The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Barclays in Jan 2011
Interview
I had a phone interview for a Capital Markets internship with Barclays Capital. The interview was very strange. It was all behavioral, but questions that I have never been asked before and caught me a little off guard (i.e. tell me about a time when you took a creative risk and what was the outcome?) Not sure how that relates to banking, but needless to say I was not prepared and did not get to the next round.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a creative risk you recently took and what was the outcome?
The interview process consisted of an online assessment followed by technical and HR interview rounds. The online assessment included aptitude, programming, and coding questions. The technical interview focused on data structures and algorithms, core computer science concepts, programming, and discussion of projects mentioned on the resume. The HR interview assessed communication skills, teamwork, motivation for joining Barclays, and overall cultural fit. The interviewers were professional and the process was well-structured.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Explain one of the projects mentioned on your resume in detail, including your role, the technologies used, the challenges you faced, and how you solved them
The interview experience was professional and engaging, with a structured yet conversational flow. It felt slightly intense at times, but also thought-provoking and insightful. The questions challenged me to think clearly and communicate my ideas confidently. Overall, it was a valuable and motivating experience that pushed me outside my comfort zone while helping me reflect on my strengths and areas for growth.
The first round in the process is a 15 minute telephone interview with an associate. After that usually an in-office assessment center would take place with many other interview rounds ranging from analyst to partner.