Equity Research Associate

I got my interviews by cold-emailing, but also by referencing people at the firm that I know (in my emails, and on the phone). First phone interview was with the associate head of research who really did little more than ask for my story and why I wanted to work at Barclays. After mentioning the name of a particular research associate that I was acquainted with and that I knew worked under him, he opened up and essentially told me everything I needed to know in terms of how to interview with the department hiring manager. He then connected me with said hiring manager via a later email, who scheduled another phone interview. Besides asking my background, everything in her interview hinged on a single question: what do you think you'll be doing every day as an equity research associate. After I gave her a basic outline, she asked more on my background and determined that there were a few coverage groups that I could potentially fit-in with. Unfortunately, they weren't expecting any turn-over until beginning of next year, but I was told that she would inform me in the unexpected event that something opens up.