Barclays is looking for talented Software Engineers at the BA4 level to join our dynamic technology teams. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining robust software solutions that drive our business forward. We are seeking individuals with a strong technical foundation, a passion for problem-solving, and a collaborative spirit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$85000 - US$120000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms. Practice coding problems.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary, BST, AVL), graphs, hash tables. Implement common algorithms like sorting (merge sort, quicksort), searching (binary search), graph traversal (BFS, DFS), and dynamic programming basics. Practice coding problems related to these topics.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: System Design & OOP. Study design patterns.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into System Design and Object-Oriented Programming. Understand principles of OOP (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction). Study common design patterns (e.g., Singleton, Factory, Observer). Learn about system design concepts like scalability, availability, load balancing, caching, and database design. Review common system design interview questions.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Behavioral Questions. Use STAR method.
Week 5: Focus on Behavioral and Situational Questions. Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and handling challenges. Research Barclays' company values and culture to align your responses.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Mock Interviews & Review.
Week 6: Review and Mock Interviews. Consolidate your learning. Practice mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Refine your communication and problem-solving approaches. Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewers.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 03 locations
01 / 03Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
HR Screening · 45 min · HR/Recruiter
This initial round is typically conducted by an HR representative or a recruiter. The primary goal is to assess your overall fit with the company culture, your motivation for applying, and to gather basic information about your background and experience. They will also cover logistical aspects of the interview process and answer any initial questions you might have about Barclays or the role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your background.
Why are you interested in this Software Engineer role at Barclays?
What do you know about Barclays?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 60 min · Software Engineer/Technical Lead
This round focuses on your core technical skills. You will be presented with one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your ability to understand the problem, devise an efficient solution, implement it in code, and analyze its performance. Expect to write code in a shared editor and explain your thought process throughout.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, find two numbers such that they add up to a specific target number.
Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree (BST).
Find the kth smallest element in a given array.
Reverse a singly linked list.
Given a string, find the length of the longest substring without repeating characters.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer/Architect
This round assesses your ability to design complex software systems. You'll be given an open-ended problem, such as designing a specific service (e.g., a URL shortener, a social media feed, a rate limiter). The interviewer will evaluate your approach to requirements gathering, component design, data modeling, API design, and consideration of non-functional requirements like scalability, reliability, and performance.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
Design a system to count the top K trending items in real-time.
Design a notification service for a large-scale application.
Design an API rate limiter.
Design a distributed cache system.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial/Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager
This round is with the hiring manager, who will delve deeper into your experience, motivations, and how you would fit into the team. They will focus on behavioral questions, asking for specific examples from your past to understand your work style, problem-solving approach, and how you handle various workplace scenarios. This is also an opportunity for you to ask more in-depth questions about the team's projects and dynamics.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a colleague and how you resolved it.
Describe a project where you had to work under pressure or with a tight deadline.
How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple tasks?
What motivates you in a work environment?
Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Barclays loops
Other guides
