I applied for an analyst position at Barclays Capital this year. Sadly my application was rejected (but I've been invited to make another attempt). I am posting my answers to competency questions. Please go through them and comment whether they are up to the mark or lack depth.1.What makes you suited for the role to which you applied? (90 words max)My undergraduate study in<my college> exposed me to advancedmathematical concepts, statistics and elements of software programming,which will hold me in good stead as the analyst position demands strongquantitative and analytical skills. Also, during my undergraduate studies, Iwas an integral part of institute-level committees and have learned a lotabout working in teams during crunch situations. Apart from academics, Ihave proven my time-management skills by excelling in numerousextracurricular activities. Finally, I have a strong desire to learn theintricacies of finance.2. From the research you have done on ourindustry, how does our firm fit in with yourcareer aspirations? (90 words)Of all the major investment banks today, I find Barclays Capital to be mostbullish in terms of future growth and corporate strategy. Barclay plc's bidfor ABN AMRO Bank is a glowing testament to this. Even if Barclay's bid isturned down by ABN AMRO's shareholders, the aggressive growthstrategies charted by the management in new markets, like India, willcreate plenty of challenges and opportunities to be explored. And workingin Barclays Capital as an analyst would enable me to grow along with arapidly growing company.3. Describe a recent development in thendustry. What implications might thdevelopment have for our firm or thedivision to which you have applied? (90 words)The proposed merger between Barclays plc and ABN AMRO, if approved bythe latter's shareholders, would propel Barclays into the league of top fivefinancial services firms. Apart from Barclays, a RBS-led consortium is alsoin the fray. The outcome will have significant impact on Barclays Capital. IfBarclays plc's bid is accepted, then Barclays Capital will get access to ABNAMROs extensive network of clients in critical markets - especially Asia.Also, this inorganic route will also catalyze the growth path outlined by Mr.John Varley.Text

If you don't mind I'm going to use this as a worked example of how to improve these things ?Yo don't make thie errror, but for the benefit of others do not go over 90.You waste words, 90 is a budget, you need to get as much value as possible."elements of" should die, preferably in a painful way. This is a short hard sell, not a balanced analysis."exposed" is again weak, you did this shit, it didn't fall on you.Lose "Also" and the "have" from "have learned".Thus the first sentence becomesMy undergraduate study at<my college> equipped me with the advancedmathematics, statistics and programming the analyst position demands. You repeat "undergraduate", bad. Almost all repetition is bad in this context, wasteful and clumsy.So it looks likeMy undergraduate study in<my college> equipped me with the advancedmathematics, statistics and programming the analyst position demands. During my studies, I was an active member of institute-level committees and learned much about working in teams during crunch situations. Apart from academics, I have proven my time-management skills by excelling in numerousextracurricular activities. Finally, I have a strong desire to apply my quantitative and analytical skills to learn intricacies of finance.I got you 18 words to say more nice things about yourself.2) You spell Barclays more than one way. They can't be both right.They know they are a PLC, you don't need to say.Only time you use this sort of thing is to specify the difference between a sub unit and the whole.Personally I don't like the term "bullish". It has an air of reckless overconfidence, "ambitious" is better.Ok, your analysis of the merger was off, but you were right to go that way since you can hardly say their own vanity over stretched the business logic of the deal.You general sentiment is spot on, as a newbie you want somewhere growing.But that was then, and this is now.Also I do not see how this relates to the division you are going for.So let's see the post credit crunch variant.How will Barcap grow ?Tougher question, one I don't know either.Do that by PM if you like.

I applied a month and a half ago... For the 3rd one I wrote something about the credit crunch, and I predicted that the Feds were going to cut the interest rate in an attempt to stabilize the market after the tumultuous month in August. Then I said that they should position themselves so that they can capitalize on the interest rate getting cut. I got an interview

"applied a month and a half ago... For the 3rd one I wrote something about the credit crunch, and I predicted that the Feds were going to cut the interest rate in an attempt to stabilize the market after the tumultuous month in August. Then I said that they should position themselves so that they can capitalize on the interest rate getting cut. I got an interview "--->WoW!