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Apprenticeship
Assessment Day
A practical guide on
how to prepare
Hello
We’d like to start by saying congratulations on making it through to the final stage of the
Higher Apprentice selection process, your Barclays Assessment Centre. Not everyone gets this
far, so well done. The people we’re looking for aren’t your average Joe, and you’ve definitely
proved that so far.
Your next step is the assessment centre, which is our “This was the final stage so I remember
chance to meet you face-to-face. More importantly,
it’s your chance to show us what you can really do.
putting a lot of pressure on myself before
the assessment. But, when I arrived I
You should have already received confirmation about
the date, time and location of your assessment. That remember everyone putting me at my
said, if you have any questions about this or anything ease - everyone was really friendly. I went
else about the day, please do get in touch:
to the assessment centre feeling nervous
barclaysha@capp.co
but I left feeling confident knowing this
07720 826 510
was an organisation I wanted to work for.”
Nothing about this day is here to catch you out.
We want you to do well. That’s why we put this
Baljit, Higher Apprentice
document together. It’s here to let you know what to
expect, how to prepare, and how to shine on the day.
When you’ve got the details about the assessment date and the venue, it’s important to start thinking about:
• W
hat to wear. This day is a formal interview, • W
hat questions do you want to ask. One of the questions to be too traditional. Our apprenticeship
so come looking smart. best ways to get the most out of the day is to ask interviews are more about quick fire questions to get
a lot of questions. Make a list of the things you to know you, and to see how you feel about different
• W
hat ID to bring. We’ll need you to bring two
want to know, and bring it with you. That includes kinds of tasks and activities. Again, we’ll talk more
pieces of ID with you. One, proof of your legal right
any questions you might have for our current about this later.
to work in the UK and the second, proof of your
apprenticeship intake, since you’ll have the chance
residency. We won’t be able to interview you if you • S
howing us the real you. This assessment centre is a
to talk to them during the day.
don’t have the right ID. So please make sure you chance to get to know more about the company and
bring both with you on the day You’ll find a list of • W
hat you’re good at. We’ll talk about this more the role. If you enjoy the experience, then chances are
acceptable documents on the following pages. later, but for now, have a think about the things that you’ll also enjoy our programme. At the same time, if
motivate you, whatever they might be. you relax and show us what motivates you, it helps us
• H
ow to get there. Plan your route, and practice it if
to work out where you’d be best suited.
you can. And give yourself plenty of time, because • B
eing ready for a range of questions. Whether or
it’s better to be early than late. not you’ve had an interview before, don’t expect our
If you’ve never had an interview before, or if it’s been a little while and you want to refresh your skills, then don’t
worry. When you’re finished looking at this document, you can also take a look at our dedicated career tips and
advice service, LifeSkills, where we’ll help you get interview-ready:
https://www.barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-to-prepare-for-an-interview
Valid UK Passport
Long form UK birth certificate + NI card or P45 or P60 (or UK birth certificate + letter from a
UK nationals resident in the UK (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man) government agency containing the individuals’ National Insurance Number)
Full UK adoption certificate + NI card or P45 or P60 (or UK birth certificate + letter from a government
agency containing the individuals’ National Insurance Number)
Long form UK birth certificate + NI card or P45 or P60 (or UK birth certificate + letter from a
UK nationals not resident in the UK
government agency containing the individuals’ National Insurance Number)
Valid passport
EEA nationals and Switzerland
ID card
Rest of the world citzens (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy,
Valid passport + valid visa
Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)
Documents we can accept Document requirements in the UK Document requirements overseas (except India)
System-generated statement no older than three months from the date the System generated statement no older than three months
UK bank or building society
document is provided. Copies of statements downloaded from the internet are from the date the document is provided. Copies of
statement
not acceptable. statements downloaded from the internet are not acceptable.
Utility bill - e.g. gas, electricity, System generated statement no older than three months
No older than three months from the date the document is provided.
cable TV or landline telephone from the date the document is provided. Copies of
Mobile phone bills are not acceptable.
supplier statements downloaded from the internet are not acceptable.
