I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Barclays (New York, NY) in Jul 2009
Interview
For 3 to 4 weeks the recruiter kept calling me to setup this interview. I have been out of work so I was very available but the recruiter could not seem to get a time from the hiring manager. I finally got a date with a day to prepare. The recruiter made a big deal out of my preparation asking me technical questions she did not even understand. One question was on access lists and I told here I needed to know if the statement was "permit" or "deny" to answer the question. She when off on how I should reply to questions I could not answer. I could not believe it as I have known access lists for 10 years! I know how they work. Anyway, I was given two contacts and arrived 15 minutes early. One of the contacts, the hiring manager could not be reached by the security desk. The second contact, one of the crew allowed me up. He was not at all prepared and did not even have an office or conference room ready. After finding an open room, we talked about the position for about 20 minutes. I was driving the whole interview as this tech didn't know what to ask me and focused on all of the bad points of the position. After 20 minutes this tech leaves to get the hiring manager and never comes back. I was waiting and waiting. I tried to look up his number on the Cisco phone in the room but it did not have a company directory. At this point it was two hours after the scheduled interview time. I called the recruiter and walked out the door. I know things come up but this was ridiculous. You could have called the recruiter to reschedule or maybe send somebody up to let me know what is going on. This guy could care less about me at the very first meeting attempt. I would never, ever work for this manager and feel very sorry for the sucker that takes this position.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Barclays in Nov 2007
Interview
I got the interview through employee referral. General 1:1 interviews with the hiring manager, the direct report manager, director, and then a few of the team members. The hiring manager in HR took the lead with all communication and was prompt and courteous throughout the process. The company is extremely business-oriented and you have to come off in that manner. The culture is more laid back but definitely got the impression that you had to work really hard in order to play hard.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
basic questions about background, goals, why wanted to work for BGI. Nothing unexpected or surprising. I believe there was also questions regarding how you would handle "x" situation or "y" coworker.
The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Barclays (London, England) in Jun 2007
Interview
Initial interview was relaxed, over coffee, followed by thorough skills-based interview by two senior executives (consecutively, not together). Feedback after the process was good and in retrospect the feedback I have received throughout my employment (starting with interview) has always been the most thorough and accurate I have received in 15 years working (although this may have been driven by the personalities involved as much as Barclays frameworks).
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
In doing [X - a specific subject], what mistakes have you made or could you do better?