How we hire.
Here at Schwab, we’re all about giving people the tools they need to own their future. That’s why we’ve created this guide, which provides a step-by-step breakdown of our hiring process, in addition to giving you the resources to prepare for an interview.
Read through each section below to discover how you can find your job fit, update your resume, submit your application, and bring your best self to the interview. Also, be sure to check out the Commonly Asked Questions section at the bottom of this page for information on how to check your job application status, general hiring timelines, and find answers to other important questions.
Commonly asked questions.
Q: How long does the entire hiring process take from application to onboarding?
A: It depends on the role and the team involved in the selection process. We have a highly competitive selection process. Please be patient and leverage your opportunities to network. If you ever have questions during the process, you can check application status by logging into the Talent Network or reply to your assigned Talent Advisor.
Q: Do you perform background checks for all potential employees, and if so, how long does it take to process?
A: Yes, we do. Depending on personal and geographical history, will take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. You will be required to submit a Pre-Employment Drug Test (if applicable) and a Background check which will include criminal history, educational history, residential history, credit history (if applicable), fingerprint processing, and a review of your FINRA licenses (if applicable).
Q: How many people will I interview with?
A: This depends on the role but typically, you will have an initial interview with a Talent Advisor and then an interview with the Hiring Manager; additional interviews may be scheduled depending on the hiring team.
Q: Can I apply to multiple jobs?
A: Yes. We have no rules regarding how many jobs you can apply for. We ask that you pick a select few that best suit your qualifications.
Q: I interviewed/applied last year and wasn’t selected. May I reapply?
A: Yes! We encourage candidates to stay persistent and focus on gaining relevant experience. It’s always a good idea to tailor your resume to include your experience that aligns to the job description.
Q: Do I need a finance degree to work at Charles Schwab?
A: Unless the job listing specifically states so, a finance degree is not always required to work at Charles Schwab. This varies from role to role but we highly value candidate experience and motivation.
Q: Do I have enough experience to apply for this job?
A: At Schwab, we embrace transferrable skillsets. Our job requisitions state required experience or transferrable skills. If you have 90% of what is required, we encourage you to apply! We believe there is a lot more to people (intangibles) than what is on paper.
Q: If I have more questions about the job, who can I talk to?
A: We frequently provide Office Hours with our Talent Acquisition staff. Please check our Virtual Networking page to see when the next one is available!
Q: After I submit my resume, when will I hear back from Schwab about the position that I expressed interest in?
A: If you are selected for an interview, a Talent Advisor will contact you to schedule a preliminary phone screening. If your response to one or more qualifying questions indicates that you do not meet the minimum qualifications for the position, you will be notified by email. Unfortunately, we are not able to contact each individual about their status.
Q: How can I find out the status of my application?
A: You can find out your application status by logging into the Talent Network, checking your profile and choosing the option “View my job submissions.” The box on the right-hand side will reflect your status:
Applied - your application is pending review
Under Review - your application is being reviewed by a Talent Advisor or Hiring Manager
Interview - pending your meeting with the TA or HM
Offer Extended - you've been selected, pending your review of the offer letter
Offer Accepted, Pending Background - pending the background check to process
Pending Start - pending your first day with Schwab!
Hired - pending onboarding!