Formulaic and robotic answers to interview questions that will get you a job at Barclays Capital
We're fast approaching the time of year when banks tour universities trying to attract the attention of the youth. In preparation for this banks have been embellishing their graduate recruitment offerings. BarCap has gone for an iPhone App dispensing advice on how to answer inevitable interview questions such as:
- Why are you interested in joining an investment bank?
- Can you give a useful example of a time you've shown leadership?
Their app shows three candidates/actors answering these questions and allows you to rate their answers. This is followed by a video clip of a BarCap recruiter explaining which response he thought was best.
None of the candidates' answers are particularly awe inspiring. All are distinctly formulaic. But BarCap's favoured responses provide a helpful indication of what's required to answer a predictably uninventive interview question in a way that's going to make banks' HR people love you.
You can always download the app yourself, but here's our digested version. We haven't given the top answers verbatim, just the crucial components embedded within them which can be personalized for your own use as required.
QUESTION 1: WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING AN INVESTMENT BANK?
BARCAP'S TOP ANSWER:
- I want the chance to hone my analytical skills in such a dynamic environment
- I love working at pace and facing new challenges every day
- I've been to different presentations and careers fairs and talked to plenty of people who've mentioned the excitement of being a the centre of the action
- The last few years have shown how important banking is to the world economy. I'd love to be part of that.
OUR ADVICE:
Questions on why you want to work in banking/why you want a particular job must be answered with a reasoned combination of flattery, evidence of research and name dropping. Make it clear that you have researched the bank/job/role and you think it's incredibly interesting and dynamic. Appear to have spoken to a few people in the business who have clarified this for you.
QUESTION 2: CAN YOU GIVE A USEFUL EXAMPLE OF A TIME YOU'VE SHOWN LEADERSHIP?
BARCAP'S TOP ANSWER:
- I was captain of the university basketball team.
- When I joined the team wasn't very successful.
- I separated the team into two components: an A team comprised of the ambitious players and a B team who were more laid back. The A team immediately started winning trophies.
- Initially, people in the teams didn't like this, but I took the time to explain that we wanted to start competing on the national stage and this wasn't just a power trip for me.
OUR ADVICE:
If you're asked to talk about your leadership qualities in an interview, think of interesting and novel examples which show you've used your charisma to achieve a major shake-up which has brought tangible results - preferably nationally or internationally. Clarify that you took some time to explain that although you were leading, you were not doing so in an egotistical way, but in a fashion that was for the good of your minions.
