Barclays Data Analyst candidates report an SQL-heavy screen, often with Python or basic DSA, followed by behavioral, manager and HR conversations. The format varies by team and entry route.
$108K
Avg. Base Comp
$125K
Avg. Total Comp
2-5 rounds
Typical Rounds
Not reported
Process Length
Candidates who interviewed for Data Analyst roles at Barclays describe SQL as the technical core, with behavioral questions carrying real weight. One reports an online assessment with five SQL questions on joins, aggregates and WHERE versus HAVING, followed by an HR interview. Another reports an in-person pen-and-paper screen at roughly LeetCode-medium difficulty, with a strings question and a sorting variant. A later round for that candidate included two Python and three SQL questions.
The format varies. One candidate describes five rounds, including SQL, DBMS, a graph lowest-cost-path problem, a live scenario about ticket prioritization under urgent client demands, a manager round and a final HR discussion. AML and KYC reportedly came up in that process. Another reports a campus process with two in-person rounds: SQL and Python plus a situational SQL question, then behavioral questions on saying no to a colleague and resolving conflict. A third describes a HackerRank test at easy-to-medium difficulty and an assessment centre where both interviews returned to large datasets, data reliability and privacy. It ended with a hard system design question, and that candidate still received an offer.
Outcomes in these reports were mixed: three candidates received or accepted offers, while two reported no offer or a rejection. Prepare SQL joins, aggregation and clause choice, basic Python, and two or three detailed stories about data quality, pressure and teamwork. Be ready to talk through the resume projects you list. Some candidates also mention slow or uneven recruiter communication, so plan for waiting between stages.
Synthesized from 20 candidate reports by our editorial team.
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Real interview reports from people who went through the Barclays process.
I went through five rounds total, which felt pretty comprehensive for a Data Analyst role at Barclays. The first round was HR-focused, covering my background and why I was interested in the position. It was straightforward behavioral stuff — they wanted to understand my career trajectory and what drew me to Barclays specifically.
The second round was where things got technical. I faced a mix of SQL questions, some DBMS concepts, and a couple of DSA problems. The SQL section was the heaviest lift — about five questions ranging from basic queries to more complex scenarios. There was also an OOP question and a graph problem asking for the lowest-cost path from point A to point B. A few AI-related MCQs rounded it out. This round tested whether I could actually write queries and think through algorithmic problems under pressure.
Round three involved working with the technical team on live questions. They gave me real-world scenarios — one was about managing ticket priority in a service-first environment and how I'd handle urgent client issues when resolutions were needed fast. This felt less like a traditional coding interview and more like a case study where they wanted to see my problem-solving approach and communication.
The manager round came next. We discussed my previous role, my ability to handle stress, and whether I was willing to put in extra time when needed. It was less about technical depth and more about fit and resilience.
The final HR discussion wrapped things up. Throughout the process, they were clearly interested in compliance-related experience — AML and KYC came up explicitly. In the closing conversation, they wanted reassurance that I'd be a long-term hire and tested my ability to communicate how I'd navigated complex situations in past roles. I got the offer, so it seems like demonstrating domain knowledge in compliance combined with solid technical fundamentals and genuine interest in staying made the difference.
Prep tip from this candidate
SQL is non-negotiable — drill five or more realistic queries before interviewing, especially scenarios involving ticket prioritization and service-level constraints. Be ready to discuss AML/KYC or similar compliance frameworks if they're relevant to the role, and prepare concrete examples of how you've navigated urgent, high-pressure client situations with clear communication.
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Topics based on recent interview experiences.
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Synthesized from candidate reports. Individual experiences may vary.
Candidates report different entry points. One describes a CGPA-based screen, another an online assessment with five SQL questions plus multiple-choice, and another a HackerRank test with easy-to-medium LeetCode-style problems. Expect SQL fundamentals such as joins, aggregates and WHERE versus HAVING, and possibly basic DSA under time pressure.
A technical interview typically follows, and candidates report SQL as the main focus. One reports two Python and three SQL questions from two interviewers. Another reports SQL, DBMS, OOP and a graph problem. A third reports SQL, basic Python, a situational SQL question and a brief mention of Power BI. Be ready to explain your approach, not just write queries.
Some candidates describe a more applied stage. One was given a ticket-prioritization scenario involving urgent client issues. Another had an in-person assessment centre with two interviews about large datasets, data reliability and privacy, ending in a system design question. This stage may not appear in every process, so prepare concrete data-quality stories.
Candidates report manager-level rounds that lean behavioral: tell-me-about-a-time questions, production issues, stress, teamwork, conflict resolution and fast-paced work. In one report a hiring manager and director also asked a few basic SQL function questions. Prepare structured stories with clear outcomes.
Several candidates mention an HR conversation, either early or at the end. Topics reported include background, motivation for Barclays, availability, compensation and long-term commitment. Timing between stages may be slow, and some candidates describe communication delays.
