Overall Experience: Negative
Description:
Applied for a role at O-Bank Hong Kong Branch and went through the initial phone screening.
The phone screening was abrupt and unprofessional. The recruiter spoke in a confrontational tone, questioning my employment history skeptically (e.g. implying it was unreasonable to expect salary progression even after clarification) and there were audio issues that made communication difficult.
I was asked to pay approximately HK$280 out-of-pocket for a TransUnion (TU) credit report, with reimbursement only after passing probation – a policy that feels burdensome for candidates.
In a follow-up call, I was pressured to confirm availability and questioned aggressively about whether I was still interested in the role.
The overall tone and handling from HR felt unprofessional and discourteous, which ultimately led me to withdraw from the process and not proceed further.
Advice to Management: Improve recruiter training on communication and empathy. Reconsider requiring candidates to cover upfront costs for mandatory checks, and ensure consistency between written and verbal deadlines. A more respectful and candidate-focused approach would better reflect the bank's reputation.