Careers at American Express
American Express is a multinational financial services company that was established in 1850 as a freight company, but has since expanded to become the fourth largest card network globally - just behind China UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard.
American Express, or Amex as it is also known, offers careers in the following business areas:
- Customer Service
- Technology
- Sales and Relationship Management
- Marketing
- Product
- Finance
- Analytics and Risk Management
- Travel & Lifestyle Customer Service
- Corporate Functions
With 55 offices worldwide, Amex offers financial services in 110 countries. Employees can choose to work in US and Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, and has been voted one of the Fortune 100 Global Best Companies to Work For, and one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials.
Employees at American Express benefit from a company focused on holistic mental, physical, and financial wellbeing, with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, disability benefits, and care assistance alongside annual incentive awards based on individual and company performance.
The core values of American Express reflect not only how the business wants to be viewed by their customers, but also what the recruitment team will be looking for in an employee. Throughout the recruitment process, keep these values in mind. These are:
- We back our customers
- We make it great
- We do what's right
- We respect people
- We embrace diversity
- We stand for inclusion
- We win as a team
- We support our communities.
While there are many opportunities for experienced professionals, there are great options for students including undergraduate internships, graduate programmes, MBA internships, and technology apprenticeships - and these can all be applied for online.
American Express Recruitment Process
Every application for open positions at Amex starts with an online application form. If you are unsure of the business area that might be most suitable for you, then you can upload your CV online to be matched to open roles that suit your skills, experience and education.
The stages and specific order of the application process will depend on the level of the role and business area you have applied for.
American Express Online Application
The online application follows a standard format, including uploading your CV and cover letter, and answering some basic questions about yourself, including contact details.
There will be some 'motivational' questions, looking for why you want to work at Amex, and this is a good place to begin demonstrating your passion for the role.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to the next stage of the application process (which depends on the programme you are applying for).
American Express Aptitude Tests
There are several possible aptitude tests that you could be asked to complete, and the combination depends on the type of role you have applied for.
American Express Situational Judgement Test
In a situational judgement test, you are being assessed on the way you deal with problems in the workplace. You will be provided with a number of workplace scenarios, with several possible responses. These are fictional, but based on realistic experiences that you might face at work.
The scenarios will challenge you to decide on one of several possible courses of action, and the test will be timed so you cannot spend too long choosing. There is likely to be one or more answers that might seem to fit, so the best course of action is to ensure that you answer in the way that is most appropriate for you - bearing in mind the company values of Amex.
American Express Numerical Reasoning Test
As you will be working in the financial space if you are successful in your application, it is likely that you will be assessed on your numerical aptitude.
In anumerical reasoning test, it is not your mathematical ability that is being assessed; it is your ability to understand and analyse numerical data presented in graphs and tables. While calculations will need to be performed on this data, the answers presented are usually multiple choice and are based on GCSE-level mathematical theory and operations.
Each question will be based on a table or a graph, and to be successful you will need to quickly read and understand the data, and then perform any necessary calculations. These might be simple operations like multiplication or subtraction, but they might also involve ratios, percentages and fractions.
American Express Logical Reasoning Test
In the logical reasoning test, you are likely to be presented with a series of shapes, numbers, or pictures that follow a pattern. In most cases, you will be tasked to find the missing item in the sequence from a number of potential answers.
The images in the sequence will follow a logical pattern, which might include movement, size, colour, or any number of other differences. The timed test means that you will have to find the pattern and decide on the missing part of the sequence fast, using inference skills.
American Express Coding Skills Assessment
If you are applying for a technology position, such as an engineering internship or graduate programme - or the Technology Apprentice role - then you will be asked to undertake a short coding skills assessment.
The coding skills test is based on simple programming learning, to see how much knowledge you have in software, technology, and engineering.
American Express Virtual Video Interview
There are two types of video interview that you might be invited to, depending on the programme you have applied for.
American Express Pre-Recorded Video Interview
If you have applied for an undergraduate internship or as part of the graduate programme, then you will be required to answer a number of questions with pre-recorded video responses. The questions that are asked will be related to the job area applied for.
American Express Live Video Interview
If you have applied for an MBA Internship, then you will be asked to complete one or two consecutive 45-60 minute interviews with the American Express recruitment team. This should be considered an opportunity to demonstrate creativity and your skill set. Some of these interviews might be hosted by a panel of senior Amex staff.
American Express Virtual Assessment Centre
For graduate and internship opportunities, the final stage of the application process is a virtual assessment centre.
Along with other applicants, you will be invited to attend a series of activities hosted virtually. These include some competency-based interviews, where you will be asked to provide descriptions of scenarios and actions that you have taken to demonstrate your ability in that area.
There will also be a number of case studies that should be tackled through group work and presentations, and through these exercises you will be assessed by the recruitment team on your teamwork and communication, as well as your individual skills like analysis.