Barclays Interview Process: Rounds, Timeline & Compensation
Michael King, PE Investment Manager ·
Barclays runs 2-3 rounds: online verbal, numerical and personality tests followed by a HireVue-style video assessment built around Barclays' 'Critical Skills' competency framework, then a Superday of back-to-back ~30-minute interviews (roughly 9am-2pm) with analysts, associates and at least one senior banker. In the UK, summer analyst and full-time applications open in the autumn and are assessed on a rolling basis, with Superdays running through the following months and decisions typically following within days. US summer recruiting for the New York office runs considerably earlier in the cycle. In London, first-year analyst base runs roughly £60k-£70k, with total comp around £90k-£110k after bonus — broadly in line with, or slightly below, the other UK bulge brackets. The New York benchmark is meaningfully higher, with base around $110k-$125k and all-in total comp commonly $170k-$220k.
Interview rounds
2-3 rounds: online verbal, numerical and personality tests followed by a HireVue-style video assessment built around Barclays' 'Critical Skills' competency framework, then a Superday of back-to-back ~30-minute interviews (roughly 9am-2pm) with analysts, associates and at least one senior banker
Typical timeline
In the UK, summer analyst and full-time applications open in the autumn and are assessed on a rolling basis, with Superdays running through the following months and decisions typically following within days. US summer recruiting for the New York office runs considerably earlier in the cycle.
Compensation range
In London, first-year analyst base runs roughly £60k-£70k, with total comp around £90k-£110k after bonus — broadly in line with, or slightly below, the other UK bulge brackets. The New York benchmark is meaningfully higher, with base around $110k-$125k and all-in total comp commonly $170k-$220k.
Notes
As a UK-headquartered bank, Barclays is a natural target for London-based candidates, but its process weighs the 'Critical Skills' competency framework (analytical thinking, communication, collaboration) as heavily as technicals — prepare structured behavioural answers with the same rigour as the LBO and valuation drilling, since light technicals (capital structure, what makes a good LBO candidate) and brainteasers appear alongside them.
Frequently asked questions
How many interview rounds does Barclays run?
2-3 rounds: online verbal, numerical and personality tests followed by a HireVue-style video assessment built around Barclays' 'Critical Skills' competency framework, then a Superday of back-to-back ~30-minute interviews (roughly 9am-2pm) with analysts, associates and at least one senior banker
How long does the Barclays interview process take?
In the UK, summer analyst and full-time applications open in the autumn and are assessed on a rolling basis, with Superdays running through the following months and decisions typically following within days. US summer recruiting for the New York office runs considerably earlier in the cycle.
What does Barclays pay first-year hires?
In London, first-year analyst base runs roughly £60k-£70k, with total comp around £90k-£110k after bonus — broadly in line with, or slightly below, the other UK bulge brackets. The New York benchmark is meaningfully higher, with base around $110k-$125k and all-in total comp commonly $170k-$220k.