Barkawi Interview Questions
& Process

The process began with a recruiter call. Then, we moved on to an onsite phase which included a case study with a presentation, and separate interviews with a Partner, Principal, and Senior Manager. The entire interview day was dedicated to these sessions.

After submitting my application, I was invited for an interview within a week. Beforehand, they shared the exact schedule for the day. Besides two interviews, I was also asked to work on a case study. You can only prepare for this to a limited extent with common methods like those on Preplounge. To deliver a well-founded presentation, a certain depth in Accounting and Supply Chain topics is necessary, as they tend to dig deep when you present your proposed solution. This created a pressure situation, which wasn't felt in the interviews themselves. I found it particularly positive that I was offered a 'taster day' on a Friday. This gave me the chance to meet potential colleagues in advance.

The interview process was quick, easy, and accommodating. I first chatted with the recruiter, Robin Malmanger, who conducted an initial phone screening with behavioral questions and a discussion about my work history. Next, I had another call with a senior employee. We talked about my past experience and the company's current initiatives, which helped me understand the company culture and where I might fit. They aimed to balance my interests with the company's needs. What impressed me about Barkawi was their commitment to making the process mutually beneficial. Robin seemed to have my best interests at heart, focusing on my career growth, which is unusual. After the two calls, I had an in-person interview that lasted one day and involved three people: my potential direct manager and two colleagues in similar roles. This interview also covered my past experience and included behavioral and some technical questions. Everyone was friendly and welcoming while still asking pertinent questions to assess my fit. I left feeling even more enthusiastic about Barkawi. Robin contacted me within a couple of days to say they wanted to proceed but needed time to finalize the offer. This prompt communication, even before the official offer, showed consideration. As promised, I received the offer within a few days and happily accepted.

The interview process had three stages. First, a phone interview that lasted about an hour and included a personality test, where I discussed my background and interest in the company, along with some behavioral questions. Then, there was a technical interview with a consultant, also via phone, focused on evaluating my logical thinking. I had to tackle a supply chain management problem, explaining my approach and any assumptions made. This part was followed by a good conversation about the role, similar to the first round, which made me feel comfortable. The final stage was an on-site interview. It started with a 15-minute presentation I prepared for a group of employees, which involved tough questions and required careful topic selection and preparation. After the presentation, I had four more interviews with different managers, mainly focusing on behavioral questions, which felt like normal conversations. I spent about 3 hours at the office, and the HR team was present throughout, making the experience very comfortable. This overall positive experience was a key factor in accepting their offer.