Visa Recruitment 2024/25 Practice Guide | Job Application, Interviews, Assessment Centre

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SUMMARY

Are you aspiring to work at Visa? This guide is for you. Learn everything from the application process, assessments, and interviews at Visa, and our essential tips to help you land a job at Visa anywhere, including the UK and US.

Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessments tests, interviews and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practice and prepare for the recruitment and assessment process.

Not sure if you should practice for Visa recruitment? Recent research has proven that 60-80 candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is also proven that practicing beforehand increases your chances of getting hired.

IN A NUTSHELL

How to prepare for the Visa tests and interviews to land the job?

1. Fill in your Visa Job Application Form Online

• Complete the application form, write a cover letter and attach a resume.
• Tailor your application to Visa core values
• Submit before the application deadline.

2. Practice for Visa Online Tests

Visa uses a variety of psychometric tests for its recruitment. Depending or on the role or region, these may include:

• Gamified assessments
• Numerical Reasoning Tests
• Abstract Reasoning Tests
• Verbal Reasoning Tests

You may get rejected already after your assessment tests. These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates. The only proven way to get to the next round is to practice.

3. Record Mock Video Interviews of Yourself

Prepare for your Visa interview by running mock interviews answering typical technology and finance interview questions. For Visa interview practice, use:

• a smartphone
• Zoom or
• our video interview practice platform 

Our video interview tool which offers standard competency and industry questions and emulates the same experience as top platforms like HireVue, Pymetrics and Sonru. Record your responses and watch them to improve your interview technique, timekeeping, and vocabulary.

4. Practice for Visa Technical Challenge

Prepare for the technical challenge by brushing up on your technical skills relevant to the job before the challenge. For your Visa technical test:

• Use a device that meets the recommended requirements
• Ensure your technology is functional
• Ask questions when unsure 

5. Prepare for the Visa Final Stage Exercises

Visa uses a range of competitive exercises during the final assessment stage to select the most suitable candidates. Ensure to practice different exercises, including:

• Individual exercise
• Group discussion
• Group presentation
• Final interview

Prepare for the final interview with a senior manager and potential team member by practising strength-based and competency-based questions to boost your chances of getting hired. 
For the interview, ensure to:

• Dress appropriately
• Tailor your responses to the job requirements and Visa values
• Show your confidence through clear communication

Continue reading to find answers to the following crucial questions:

1. How can I apply to work at Visa?
2. What do the Visa psychometric tests involve?
3. How can I ace the Visa technical challenge?
4. How can I ace the Visa final interview?
5. What careers at Visa are open to students and graduates?

Practice psychometric tests similar to Visa simply by clicking on the test of your choice in the table below to have an edge right away!

That’s the basics to landing your dream job at Visa. Let’s now dive into the details to uncover key tips behind the process.

In this unique guide, you will learn…

Contents

1. What is Visa?
2. Visa Application Form
3. Visa Online Tests
4. Visa Phone Interview
5. Visa Technical Challenge
6. Visa Final Stage Assessment
7. Visa Student and Graduate Opportunities
8. Visa Recruitment FAQs

Let’s get into it right away!

What is Visa?

Visa Inc. is a global leader in digital payments, enabling transactions across over 200 countries and territories between consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and government entities.

Visa’s offerings include mobile payments, credit cards, commercial payments, merchant solutions, and other digital services. The fintech giant is operational in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa and is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.A. Job prospects in Visa include:

• Software engineers
• Data scientists
• Cyber security experts
• Product managers
• Data engineers
• Finance managers

It is important to have a good knowledge of Visa’s work values for your application, regardless of the role you are applying for. Let’s take a look at these Visa core values.

Visa Values

What are Visa’s core values?

Visa prioritises both the environmental and social well-being of people across the globe. This is evident in its operations over the years and product offerings. More specifically, Visa’s core values include:

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Responsibility: Visa strategically focuses on ESG topics in five key areas, including:
  1. Investing in its workforce 
  2. Empowering people, communities, and economies 
  3. Securing commerce and protecting customers 
  4. Protecting the planet 
  5. Operating responsibly

• Social Impact: Visa is committed to empowering everyone through knowledge and skill-building tools for equitable access to reliable, convenient ways to move money.

• Inclusion and Diversity: Visa values all its employees’ unique identities and contributions. The company prioritises an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Having learned Visa’s values, let’s review the application process to work at Visa.

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Visa Application Form

How do I apply to work with Visa?

Completing the Visa job application form is the first step towards landing a job at Visa regardless of the role you are applying for. Job openings are posted on Visa’s official website or on the official Visa LinkedIn profile.

