I applied online. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Fidelity Investments in Dec 2013
Interview
It is a long process for an entry level position - be patient! I received a voice mail indicating that HR would like to perform a phone screening about a week, 10 days after applying for the position. I called back the next day and scheduled a phone screening for the day after. It last about 20 minutes. One thing I appreciated was right up front I was told the salary range, the fact that some evening hours would be required though the scheduled wasn't decided definitely yet and would I be interested in being considered as a candidate. I was also told that a credit check, criminal background check and drug screening were mandatory and asked if I had an issue with these. I answered some basic questions regarding my customer service philosophy, the types of customer service I had performed in the past, why I left my last position and what I was looking for in a new position. I was told at the end of the call I was going to be passed along to HR for a phone interview. I was advise to learn more about Fidelity (I had done that when I knew I was going to have a phone screening), and to know why I want to work there, be able to explain how I handled customer service challenges in the past and to know something about the financial services industry.
Two days later I had a 45 minute phone interview. I was asked typical questions, asked thoughtful questions regarding what I would be doing in the position. I did know about the different areas of the company, the mission statement, values, etc. I was told that I was going to be asked to come in for an in-person interview and to be sure I knew why I wanted to work for Fidelity, and to know something about the industry.
I arrived at the office and had an overview of the position and a Q&A session with a woman who performs the job and five other candidates. We had a tour of the facility before the interview. I met with two managers. There was a bit of "good cop-bad cop". I think they were trying to see if they could rattle me a bit since obviously dealing with customers there are going to be stressful situations and the managers need to see if you can maintain a professional demeanor.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
There were no difficult questions per se, but they kept asking over and over "so what else do you want to know?" and I was asked "what did you think we would ask you that we didn't?" Then I started to discuss a customer service example and one of the managers said "Oh, I have heard enough about your CS experience, tell me something else". Just be able to know the industry a bit, the difference between tax deferred, tax exempt, etc., whatever will pertain to the area in which you are working.
The background check takes a long time! It took a month for me. If you know there are "no skeletons in your closet", do not be nervous.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Fidelity Investments
Interview
The interview was fairly simple. Do your research on what position your interviewing for. Know something about the area you are looking to go into. I was told I was interviewing for a "DC" role (I had no idea what that meant). DC= 401k, DB= Pensions. Just be confident.