Barings Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Barings is a leading global financial services firm that focuses on meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of its clients through innovative asset management solutions.

As a Business Analyst at Barings, you will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between technology and investment operations. Your key responsibilities will include collaborating with various investment teams to identify opportunities for leveraging technology to improve processes and deliver innovative solutions. You will maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, ensuring that their needs are effectively translated into actionable technology requirements. A significant part of your role will involve data analysis and management, utilizing tools such as SQL to support decision-making processes and drive business performance.

To excel in this position, a solid understanding of the asset management industry is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You should possess the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and work collaboratively within a team-oriented environment. Additionally, familiarity with tools like Aladdin and eFront will be beneficial, as well as a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the key skills and experiences valued by Barings, allowing you to articulate your fit for the role confidently.

The interview process for a Business Analyst at Barings is designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the collaborative and dynamic environment of the firm. The process typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step is a phone interview, usually lasting around 25-30 minutes. This conversation is primarily conducted by a recruiter from the HR team. During this call, candidates can expect to discuss their past experiences, motivations for applying to Barings, and general behavioral questions. The recruiter will gauge the candidate's fit for the company culture and their alignment with Barings' values.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates may be invited to a technical interview. This round often involves a video call with a hiring manager or a senior business analyst. The focus here is on assessing the candidate's technical skills, particularly in areas such as SQL and data analysis. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with data management tools and methodologies, as well as their ability to translate business requirements into technical specifications.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next stage typically involves a behavioral interview, which may be conducted in person or via video conferencing. This round aims to evaluate the candidate's soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Interviewers will ask situational questions to understand how candidates have handled challenges in previous roles and how they collaborate with cross-functional teams.

4. Final Interview

The final interview is often a more in-depth discussion with multiple stakeholders, including team members and senior management. This round may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as case studies or scenario-based discussions. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their analytical thinking and how they would approach real-world business problems relevant to Barings' operations.

5. Reference Check

After successfully completing the interview rounds, candidates may undergo a reference check. This step involves contacting previous employers or colleagues to verify the candidate's work history, skills, and overall performance.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and collaborative experiences.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Barings places a strong emphasis on personal and professional integrity, communication skills, and collaboration. Familiarize yourself with the company's values and how they align with your own. Be prepared to discuss how your past experiences reflect these values, particularly in team settings. Demonstrating a genuine understanding of Barings' commitment to its associates and clients will resonate well with your interviewers.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Given that the initial phone interview is likely to focus on your past experiences, prepare for behavioral questions that explore your problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and adaptability. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight specific examples that showcase your skills and how they relate to the role of a Business Analyst.

Highlight Technical Proficiency

As a Business Analyst at Barings, you will need to demonstrate a solid understanding of technology and data management. Be ready to discuss your experience with platforms like Aladdin and eFront, as well as your proficiency in SQL. Prepare to explain how you have used these tools to drive innovative solutions in previous roles, and be specific about the outcomes of your efforts.

Build Relationships with Stakeholders

The role requires developing deep relationships across various investment teams. During your interview, emphasize your ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals, and express your enthusiasm for fostering these relationships at Barings.

Emphasize Analytical Skills

Analytical thinking is crucial for a Business Analyst. Be prepared to discuss how you approach data analysis and problem-solving. Highlight any experience you have with data visualization or reporting tools, and be ready to explain how you have used data to inform business decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

Show Your Adaptability

Barings operates in a fast-paced environment, so showcasing your ability to adapt to changing circumstances is essential. Share examples of how you have successfully navigated challenges or changes in previous roles. This will illustrate your resilience and readiness to thrive in a dynamic workplace.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of your interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how Barings measures success in the Business Analyst role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview at Barings. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at Barings. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, understanding of the asset management industry, and your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, problem-solving abilities, and how you can leverage technology to drive innovative solutions.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe a project where you successfully collaborated with multiple stakeholders?

This question assesses your teamwork and communication skills, which are crucial for a Business Analyst role.

How to Answer

Highlight your ability to engage with different teams, understand their needs, and facilitate collaboration to achieve a common goal.

Example

“In my previous role, I led a project that required input from the marketing, sales, and IT departments. I organized regular meetings to gather requirements, ensured everyone was aligned on objectives, and facilitated discussions to resolve conflicts. This collaborative approach resulted in a successful product launch that exceeded our sales targets.”

Technical Skills

2. How do you approach gathering and analyzing business requirements?

This question evaluates your analytical skills and your methodology for understanding business needs.

How to Answer

Discuss your process for gathering requirements, including stakeholder interviews, surveys, and documentation review, and how you analyze this information to derive actionable insights.

Example

“I typically start by conducting interviews with key stakeholders to understand their needs and pain points. I also review existing documentation and data to identify gaps. After gathering this information, I analyze it to create detailed user stories and acceptance criteria that guide the development process.”

3. What experience do you have with SQL, and how have you used it in your previous roles?

Given the emphasis on SQL in the job description, this question will assess your technical proficiency.

How to Answer

Provide specific examples of how you have used SQL to analyze data, troubleshoot issues, or support decision-making processes.

Example

“In my last position, I used SQL to extract and analyze data from our customer database to identify trends in user behavior. This analysis helped the marketing team tailor their campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement.”

Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills

4. Describe a time when you identified a significant issue in a project. How did you handle it?

This question aims to understand your problem-solving abilities and how you manage challenges.

How to Answer

Explain the situation, the steps you took to identify the issue, and the actions you implemented to resolve it.

Example

“During a project rollout, I noticed discrepancies in the data being reported. I conducted a thorough analysis and discovered that the data integration process was flawed. I collaborated with the IT team to rectify the issue, implemented additional checks, and ensured that the data was accurate moving forward.”

5. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use to manage your workload effectively.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I use a project management tool to track deadlines and dependencies, which helps me allocate my time effectively. Regular check-ins with stakeholders also ensure that I’m aligned with their priorities.”

Agile Methodologies

6. Can you explain your experience with Agile methodologies and how you have applied them in your work?

This question evaluates your familiarity with Agile practices, which are important for the role.

How to Answer

Share your experience with Agile frameworks, your role in Agile teams, and how you have facilitated Agile ceremonies.

Example

“I have worked in Agile environments for over three years, primarily as a Scrum Master. I facilitated daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives, ensuring that the team remained focused and productive. This approach helped us deliver features more rapidly and adapt to changing requirements.”

7. How do you ensure that the development team understands the business requirements?

This question assesses your communication skills and your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for translating business needs into technical requirements and ensuring clarity among team members.

Example

“I create detailed user stories with clear acceptance criteria and hold regular meetings with the development team to discuss these requirements. I also encourage open communication, allowing team members to ask questions and seek clarification as needed.”