You will need to provide the following information:

• Name
• Contact details
• Educational qualifications
• Resume upload
• Social media details

4 Tips to Pass the Visa Online Application

1. Go through the job requirements and be sure that you meet all the requirements before applying to Visa. Make sure to apply before the set application deadline.
2. Provide all the required details and documents when completing the Visa application form.
3. Link your LinkedIn account. Providing a link to your social media account, especially LinkedIn on the application page is a good way to build credibility for yourself.
4. Write a strong cover letter in the provided column. Be sure to highlight your skills and competencies relevant to the position and your passion for the job.

These are the key details for the Visa online application. If your application is approved, you will be asked to sit some psychometric tests, depending on the position.

Let’s learn more about these Visa online assessments below!

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Visa Online Tests

What are the Visa online tests?

The Visa online psychometric tests are the next stage of your application after completing the application form. Visa psychometric tests may vary according to the role. Visa psychometric tests are provided by Hudson Assessments. 

These tests may include:

1. Gamified assessments
2. Numerical reasoning tests
3. Abstract reasoning tests
4. Verbal reasoning tests

Keep reading as we dive into the details of these tests, along with key tips to prepare!

1. Visa Gamified Assessment

What is the Visa gamified assessment?

The Visa gamified assessments are digital tests in the form of games designed to evaluate a candidate’s cognitive abilities, personality traits, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Visa recruiters also use these digital games that test your memory, arithmetic ability, problem-solving ability, or workstyle preferences.

HOW TO PASS THE VISA GAMIFIED ASSESSMENTS

5 Top Tips to Pass the Visa Gamified Assessments

1. Check the job description to understand which skills are required for the role. Consider which gamified assessment measures these skills to hone your practice.

2. Practice game-based assessments ahead to sharpen your skills and improve your performance during the real Visa assessment.

3. Ensure your mind and thoughts are clear. Make sure you are settled and have no distractions as these Visa game assessments require concentration. 

4. Use the recommended browser and device by Visa and Hudson as using a substandard browser or device for the game may affect the software and your performance.

5. Pay attention to the objectives of the game. Always keep in mind what is expected of you during the Visa test and how to demonstrate skills during the tasks.

For even more tips to pass your Visa game assessments, don’t miss our short video below!

Now, let’s take a look at another Visa assessment: the Visa numerical reasoning test.

2. Visa Numerical Reasoning Test

What is the Visa numerical reasoning test?

The Visa numerical reasoning test is aimed at assessing a person’s ability to understand and work with numerical data. The test involves carrying out basic calculations and the interpretation of data provided in graphs, charts, tables, and charts.

Visa-style Numerical Reasoning Test Example

Know the answer? Check if you are right at the bottom of the page!

HOW TO PASS THE VISA NUMERICAL REASONING TEST

5 Top Tips to Pass the Visa Numerical Reasoning Test

1. Brush up on basic maths concepts such as percentages, ratios, conversions, and averages. Practice mental arithmetic to improve your speed during this Visa test.

2. Practice numerical tests to get familiar with popular numerical calculations used in the Visa numerical reasoning test and improve your ability to solve them.

3. Understand the format of the test, as the Visa numerical test may include multiple-choice, single-choice, or even written answers.

4. Estimate when unsure to save time and increase your chances of completing the Visa test within the time limit.

5. Make notes by jotting down important details, drawing diagrams, or making rough calculations to help you solve the problems during the Visa test faster.

For more sure tips on how to ace Visa numerical reasoning test, check out this short video below:

Let’s review the Visa abstract reasoning test, another test you may encounter on your journey to Visa.

3. Visa Abstract Reasoning Test

What is the Visa abstract reasoning test?

The Visa abstract reasoning test is designed to assess your ability to assess your strategic thinking ability. This test involves identifying the relationship between shapes, images, and patterns.

Using the tips you’ve learned above and from the video, practice this logical reasoning question below, similar to the Visa abstract reasoning tests!

Visa-style Verbal Reasoning Test Example

Check the bottom of the page to confirm your answer!

HOW TO PASS THE VISA ABSTRACT REASONING TEST

5 Key Tips to Pass the Visa Abstract Reasoning Test

1. Practice abstract reasoning exercises and puzzles beforehand to improve your ability to recognize patterns quickly.

2. Visualise solutions by quickly manipulating the shapes in your mind when solving to see how a pattern might change from the given sequence.

3. Break down complex patterns into smaller parts, try to examine each step or element one after the other to understand the pattern.

