Applications Hints & Tips
Your online application
This is our first impression of you so try and make it count. Take your time and do your research before completing the application. Be honest and concise and proof-read your application before submitting it to us. Tell us your innovative ideas, what inspires you and why you’re passionate about working for Barclays.
What role do you want?
From beginning to end of the application process you’ll need to be clear about what you’re looking for and why. Even though you might not know exactly what you’d be doing day to day, do your research and work out why you think you fit the role – whether that’s down to your education, work experiences to date or personality.
Be commercial
Whatever department you want to work in, you need to be confidant about describing it and its role in the commercial world. The better prepared you are, the more facts you’ll have at your fingertips to use as part of the application/ assessment process. Use the Internet (our main site and Graduate site are your starting points) as well as leading financial publications (Economist, FT etc) to get the information you need.
During your interview
Express yourself clearly, sound positive and upbeat, and think about your body language. Be concise – aim to get to the point and make sure you’re answering the question you’ve been asked. The main thing is to relax, be honest and be yourself. We don’t want ‘practised answers‘– we want to hear about you.
Online numerical or verbal reasoning testing
Practise, practise, practise before the real thing – as much as you feel you need to. Find a quiet, comfortable place to actually do the test. The test is timed so work quickly and accurately. Do the test on your own – if you make it through to assessment you’ll take another version of the test so it’s not worth getting help at the online stage.
CV upload
Make sure your CV is concise and clear – just the one page that we’ve requested for the upload (this shows us how adaptable you are!). You’ll be able to add more detail about yourself at other stages in the assessment process.
Telephone interviews
Prepare and research (see ‘Be commercial’). Find somewhere quiet and make sure your phone is fully charged. Remind yourself why you want this role and to work in this company. Re-read your CV and think about the challenges you’ve faced to date.
Face-to-face interviews
Prepare and research (see ‘Be commercial’). Dress appropriately – first impressions count – and allow plenty of time to get to the interview. Decide what you want to ask the interviewer and what you want to get out of the meeting. Remind yourself why you want this role and to work for this company. Re-read your CV and think about the challenges you’ve faced to date. And be yourself.
What company do you want?
Even though you may well be applying to lots of different companies, you must be clear why you’ve chosen a particular industry or business area. If you’ve settled on Financial Services, think about why it appeals to you. Do your research and have good reasons why you’ve picked the companies you’ve applied to. If you’re not sure then find out more from us when we’re on campus.
Group exercises
Work with your team – these are not your competitors, they’re your colleagues. So guide them as necessary while making sure you listen to their points of view. Show us you can think commercially and have good product knowledge. Speak clearly so assessors can hear what you have to say.
Presentations
Lots of practice in advance will help you manage your nerves. Make sure you make eye contact and engage your audience. Know your topic so you can take questions at the end. And try to smile!
