, and on many occasions you'll meet other Trainers from the department. You'll have regular one-to-one development meetings throughout the course, which will help us make sure the training works for you. You'll be able to discuss your progress and suggest areas where you think you need further support.