4. Budget enough time for each question and move on to the next question to save time if you are stuck.

5. Eliminate wrong options first to help you narrow down your choices to the right answer.

It is very important to prepare well ahead for your Visa abstract reasoning test to boost your chances of success. Here are 5 more key ways you can prepare:

You may also be required to complete a Visa verbal reasoning test. Let’s find out what it involves!

4. Visa Verbal Reasoning Test

What is the Visa verbal reasoning test?

The Visa verbal reasoning test assesses your ability to understand and use written information. In the test, you will be required to read statements, passages, or questions, and to use your critical thinking to provide the correct answer.

Visa-Style Verbal Reasoning Test Example

HOW TO PASS THE VISA VERBAL REASONING TEST

5 Top Tips to Pass the Visa Verbal Reasoning Test

1. Practice verbal reasoning exercises to help you get familiar with the concepts and formats used.

2. Understand the question type before attempting it as Visa verbal reasoning assessments can vary in question types like true/false statements, logical deductions, and inferences.

3. Focus on key information to pinpoint the main ideas and other relevant details in the given text. You can jot them down to help you when attempting to answer.

4. Answer carefully to avoid making assumptions and rather focus on what is clearly stated. Don’t allow personal biases to affect your responses.

5. Cross-check before submitting by going over your work again to be sure about the answers before submitting it.

These tips will help you prepare and pass Visa assessments. Let’s now check out what is involved in the Visa phone interview, the next stage of the recruitment process.

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Visa Phone Interview

What is the Visa phone interview?

You will move on to the Visa phone interview when you pass the assessments. A member of the recruiting team will contact you to get to know you on a personal level. You may be asked strength-based, motivational, or competency-based questions in the course of the interview.

HOW TO PASS THE VISA PHONE INTERVIEW

4 Top Tips to Pass the Visa Phone Interview

1. Have all your documents ready with you. Ensure to have your resume, details of the job description, and other important notes with you should you need to refer to them.

2. Stay in a quiet environment. Taking the call in a quiet environment away from distractions will help to focus better and answer the questions you will be asked.

3. Speak clearly. Try to speak clearly so as to demonstrate your confidence. Use clear language so the interviewer can readily understand you.

4. Tailor your responses to Visa’s core values. Use your knowledge of Visa’s core values from your research and align your responses according to them. This will make a good impression on your employer.

If you are applying for a technical role at Visa, the recruitment team will set up a technical challenge for you to complete as part of the next stage. Read on to find out more!

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Visa Technical Challenge

What is the Visa technical challenge?

The Visa technical challenge gives you real-world tasks that you may encounter as part of your job at Visa which are mostly moderate to high difficulty. Visa is a fintech firm with many job roles that involve technical work; therefore, they will want to make sure you are competent in the role. 

HOW TO PASS THE VISA TECHNICAL CHALLENGE

5 Tips to Pass the Visa Technical Challenge

1. Brush up on your technical skills. Practice the technical skills involved in the role beforehand to keep you sharp and ready for the challenge.

2. Review your past projects. Try and revisit projects you have done in the past that are relevant to the job. Be prepared to discuss your methods or approaches when solving technical problems.

3. Understand the job description. Go over the job description again to understand what is required of the candidate. Make sure you stick to the requirements during the challenge.

4. Show your problem-solving skills. Try to show clearly how you arrived at the solution to the challenge and not just the correct answer. Interviewers are often keen on how you approach a problem to find solutions.

5. Ask questions. Feel free to ask for clarification if you are unsure about any part of the challenge. Employers appreciate candidates who are willing to ask questions on the job.

Successfully completing this challenge means you are just a few steps away from landing the Visa job of your dreams. 

The next stage may be a final interview or participation in the Visa assessment centre, depending on the role or region you are applying from. Let’s find out more below!

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Visa Final Stage Assessment

What is the Visa final stage assessment?

The Visa assessment centre is a hub for you to interact with your employer and fellow job applicants in different assessments. This is done physically at Visa offices, and skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork will be assessed.

The Visa assessment centre involves various activities which include:

1. Individual exercise
2. Group exercise
3. Group presentation
4. Final interview

Read on as we explore each of these activities below.

1. Visa Individual Exercise

What is the Visa individual exercise?