Bill local authority, exemption certificate, payment book. Letter from local authority in relation to tax.
Council tax
Must be for council’s current financial year. Must be for the councils’ current financial year.
Letters must be no older then three months from the date the document is provided
and must quote your name, address and either tax reference or NI number. Letters from Inland Revenue (state/district tax authorities)
Inland revenue letters
Inland Revenue tax demands or PAYE tax notifications must relate to the Inland equivalent.
Revenue’s current or previous tax years.
Letter must be no older than three months from the date the document is provided
Letter from landline service and must state provision of services and quote a telephone number or reference
Not acceptable.
provider number. General circulation or sales letters are not acceptable. Letters for provision of a
mobile service are not acceptable.
Letter from local council Must confirm that you are now on the voters roll. We cannot accept documents
Not acceptable.
re voters roll older than three months from the date the document is provided.
Letter from local authority Letter must be on the local authority’s headed paper - should not be older than
confirming entitlement to three months from the date the document is provided. If the letter is over three Not acceptable.
housing benefits months old, additional confirmation that benefit is still being paid will be requested.
Council or housing association This must be the current agreement. Must be Council or Housing Association.
Not acceptable.
tenancy agreement Private agreements are not acceptable.
Police issued shot gun licence This must be your current licence. Not acceptable.
TV licence renewal No older than 12 months from the date the document is provided. Not acceptable.
’’
strengths and weaknesses.
Sam, Internal Audit Higher Apprentice
You’re dressed smart, you’ve got everything you need, so now that you’ve made it as
far as the day itself, it’s time to let you know about what’s going to happen.
The first thing you need to know is – just like this isn’t your average apprenticeship,
it won’t be your average assessment day either. We’ll talk a lot in this document about
strengths-based assessment. So what do we mean by that?
Well, simply put, we’re trying to see what you’re good On the following page we’ve listed the strengths we
at. It doesn’t have to be anything banking-related or look for. Have a think about how your family life, your
career-related either, and it doesn’t even have to be hobbies, and your experiences might help you
something you have a huge amount of experience in demonstrate these qualities, and how naturally they
– we just want to know what you’re like at your best, come to you. After all, anyone from any background
at your most passionate. When it comes down to it, can have them. It might be that you show us you’re a
we’re looking for the things your friends and family capable learner because you’re excited about learning
think are great about you. a new sport – even if you’ve only done it once so far.
Or maybe you’re a determined worker because you
juggle a part-time job with looking after your children.
Whatever it is, they’re your strengths and passions –
we just want to see them.
? Determined worker
+ What are we +
Efficient planner looking
What are we+looking
Clear for?
communicator What for?
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+ Determined
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+ Efficient
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+ Clear
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+ Relationship
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+ Numerical interpreter
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We hold our assessments in a few cities, and we’ll have told you which one you’ll attend already, but regardless
of where your assessment happens, your day will follow the same structure. We have two groups of candidates
to see per day, so depending on your group, you might do things in a slightly different order from this, but the
tasks won’t change.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
To get a better idea of what to expect on the day, make sure you watch our film ’The Inside Story’. It’s not an exact
replica of what you’ll experience, but although minor details of the day’s schedule will change, it’s a great way to get
yourself mentally ready: joinus.barclays.com/higher-assessment
Before we get into the details of the day, we just want to talk about our values. They’re a huge
part of our business and we look for them in all our people, so you’ll also be assessed against
them, as well as looking at your strengths. It’s worth getting to know them. They are:
Think about what these values mean to you. Do they come naturally to you? Where have you demonstrated them
in your own life – in work, at school, or through a hobby or pastime? Any examples you can think of will help you on
the day, because it will show us that you have the kind of things we look for in our higher apprentices.
Potential: at the end of the day, this is what we’re really looking for. And we designed our
assessment centres to give you plenty of opportunities to show us yours. Here’s a quick look
at how the day will unfold.
