Barclays Interview Questions & Answers

My initial application was via the internet, where I filled in an extensive application form, then was invited to undertake internet based assessments. These involved numerical tests, situational judgement tests, and psychometric tests. I was then invited for a face to face interview at the location of the job. The face to face interview lasted around an hour, I was asked questions about my previous experience, including typical interview questions ("when have you provided excellent customer service?"), etc. It was quite a relaxed interview, and afterwards I was shown around the premises.

Questions about my previous work experience which I have not been met with, such as situational aspects like dealing with difficult customers, which I rarely experience.

Revise typical interview questions, it is certainly worth Googling common interview questions and answers, as the questions are very general to your previous experience. The hardest part was the online assessments, particularly the numerical tests, which were not difficult, but the time limit makes them very difficult to answer. I'd also recommend reading around the role and the company.

Face to face interview.

The first stage was an application form followed by two online tests, firstly a verbal reasoning test, which if passed lead to a logical reasoning test. The second test was the harder of the two as the time limit was quite short for finding the patterns in the sequences of shapes. Once I had passed both of these I was then invited for a phone interview which lasted 25 minutes with a member of the recruitment team. We started with a conversation about my academic record, and then I was asked a series of competancy questions about why I would suit the role and what skills would allow me to do in the role. I was called 45 minutes later to invite me to an assessment centre 5 days later. This lasted 4 hours and was split into 3 tasks, individual, group and interview. In the individual task we were given 60'minutes to read some information and prepare a presentation, after which we were asked questions on. This was chalenging, but at the same time interesting as it gave me a very good impression of what the job would entail. After this, we had a group task in which we had to rank pieces of information in order of priority. This was interesting, and it paid dividends tomget to know each of the other candidates before the task. Thirdly, there was an interview one on one. This was 45 minutes long and was competancy based and then around 20 minutes to ask questions. After the day, I was called 2 hours later to be offered the role.

Why would you suit this role rather than the other candidates? This was difficult as I did not know the other condidates strenghts.

Research the company very well, as well as try to really heighten your commercial awareness. It may be difficult due to nerves, but as it is a long day, with intense scrutiny placed upon you, it is very advisible to try and eat either beforehand, or some of the refreshments that were provided. When you do the online tests, make sure you are in a quiet room with no distractions as any lapse in concentration will affect your scores considerably.

It was very well run, and owing to the company who it was for, was very professional. The other candidates had similar qualifications so it meant we had a lot to talk about as we had plenty in common. The first task was very daunting when I first started to prepqre for it, but once I had calmed my nerves, it was enjoyable.