The interview process for the 2019 Barclays Spring Week internship programme:
I'll try to comprehensively cover the entire interview process to help people looking for this resource.
Introduction
The interview process had 2 parts, one of which I completed around November 2018, the other around February 2019 (I don't know if this time difference is normal or my own incompetency). The first interview process was all multiple choice with a few different exercises, mainly focused around the business and industry scenarios, I imagine vetting you on your choices; just be clever and give them what they want as far as I can remember it wasn't timed. The second part of the interview process is a separate assessment altogether that you receive if you pass the first one, this is the video interview where most of the questions are timed, that is the part I'll be discussing.
Procedure
I was sent an email notifying me that I had to use the link Barclays provided to complete a video interview within 5 working days; the short time limit they give is part of the vetting process. You are given a mixture of timed interview questions, a timed exercise in writing a professional email and untimed multiple choice questions. 12 questions in all, 5 of them video, 1 an email and the other 6 multiple choices.
When you click the link the you are given the option to either start the interview, or do practise questions, DO NOT START THE INTERVIEW, if you do you will not have a second chance - it's not just something you can wing. Do the practise questions, you can open the link and do them as many times as you want in the 5 working days you're given. Make sure you go to the Barclays website, spend a good few hours reading through what the Spring Week will entail, read about their 5 core principles, etc - take notes and don't forget to tell them relevant info about yourself.
The video interview is carried out by staring at a camera and answering questions, since there is not another person on the other end, it is very unnatural and hard, try to maintain your composure and stay calm. I've heard that picturing a loved one sitting behind the screen helps but I just focused on inserting as much industry knowledge (that I'd only researched over the previous few days) as I could while not flitting around like an idiot.
The questions they gave were all scenarios and I'm happy about that because it lets you put yourself in those situations and in hindsight I believe it made it easier to answer the questions. However they were nothing like the practise questions you're given. They don't specifically ask you about industry knowledge for example, it's your own job to show them you have an understanding and more importantly an interest in the industry; research FinTech, use keywords and examples, show that you understand the industry even if they don't specifically ask for that. Barclays is a technology company first, and a bank second, remember that, it will help.
