Everything to prepare for a Barclays interview: why the firm, and the questions candidates there reported being asked.
From the inside
Reasons that work in interviews
4 reasons for Barclays
Anchor the answer to the Toronto or Calgary office rather than the global brand. “Why Goldman” answered with global league tables is the single most common failure in this category.
A Toronto bulge bracket covering many verticals rather than a single-sector satellite.
The office owns its deals rather than supporting another geography.
Long history in Toronto combined with a stated commitment to growth, which is a different proposition from a global bank that has been quietly shrinking here.
Strong credit and leveraged finance heritage, so financing-led mandates are real rather than referred away.
Firm-specific questions
Why Barclays over Goldman Sachs or J.P. Morgan?
Anchor your answer in what sets it apart: highest-ranked non-us bank in global ib fees (#6, dealogic, 2024); canadian dealer and bank branch, with toronto and calgary offices.
Walk me through a recent deal Barclays worked on.
For example The Boots Group (financial advisor to wittington, Oct 7, 2026). Cover the rationale, valuation and what the firm did.
5 more Barclays-specific questions, each with what to cover and the sources behind it.
Unlock the full insights for Barclays: every round, the topics tested and what candidates experienced
Interview prep
Have an upcoming interview with Barclays?
How each round tends to run, what it keeps testing and where candidates lose it, from people who have sat it. Leave your name and we’ll reach out.
