Investment Bank Off-cycle analyst

After you have applied online and completed an online test which consists of SHL Numerical and SJT and another personality test, you will be reviewed. Once you have been reviewed you will be invited to an telephone interview. You should contact the HR to get more information on the type of interview they give you. It is a strength based interview and it is quite hard to prepare for so you have to be confident in your moral, attention to detail, quick learner, motivational abilities. The interview process will last 30 minutes - !MAKE SURE YOU GET THE QUICKEST INTERVIEW POSSIBLE. I left my interview so late that the position had been taken up before the last assessment center which I would have been invited to.

As for the telephone interview, they wil begin with asking what do you understand of Barclays strategy. Do not make the same mistake I did, no one helped me and while I had prepared an amazing reason why I want to work at Barclays - I was thrown off by the first question. Ouch...

Any how, you must relate to their strategy and values. Then have a passage that says, " well I am very confident that I can exhibit these values because I shown [value 1] here and [value 2] here." Sorry I can't give precise business information regarding what I learnt because I don't want you to fall short if you regurgitate my info. Go out there and network, talk to the bankers. All of them are so helpful, the junior analysts will run you through everything you need to know.

If you fail at the first hurdle, your chances are over. Barclays are looking for people that understand their business and why it is different to DB and other banks. Hint: Retail + IBD, and their removal of the FICC Business.

They will then ask you questions about other things like "would your friends consider you trustworthy." Questions like this are so easy to say "Yes." and then not talk. But think about it, why has he asked me this question? he wants to know if i have integrity because I will be working with clients. So when you answer a question like this you can say yes and give an example. BUT always relate it back to the the companies values / scenarios that you will find your self in if you are working there.

I hope this helps you and good luck to all of you,

even though I have failed. I hope you lot use this and make your lifes better. I hope this changes atleast one persons life :)