I submitted my resume and portfolio online, and then it was initially screened by the HR department or the system. After passing the initial screening, I was scheduled for the first round of face-to-face interview. The department manager learned about my basic background and career motivation during the interview, and at the same time, I was arranged to have interviews with two other on-the-job colleagues in the group.

I went through multiple interview rounds—primarily video calls, with one main in-person meeting. I met two senior staff members: one was warm and engaging, while the other came across as condescending and dismissive. At times, it felt like my composure was being tested in an unnecessarily high-pressure setting or intentionally to provoke a reaction, which raised some red flags as it does not reflect real world working environments which knowledge and skillsets are tested. During the process, I was asked to present confidential work under NDA and complete a mini assignment. While I complied, it was concerning that the exercise felt more like a way to extract free ideas—something that goes against best practices in the industry. I later learned from internal staff various banks that this approach has been used before, particularly in co-op programs, which raises ethical concerns.