Hey all, I’m preparing for Barclays’ sales and trading interview process and I’m confident in my market knowledge and basic technicals, but I’m curious how much time they spend on personality and team fit questions. Are they looking for a very specific type of personality for trading desks?
Hi! From what I’ve seen and heard, Barclays S&T interviews definitely include a fair amount of fit questions alongside the market and technical topics. They want to see if you can handle pressure, communicate clearly, and work well on a fast‑paced desk.
There isn’t one “perfect” personality, but they do look for people who are collaborative, resilient, and curious, someone who fits the culture of the desk while bringing their own perspective.
It’s worth preparing examples that show how you’ve worked in teams, handled challenges, or adapted quickly. That kind of evidence goes a long way.
Also, PrepLounge has a helpful article on personal-fit interviews, definitely worth a read before your interviews.
🔗 Finance Interview Basics: Personal Fit Interview
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Rita
Yes, fit matters a lot in S&T, especially at Barclays. Beyond market knowledge, they’re assessing how well you’d handle pressure, communicate quickly, and work in a team-oriented but fast-paced environment. Expect questions like: "Tell me about a time you made a quick decision under pressure", "How do you handle failure or risk?" or "Why sales/trading over other finance roles?".
Each desk has its own vibe, but in general, they look for people who are sharp, calm under stress, and good communicators, not just loud or aggressive. Be authentic, but show you can thrive in a fast-moving environment.
Hey There!
For Barclays S&T, fit and personality questions carry a lot of weight because they want to see how well you would adapt to the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a trading floor.
While strong market knowledge is important, desks often prioritize candidates who show composure under stress, quick thinking, and the ability to communicate clearly. They are also looking for people who can work well in a team since decisions and risk management often involve constant collaboration.
You can expect questions around why you are interested in markets versus banking, how you handle pressure, examples of making quick decisions, or times you adapted to new information quickly.
They may also test whether you have the personality suited for a trading desk: curious, resilient, and willing to voice your views while respecting others. The best approach is to prepare stories from your experience that show these traits, as this helps interviewers picture you thriving in their environment.
