How to apply to Barclays Capital

Graduate and Internships Programmes

Recruitment for our 2012 graduate and internship programmes began on 1 August 2011. We recruit on a rolling basis, so it's best to apply as early as possible.

All applications must be submitted online. This allows us to keep track of each one. You’ll be asked to fill in a short application form, upload a one-page CV, and successfully complete numerical and verbal reasoning tests.

Most of our graduate and internship opportunities are in London, but we do recruit into other European offices including Amsterdam, Birmingham, Dubai, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Prague, Riyadh, Tel Aviv and Zurich.

What we look for

Our application process isn't intended to catch you out. In fact, the opposite is true.  If completed in the correct manner, the steps along the way will help us to know you as an individual and help you to gain a thorough understanding of our working environment.  Use every opportunity to make yourself stand out.  Putting in the extra effort over your application will ensure that you are thoroughly prepared and researched for the interview or assessment process. Your aim is to stand out from the crowd and this is an easy way to do it.

The guide below aims to help and support you through our application process. We hope you find it useful.

The process you will go through will depend on the business area and location that you are applying to as we adapt our processes to suit businesses and the level of hire.

1. The Initial Application

What makes you stand out?

This is a question you should be asking yourself throughout your initial application.  Don’t just think about your academic achievements – we want to know about the person behind them.  Selection isn’t solely based on academic background; do not underestimate the value of extra-curricular activities in distinguishing yourself from the crowd.

• What makes you different from your peers?
• What do you do apart from studying?
• All experience is relevant; it does not have to be investment banking-related.

Research

Spending time researching Barclays Capital will not only benefit you in the application process but will help prepare you for the interview stage.  A well-researched application is more evident than you might think and will encourage us to spend more time reviewing it.

• Check and re-check your application for typos and grammar
• Resist the temptation to copy and paste directly from newspapers and our website – adapt and justify why this information is relevant or of interest to you
• Be selective on the research you include and ensure it is in depth and up to date

Qualify your statements

"I'm a hard-working, self-motivated team player with a real interest in investment banking". Maybe, but you need to substantiate this.  Which teams have you participated in?  What have you done to demonstrate you are hard-working?  Think about the competencies we might look for in a specific role.  How can you demonstrate these attributes through your own life achievements?  Ensure each of your experiences tells us something useful and avoid uncorroborated phrases about you or your personality.

• Avoid clichés
• You have limited space – ensure you give focus and relevant examples based on your experience
• Think of illustrations where you have shown good judgment, innovation, teamwork, commitment and pro-activity.

Testing

For Analyst and Quantitative Associate applications, depending on the business area that you are applying to, you are required to complete online testing in order to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.  You may then be re-tested at an assessment centre.  Again, putting some time aside to practise and prepare will increase your understanding of the testing process, helping you to succeed.

Practice tests are available online. (www.shl.com and www.efinancialcareers.co.uk provide some and your university careers service may be able to give you access to others – or simply use an internet search engine which will bring up a range of options.)  This testing is similar to the GMAT style of testing and practice books are available in most bookshops or through careers services.

Testing is available in the majority of languages and you should take the test in the one in which you feel most comfortable.

• Ensure you are somewhere quiet and not going to be interrupted for the duration of the test – the test cannot be re-started
• Speed and accuracy are both as important in order to produce the optimal results of the test.
• Ensure that if you experience any technical issues with the test that you contact the technical support team and speak with a member of the campus recruitment team as soon as possible, and that you take both tests within the given timeframe.

2. Telephone Interviews / Interviews

If you do well in the testing stage, and your CV and application form impress us, the next step is usually a telephone interview.  This is a quick and easy way for both parties to bring an application ‘alive’ at an early stage in the process.  Through this process, we are hoping to turn your two-dimensional application into a three-dimensional one.  We want to ascertain your motivations, whether you have applied to the right area and whether you are prepared and have researched the industry and Barclays Capital.

Can I use prompts?

By all means prepare some prompt cards with examples you wish to bring up in conversation.  However, do not read information aloud from a ‘script’.  This sounds very unnatural, does not allow the interviewer to engage properly with you and does nothing to reassure them that you understand what you are saying.

What am I saying?

Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or for questions to be repeated should you require it.  Don't be tempted to provide the interviewer with information you want to give rather than answering the question.  There will be a chance to add further details and answer questions at the end.

• Are you certain that the recruiter has the correct telephone number on which to contact you?
• You should be in a quiet room with no background noise ahead of the call
• If you have asked the interviewer to contact you via a mobile phone, make sure you have reception and that the battery is fully charged
• Check that you know what time your interview will be taking place – if you are overseas and have applied to work in the UK, your interview will be UK time!

Be yourself

If you're invited to an interview, it will be because we like what we've seen so far. Now it's your chance to really show us you've got what it takes to be successful at Barclays Capital. Don’t pretend to be someone else; the process is designed to ensure you find the role that suits you, pretending to be someone else will hinder this process. Do your research and be prepared to answer our questions, but come with your own as well.  It is important you use the opportunity to find out about us and our culture.

What will I be asked?  How should I answer?

Your application/CV will provide a good basis for the interviewer, so ensure you have reviewed its content ahead of the interview. As well as finding out why you have applied and what you know about us, we also gauge whether your skills match the position you are applying to, so think about your strengths and about a variety of examples from different parts of your life that illustrate why you would be perfect for your role.

Prepare examples you want to use ahead of the interview but only use them if they are relevant.  Don’t be afraid to pause and gather your thoughts ahead of answering questions in order to remain focused.  Avoid rambling in your answers, especially if you don’t know the answer.  Integrity is important, so if you do not know something, don’t be afraid to say so before attempting to think your way through what the answer might be.  We hope that you will learn and benefit from the interview process whatever the result, so ask for explanations when you need them.

• Spend time preparing, using reading lists, newspapers, financial magazines and websites
• Prepare intelligent questions and remain attentive throughout the interview

3. Assessment Centres

An assessment centre is usually the final stage of the selection process. One of the main reasons we use assessment centres is to see how you interact with other people. We're looking for candidates who are going to work well with their colleagues.  Whilst we want people with opinions, we're not interested in candidates who promote themselves to the detriment of the team.  We want to be impressed but we don’t want to be pressurised.  We’re looking for the ability to react quickly to new situations, to persuade without arguing, to negotiate and be flexible.  If you’re an outstanding candidate, you’ll stand out naturally, so be genuine.  You can expect a variety of exercises at the assessment centre tailored to the area for which you have applied – group exercises, role plays, games, interviews and case studies are some components you may come across.

Assessment centres will provide you with an opportunity to meet with a number of representatives from Barclays Capital and give you the chance to meet peers from around the world.  You will learn a lot from the experience, about the industry, us and yourself – we will provide you with feedback on your performance throughout the day, whatever the outcome.  Remember, we want you to do well and have invited you to this stage because we believe you can.

• Be confident in your abilities, but not overbearing
• Come prepared to interact with both your peers and Barclays Capital representatives in many ways
• Listen carefully to instructions and guidance given but don’t be afraid to ask when you are unsure
• Remember the basics: punctuality, business attire, switching mobile phones off