Introduction The second part will be focusing on your strengths – “What makes Barclays special
the things you enjoy and also do well. The strengths-
After we’ve sorted out everyone’s ID, you’ll get to meet
based interview may feel a little different to a
is the fact that they make you
the assessment team. Our colleagues will introduce
themselves, and they’ll take you through the structure
competency-based interview, so the best advice we feel special too. You’re not just
of the day.
can give you is to listen carefully to the questions, and a number among hundreds of
respond honestly and naturally. We’re not trying to trip
You and your fellow candidates will then be split up you up - we just want to know the real you. thousands of employees; you
into two groups. One group will begin the interview.
Some of these questions will also focus on your values,
are you, and you bring your own
The other group will start with the group exercise.
so you might want to reflect on how important our unique spark to the ever evolving
The interview values are to you personally, and how they affect you
world of Barclays.”
in your daily life.
Your assessment centre day includes a 45-minute
interview with one or two assessors. The first part of Unlike a competency-based interview, we won’t ask
Hannah, Higher Apprentice
the interview will be about what we call ‘Motivational you many additional questions, so try to be as detailed
fit’, which is where we’ll look at what drives you and as you can. Don’t worry about rambling – relax and
why you want to join Barclays. Everyone answers the remember that we’re trying to get to know you.
same questions, although the assessors might ask
extra questions if they want to hear more on a
particular point.
Interview hints and tips: Ask questions. You will likely have the chance to ask “Looking back on the assessment
questions at the end of the interview. You could be
Take your time. It’s not a race, so don’t rush your
talking to your future line manager, so show your
centre, it’s absolutely amazing
answers. And if you want any questions repeated,
just ask. enthusiasm by asking them about the programme how nervous I was. But it’s also
Reflect in advance on what your strengths might be.
and our business. If you don’t have time to ask all your amazing how those nerves
questions remember, the break-out sessions are a
What do your friends and family know you for? perfect time to ask one of the existing Apprentices seemed to disappear when I met
What are the things you do well – the things that and/or one of the Early Careers Team. the other candidates and the
get you excited?
Don’t compare notes. It’s best not to discuss the people facilitating the day. Of
Mix things up a bit. Try not to give the same example questions with other candidates as some will not
for each question. The more examples you give us, have had their interview yet.
course pressure is always there
the better. as you are being assessed. But
Mingle, mingle, mingle. You’ll have some time after
Give us examples from any part of your life. your interview before the next stage, so make the to me that was all part of the
When speaking about your strengths, feel free to most of the opportunity to get to know other motivation, to ensure I got a
give us examples from any part of your life – school, candidates and the Barclays team.
personal life, or work life if you have been employed place on the programme.”
before. They don’t have to be banking-related either.
In fact, they probably won’t be. If you tell us about a
Shanice, Leadership and Management
strength by talking about a hobby, or something you
Higher Apprentice
organised, or even just your family life, that’s great.
The group exercise Group exercise hints and tips: “My experience last year was
This is the first practical task at the assessment Ask questions. The end of the initial briefing is the nerve racking but once I entered
centre, and it’s where you’ll get to show us how you only opportunity you’ll have to ask the facilitator
work with others. So, how does it work? questions, so make sure you take it. into the assessment area I forgot
Speak up. Make sure your voice is heard, and that you
all about my nerves and the day
The whole group will be taken into a room where you’ll
find a few assessors – they will be observing you stay interested and actively engaged throughout the sailed by! The team was very
throughout the exercise so make sure you stay focused task. Don’t be afraid to challenge other people’s ideas,
friendly and made the day run a
throughout. You’ll also find a candidate briefing pack, but show that you’re a great listener too.
some writing materials and other tools to help you
whole lot smoother especially as
Share the workload. You’re in a team, so this isn’t
through the exercise. Do not touch any of the materials
about being the star. Think about ways you can work
I was very nervous!
until you are told to. There’ll be a briefing from the lead
together effectively to achieve the exercise objectives.
