This is another opinion I will keep succinct and to the point.

Barcap has an excellent recruitment program which works as follows:

i) You take 4-5 aptitude tests. This will test your numerical and comprehension abilities plus also your syntax and personality.

If you achieve scores in the top few % then you will be invited to:

ii) submit your CV. This is the first time that Barcap get a good chance to look at your skill sets. To be honest, I think that once you've been asked to submit a CV then you are practically guaranteed a seat at the selection day.

iii) The selection day is split into three parts. The first part of the day is spent undertaking programming tests. Dependent on your skill set you will have to take a C+, VB or pseudo language test. The second part of the day is spent either having two interviews (usually one general and other techinical - although in my case it was two generalist interviews) or having a tour around the trading floor and up to the top of the Canary Wharf tower. the third part is doing whatever you didn't do in stage 2! After all those activities have taken place you will get the chance to meet some senior managers who have some excellent knowledge. this is your opportunity to really find out more about the bank and whether a career in investment banking is for you.

If you are lucky and are offered a position, Barcap will look after you very well. The renumeration is excellent for graduates (at the top end of the graduate market) and the training is second to none. The working environment isn't the constant high pressure some people imagine it to be, although that's not to say it can not get like that.

Overall, the Barcap graduate recruitment process is very well handled and will select you on your ability more so than on your personality/old boy networks.