For the Visa individual exercise, you will be given tasks that may include technical exercises, case studies, and role-play scenarios to assess your communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

4 Tips to Pass the Visa Individual Exercise

1. Practice technical exercises relevant to your field before attending the Visa assessment centre. This will keep you sharp to complete the tasks.
2. Follow the instructions and do not rely solely on your own experience from past roles. Stick to the guidelines for each task and work with the details given.
3. Be mindful of the time provided for the exercise and work according to it. Budget enough time both for attempting and reviewing your work.
4. Feel free to express yourself if the challenge demands that. Be prepared to explain your decisions freely.
5. Use available resources if allowed during the exercise. This may be data, reference materials, or gadgets to assist you in completing the task more effectively.

2. Visa Group Exercise

What is the Visa group exercise?

During the Visa group exercise, you will be grouped with other candidates and asked to work as a team to solve a problem, reach a decision, or complete a task. The group exercise assesses communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

5 Tips to Pass the Visa Group Exercise

1. Discuss with your team members, listen to them share their ideas and perspectives, and give constructive comments if necessary.
2. Work collaboratively with your team members, and build on their ideas to decide on an approach together.
3. Feel free to ask your team members or recruiters some questions when necessary as this will offer more insight and improve your overall performance.
4. Be respectful and avoid confrontation with team members or recruiters. Show respect for differing opinions while maintaining a positive attitude.
5. Assume leadership if the opportunity arises, lead your team by designating roles, keeping the discussion on track, and managing time.

Here’s a short video that offers more insight to help you ace a group exercise.

3. Visa Group Presentation

What is the Visa group presentation?

The Visa group presentation requires you and your team members to give a presentation on a specific topic or problem. Each member will be required to make a contribution to the presentation.

5 Top Tips to Pass the Visa Group Presentation

1. Prepare the presentation with your team members, practice openings and endings, and make sure everyone understands what is involved.
2. Create a clear, well-structured presentation with a good introduction, main points, and conclusion to allow a coherent flow of ideas.
3. Involve your audience in the presentation by asking them questions, gesturing properly, and maintaining eye contact.
4. Be flexible and have a plan B to accommodate unexpected changes or challenges that may arise during the presentation.
5. Support team members and try to encourage everyone during the presentation. Acknowledge their input and use some of their points to show cooperation.

4. Visa Final Interview

What is the Visa final interview?

The Visa final interview is likely held face-to-face at a Visa office. During the interview, you may be asked competency or strength-based questions, and it will be a great opportunity to convince your employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

5 Top Tips to Pass the Visa Final Interview

1. Have your credentials ready, as you may need to refer to them during the course of the interview. Bring a copy of your resume and any other important documents or details you may need.
2. Dress professionally in an outfit that is appropriate for the role you are applying for. This will make a good impression on your Visa recruiters.
3. Maintain relaxed eye contact with your interviewer when speaking to demonstrate your confidence and leave a good impression on them.
4. Tailor your responses to Visa’s core values and ensure that they do not go against them. 
5. Use the STAR+R method to answer the Visa competency interview questions. Outline the situation, what you had to do, what actions you took, the results and what you had learned.

Find out more about how to answer questions using the STAR+R method for the Visa final stage interview with our quick tips video below.

EXAMPLE OF VISA INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: What are you bringing to Visa?

Good Answer: As a software developer, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to Visa’s mission of transforming digital payments through technological innovations and reliability. My years of experience as a cyber security expert have allowed me to gain skills that will be pivotal in developing software solutions.

In my previous role, for example, I led a team in developing a software system that enhanced transaction security through the integration of a third-factor authentication. I hope to bring my technical skills to Visa and contribute to its continued success in transforming global payment solutions.

Question: Can you discuss a time you worked as part of a team?

Good Answer:

• Situation: In my former position as a software manager, I was assigned to a team tasked with developing our CRM software for our clients in the financial sector.
• Task: I was to oversee the project’s technical aspects and work with cross-functional teams. The challenge we faced was the tight deadline set for the project.
• Action: To ensure that the project was completed within the deadline, I scheduled regular meetings to identify bottlenecks, establish communication channels among the team members, define project goals, and share resources and responsibilities effectively.
• Result: Through our collaborative efforts and proper planning, we successfully delivered the CRM upgrade ahead of the deadline. Interestingly, our client reported a 35% increase in user satisfaction due to the software’s enhanced features and intuitive interface. This also resulted in a 25% increase in client retention for the company.
• Reflection: This experience taught me the importance of effective communication and proper planning in delivering successful software projects. I have come to understand the importance of adaptability and quick decision-making in urgent projects, and I intend to continue having a collaborative mindset that encourages innovation and efficiency in project management.

Congratulations if you make it past this stage! You will be contacted with a job offer shortly afterwards to resume your new role with Visa.

