Barclays Interview Questions

Congratulations on getting a Barclays Interview.

We can all agree interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

However, with a small amount of preparation, you can ace the Barclays job interview.

Here we will discuss how to successfully answer Barclays Interview Questions.

Please note these are practice interview questions and we are not affiliated with the company mentioned in this post.

Barclays Interview Questions and Answers

1. Can you tell us about yourself?

• It’s okay to discuss your hobbies and interests; but, keep it brief. Try to focus on relevant work experience. Remember that having relevant work experience will put you ahead of the competition.

2. Why do you want to work at Barclays?

• Express your enthusiasm for joining Barclays Bank due to its prestigious reputation, global reach, and commitment to innovation. Highlight your excitement about contributing your skills to a dynamic team and furthering your professional growth within this leading financial institution.
• Say that you are impressed with Barclays’ commitment to the environment, more specifically, Barclays’ zero emissions strategy, where the bank is committed to having its buildings achieve zero emissions by 2050.

3. What is your greatest strength?

This question is an invitation to explain why you are the best-qualified candidate for this job!

The answer should be broken down into three parts

1. The Strength – state the strength
2. Proof of the strength – an example of how you have used this strength.
3. The strength’s relevance to THIS job.

4. What is your greatest weakness?

Company Information

5. What can you tell us about Barclays?

• Barclays is a British multinational universal bank, headquartered in London, England. Barclays operates as two divisions, Barclays UK and Barclays International.
• Barclays UK comprises the British retail banking operations, consumer credit card business, wealth management business, and corporate banking for small, medium and large-sized businesses in the UK.
• Barclays International consists of Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank (formerly known as Barclays Capital) and the Consumer, Cards & Payments business. 
• The headquarters are in London, England.
• On June 27th, 1967 Barclays launched the world’s first cash machine.
• Barclays introduced the connect card in June 1987. It was the first debit card in the United Kingdom.
• Barclays is traded on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

6. Who are Barclays competitors?

Below are the 10 main Barclays Bank competitors

• ABN AMRO, Credit Suisse, RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland), Goldman Sachs Group, JP Morgan and Chase, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, and UBS.

7. What are Barclays Values?

• Respect – We respect and value those we work with and the contribution that they make.
• Integrity – We act fairly, ethically, and openly in all we do.
• Service – We put our clients and customers at the centre of what we do.
• Excellence – We use our energy, skills, and resources to deliver the best, sustainable results.
• Stewardship – We are passionate about leaving things better than when we found them.

Additional Interview Questions

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

• Have a look at other Barclays jobs online and find a position you can see yourself doing in 5 years.  This way you will sound like a good fit for the banking industry and Barclays.

9. Why did you leave your last job?

Interviewers ask this question for the following reasons.

• Did you leave for a good reason?
• Did you leave voluntarily?
• Did you leave on good terms?
• What are your work values?

Here is a sample response

“I enjoyed my last job at Company XYZ, however, I felt growth was minimal and I was no longer learning. I want to explore new challenges”.

10. Why is there a gap in your resume?

• The best approach when answering this question is to be honest because being truthful about your situation gives the employer a sense of your integrity and confidence.

11. What motivates you?

Questions to ask at the end of the interview

12. Do you have any questions for us?

The best questions to ask come naturally from the conversation with the interviewer.  However, here are a few prepared questions to ask

• What do you like best about working here?
• How do you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
• What about this position is the most important?
• How do you measure my success, and what could I do to meet your expectations?
• Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do to get up to speed quickly?
• What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?

How do I prepare for a Barclays Interview?

Here are some steps you can take to help you prepare for your Barclays Interview effectively:

1. Research Barclays: Understand Barclays’ history, values, mission, products, services, and recent news. Familiarize yourself with the company’s culture and the specific division or role you’re interviewing for.
2. Review the Job Description: Study the job description to understand the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required for the role. Be prepared to discuss how your background and experiences align with the role’s requirements.
3. Practice Common Interview Questions: Prepare responses to common interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work at Barclays?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers when discussing your achievements and experiences.
4. Behavioural Questions: Many interviews include behavioral questions that assess your past actions and behaviors. Prepare examples of situations where you demonstrated skills like teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.
5. Research Industry Trends: Stay up-to-date with trends and developments in the industry, as well as any recent changes or challenges Barclays might be facing. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge about the field.
6. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your interest in the company and the role. Ask about the team dynamics, potential projects, training opportunities, and the company’s growth plans.

Barclays Interview Tips

• Arrive 10 minutes early
• Turn off your smartphone.
• Learn as much as you can about the company.
• Don’t speak too fast as you will sound nervous.
• Don’t speak too slowly as you will sound boring.
• Make eye contact during the entire interview.

Barclays Online Interview

• If you have an interview online don’t panic. Study the questions above and you will do fine.
• Tip! Find a quiet room with no distractions.

See Also

• Barclays Business Analyst Interview Questions