assessor, after which you’ll all be given the chance to
ask questions. Once all questions are answered, you Make notes. You should make careful notes of your I also found that the day was a great
will have a short period of time to think about the brief final recommendations, and why you made those way to utilise my networking skills
on your own. This is time for you to think about how decisions too, because you’ll need to discuss them in
you’d approach the brief and so that you have an input the role play, later on in the day. with both the other candidates and
when the group part begins. Then you’ll go back into
Mind the time. There’ll be a clock in the room, so try
the team at Barclays.”
the group, where you’ll work together to reach your
to keep an eye on it to make sure your group finishes
answers. During this time, we want to see you working
the exercise in time. Charlotte, HR Higher Apprentice
together to achieve the objectives of the task.
The role-play Role-play hints and tips: “For me, this programme offers a
The role-play picks up where the group exercise left Before the role play starts, review your candidate truly unique experience. There’s
off, looking at the results of the discussion you had. brief again to ensure you know what you need to a range of different challenges
Here, you’ll have the chance to discuss your final cover in your discussion. This will help you discuss all
recommendations from the group exercise task. You’ll the relevant topics with the assessor. and responsibilities, senior
talk about them with a senior colleague at Barclays,
Own it. Our role-plays are designed to be led by you,
leadership exposure, and a
and you’ll aim to gain their support for the decisions
you made.
so take the initiative to present all the ideas and talk fast-paced team environment.
them through fully.
I’m coming to the end of my
Before your role-play begins, you’ll have 20 minutes to
prepare for this role-play task. When it’s time for the
Keep an eye on the time. Try to ensure the role-play Apprenticeship now, but I’m
comes to a natural end within the time allowed.
role-play to start, you’ll be taken to your room. Then, already looking to secure a
one or two assessors will enter the room in character, Don’t compare notes. Again, some of your fellow
and the role-play will start. They’ll introduce candidates will not yet have gone through the role-
permanent role here with
themselves and hand over to you to lead the play so don’t give them a head start. Barclays’ support – so I know
discussion, so try to be confident. Remember though
– your assessors want you to succeed, so relax and
I’ve got an exciting career
enjoy yourself. ahead of me.”
Q&A with Higher Apprentices The end of the day “I’ve been in your shoes, bit
It can be tough to get a sense of what an After the role play and your Q&A session with Higher nervous, bit excited but you’re
apprenticeship is really like, and this day is about you Apprentices at Barclays, you’re done. There’ll be a definitely making the right
getting to know us, as much as we’re getting to know couple of minutes to ask any final questions if you
you. That’s why we wanted to set you up with some want, and then you’re free to go home. decisions. I applied for a Barclays
time during the day where you can ask honest
In terms of feedback, we’ll get back to you within a
Apprenticeship and today I’m
questions to the current Higher Apprenticeship intake.
few weeks to let you know if you were successful or an Assistant Manager, gaining
They’ll give you their advice and thoughts, and tell you not. Either way, we’ll give you a fully detailed feedback
leadership skills and earning
more about what their day-to-day is like, so that you report, which will help you work on your key strengths,
can make sure our programme is really right for you. setting you up for future success – even if it’s not a salary as I work towards my
Make sure you have a think in advance about any with us. degree. The opportunities here
questions you might like to ask, and make a note of
them if you need to. That said, it’s a relaxed session, are unlike anything I’ve ever
so if anything occurs to you on the day, ask them that seen. That’s why this isn’t your
too. They’ll be more than happy to help you
understand what our apprenticeships are all about.
average apprenticeship.”
Remember to approach the day “My experience last year was nerve racking but
in the right way once I entered into the assessment area I forgot all
We want you to get as much out of the day as we do, about my nerves and the day sailed by. The team
so ask plenty of questions and get all the information you
was very friendly and made the day run a whole
need to make the right decision about Barclays. You’re
assessing us as much as we’re assessing you. So take it lot smoother especially as I was very nervous.
all in. Give it your best shot. And above all enjoy it.
We look forward to meeting you. I also found that the day was a great way to utilise
my networking skills with both the other
candidates and the team at Barclays.”