Financial Services · London, UK
Barclays Interview Questions & Process
Quick answer
Barclays interviews include online tests, a video interview and an assessment centre, varying by division (investment banking, technology, retail). Expect strengths- and competency-based questions, division-specific technicals, and a focus on Barclays' values and commercial awareness. Graduate routes are structured and competitive.
About Barclays
Barclays is a major British universal bank, hiring across investment banking, technology, operations and retail. Its process assesses technical capability, behavioural strengths and alignment with its values, with division-specific content.
What they assess
The Barclays interview process
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Application & tests | CV screen plus online aptitude and situational assessments. |
| Video interview | Recorded strengths- and competency-based questions. |
| Assessment centre | Interviews plus a case or group exercise with senior staff. |
| Offer | Decision and offer. |
Prepare by role
Get a role-specific guide for the most common positions at Barclays:
Barclays interview questions
- 1Why Barclays, and why this division?
- 2Walk me through a valuation (banking) / a technical problem (technology).
- 3Tell me about a time you delivered great service.
- 4Describe a time you worked in a team under pressure.
- 5What recent business or market story interests you?
- 6How do you embody Barclays' values?
How to prepare for a Barclays interview
- Map answers to Barclays' values.
- Prepare division-specific technicals.
- Bring genuine commercial awareness.
- Answer strengths questions authentically.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Generic motivation.
- Weak technicals for the division.
- Ignoring the values dimension.
- No commercial awareness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Barclays interview process?
Online tests, a recorded video interview and an assessment centre with interviews and a case or group exercise, varying by division.
What does Barclays assess?
Technical capability for your division, behavioural strengths, commercial awareness and alignment with Barclays' values.
How do I prepare for a Barclays assessment centre?
Practise division-specific technicals and group/case exercises, build commercial awareness, and prepare values-aligned strengths answers.
Preparing for a Barclays interview?
Upload your CV and paste the job description. CareerFast instantly builds your interview readiness score, a company briefing, predicted questions, tailored STAR answers, a mock interview and a downloadable PDF — free to start, no card needed.
Keep preparing
Barclays roles
Go deeper on this employer