I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Barclays (Singapore) in Dec 2010
Interview
Note that the interview I attended is part of the graduate program - might vary for line hires.
Interview process consisted of 3 main parts:
Phone interview (2 weeks after online application submission) - Usual HR questions; why do you want to work for investment banking, why Barclays, tell me about your resume, and stuff like that.
Excel Skills-based Test (approximately 1 week after phone interview) - Test of basic excel skills and some VBA; stuff like vlookup/arrays for excel and some simple stuff you can do with the macro recorder in VBA.
Assessment Centre (same week, after Excel Test) - Consisted of 1:1 competency based interview with line manager, prioritization exercise (give order of priorities on several selected tasks, explain and interact with the other people at the AC), and case study presentation (also 1:1).
Line manager called on same day in the evening, offer was in the mail the next business day. Relatively smooth process - Managers and staff seem relatively nice; HR was mostly prompt and responsive.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
(Case Study Interview) - Tell me what are the risks of following through a deal with XYZ company; given that we had approximately 100 pages of material and about an hour to present, it was hard(er) to give an answer while trying to remember all the numerical details.
Amazing, 5 rounds in German language.
Very smooth, quick back to back rounds, and results are quick
HR round, then a Technical round, Then a asseesment round where excel data had to be analysed, then a team fit round, then a director fit round, overall a standard process for any Bank
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Ability to learn, data precesion and taking responsibility
Simple behaviour, not much technical
5 rounds, include one hr call
The process is not quick, around 1-2 weeks / round, but it is pleasant and the people there are being nice
Initial phone screen (easy and conversational, culture based) followed by superday. Superday had mix of technical and cultural questions. Not super difficult. Nice people and not trying to trick you, big emphasis on culture.