That’s the full gist of the Visa recruitment process. Before you go, let’s check out the various opportunities at Visa for students and graduates!

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Visa Student and Graduate Opportunities

What are the Visa Student and Graduate opportunities?

Visa offers a range of career opportunities to students and graduates alike. These include:

• Visa Graduate Programs
• Visa Students Internship Programs

Visa Graduate Programs

What are the Visa Graduate programs?

Visa provides graduate opportunities open to individuals looking to kick-start their careers with a professional role. These programs include:

• Visa Leadership Associate Graduate Program
• Visa Client Services Development Program
• Visa Consulting and Analytics Graduate Program
• Visa Olympics SMB Program Manager

VISA LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATE GRADUATE PROGRAM

What is the Visa Leadership Associate Graduate Program?

The Visa Leadership Associate Graduate program is a rotational programme offering a unique development experience to individuals looking to build the broad capabilities necessary to pursue a career at Visa. 

This program covers four six-month special rotational assignments across the business over two years to enable graduates to hone their business acumen at Visa. It is available at Visa offices across the globe, and all degrees are eligible for the program.

VISA CLIENT SERVICES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

What is the Visa Client Services Development Program?

The Visa Client Services Development Program is a dynamic two-year program designed to immerse candidates in the world of Client Services. Selected candidates will be part of the cohort where collective learning and growth are at the centre of the experience.

This program is open only to BA and BS graduates majoring in any field of study. It kicks off in August and only U.S. applicants are eligible.

VISA CONSULTING AND ANALYTICS GRADUATE PROGRAM

What is the Visa Consulting and Analytics Graduate Program?

The Visa Consulting and Analytics Graduate program is an opportunity for graduates to join Visa as associates. Candidates will get access to ad hoc training resources, project coaching, and more to accelerate their career paths.

This program starts in September and is open only to candidates residing in Europe with a legal work permit.

VISA OLYMPICS SMB PROGRAM MANAGER

What is the Visa Olympics SMB Program Manager?

The Visa Olympics SMB Program Manager is a special opportunity for the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The candidate will play a major role in leading the French activities with Pan-European and global accounts serving the Small and Medium Business segment.

The role is part of the Merchant Sales and Acquirers organisation based in Paris and is open to both Bachelor’s or Graduate-level degree holders. Candidates will also be considered for employment at the end of the program.

Visa Student Internship Programs

What are the Visa internship programs? 

The Visa Internship program is open to students studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. The available programs include:

• Visa Government Engagement Summer Internship
• Visa Consulting and Analytics Internship
• Visa Global Finance Internship program
• Visa Worldwide Marketing MBA Intern

VISA GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT SUMMER INTERNSHIP

What is the Visa Government Engagement Summer Internship?

The Visa Government Engagement Summer Internship is an 11-week program providing candidates an opportunity to handle challenging work, build their skills, and network with fellow interns and Visa employees. 

The program is open only to candidates in their penultimate year of university and residing in Europe. It starts in June and runs through September.

VISA CONSULTING AND ANALYTICS INTERNSHIP

What is the Visa Consulting and Analytics Internship program?

The Visa Consulting and Analytics Internship program is also an 11-week summer internship program that offers students the opportunity to build their skills in consulting and analytics. Selected candidates will be given end-to-end projects to complete and will be required to take part in different training sessions.

This program is only available for students in Europe in their penultimate year of study for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. It starts in June or July.

VISA GLOBAL FINANCE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

What is the Visa Global Finance Internship Program?

The Visa Global Finance Internship Program is designed to immerse candidates in the payments industry, allowing them to work with top Finance professionals to build their skills. Candidates will be involved in two executive speaker series, covering Finance and the broader Visa organisation. 

At the end of the program, they will have the opportunity to present one or more projects to Visa’s Finance Leadership team.

The program is open only to U.S. residents with a B.S. or B.A. in a technical field pursuing an MBA degree and graduating from December to August. They must have at least 3-5 years of professional experience.

VISA WORLDWIDE MARKETING MBA INTERNSHIP

What is the Visa Worldwide Marketing MBA Internship?

The Visa Worldwide Marketing MBA Internship program is an opening for individuals to join the newly-formed Visa Global Content Strategy, Development, and Distribution team as a supporting member. They will be responsible for a range of creative and analytical projects requiring integration, collaboration, and action.

This program is for students pursuing an MBA degree, graduating between December and August. Only U.S. applicants are eligible.

That’s all about Visa careers. If you have other questions concerning Visa recruitment, here are the top questions other candidates are asking.

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Visa Recruitment FAQs