Citi Spring Week 2026: How to Apply and Get In

Key Takeaways

• Citi's Spring Insight Programme runs for 4 days in-person in London, across 5 divisions including Investment Banking, Markets, and Technology
• The Citi spring week application has 4 stages: online form with 3 written questions, psychometric tests, phone interview, and live video interview
• Psychometric tests are provided by Korn Ferry and include numerical reasoning and situational judgement
• Citi values ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) awareness at every level. Mentioning sustainability in your application gives you a genuine edge
• Applications for the 2026 cycle closed in November 2025. The 2027 cycle typically opens in September
• The video interview is a live 30-minute Zoom call with a manager, not a pre-recorded HireVue

Citi's Spring Insight Programme (commonly called the Citi spring week) is a 4-day placement at their London office, giving first-year candidates direct exposure to divisions like Investment Banking, Markets, Global Wealth, Services, and Technology. It is one of the most competitive spring week programmes in UK finance, and getting in requires more than a strong CV.

This guide breaks down every stage of the Citi spring week application process, the exact questions you will be asked, and what Citi's recruiters actually look for.

Key facts

Citi spring week application process

The Citi Spring Insight Programme has 4 stages. The full process takes around 2 to 3 months from application to offer.

Stage 1: Online application

You submit your CV and answer 3 motivation questions, each with a 300-word limit. There is also an optional cover letter field.

The 3 questions assess your motivation for joining Citi, your understanding of the business, and your career aspirations. Generic answers that could apply to any bank will not pass this stage.

How to approach this:

• Research Citi's specific divisions before you apply. If you are interested in Markets, mention Citi's fixed income capabilities or their EMEA trading desk. If you are interested in Banking, reference a recent Citi-led deal
• Use the full 300 words. These questions are your only chance to show genuine interest before the screening stage
• Connect your academic interests or experiences directly to the division you are applying for
• Mention Citi's values (integrity, client focus, innovation) with specific examples of how they align with your own
• Apply early. Citi reviews on a rolling basis, so earlier submissions have an advantage

For a deeper look at how successful candidates have approached Citi applications across different roles, read the full Citi application guide on OurGen.

Stage 2: Psychometric tests

After your application is reviewed, you will receive an invitation to complete two online assessments provided by Korn Ferry.

Numerical reasoning test: A timed assessment covering data interpretation, percentage calculations, ratio analysis, and chart reading. You will work through scenarios with tables and graphs, answering multiple questions per data set.

Situational judgement test (SJT): Workplace scenario questions where you rank responses from most to least effective. These test your decision-making, teamwork, and alignment with Citi's values.

How to prepare:

• Practice under timed conditions. Speed matters as much as accuracy
• For numerical reasoning, focus on percentages, ratios, and reading data from complex tables
• For SJTs, familiarise yourself with Citi's core values. The "best" answer is usually the one that demonstrates collaboration, integrity, and proactive problem-solving
• Complete practice tests on JobTestPrep or a similar platform to get used to the Korn Ferry format
• If you are unsure on a question, make an educated guess and move on. Leaving answers blank is worse than guessing

Stage 3: Phone interview

A 20-minute call with someone from Citi's HR team. The questions focus on competency and motivation.

Questions you might be asked:

• "Tell me about a time you worked in a team to achieve a goal."
• "How would you handle a disagreement with a colleague?"
• "Why Citi, and why this division specifically?"
• "What do you know about Citi's recent deals or strategy?"
• "Describe a time you demonstrated integrity at work or at university."

How to answer:

• Keep each answer to 1 to 2 minutes. The phone format means long, rambling answers will lose the interviewer
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for competency questions
• Have your CV in front of you for reference
• Prepare 1 to 2 thoughtful questions to ask at the end. Asking about the team structure or recent projects shows genuine interest
• Be warm and personable. Phone interviews are partially assessing your communication style

Stage 4: Video interview

A 30-minute live interview on Zoom with a manager from the division you applied to. This is not a pre-recorded HireVue assessment. It is a real conversation.

Questions you might be asked:

• "Why Citi and why this division?"
• "Tell me about a time you worked under pressure."
• "What would you do if you disagreed with your manager's approach?"
• "Walk me through your CV."
• "Tell me about a recent news story relevant to Citi's business."
• "What makes Citi different from its competitors?"

How to prepare:

• Research the manager on LinkedIn before the interview. Knowing their background helps you tailor your questions
• Maintain eye contact with your camera, not the screen
• Dress formally from head to toe, even though it is virtual
• Be ready to discuss your CV in detail. The manager will ask about specific experiences
• Prepare a current financial news story and explain how it connects to Citi's strategy or the division you are applying for

What Citi actually looks for (the ESG edge)

One factor that separates strong Citi candidates from the rest is ESG awareness. A Citi recruiter has confirmed that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals are a real screening factor at every level, from spring week candidates to VPs.

The reason is structural. Citi's largest institutional shareholders, including BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, require ESG compliance as a condition of capital allocation. Citi takes this seriously, and they want candidates who understand why.

How to use this:

• Mention a specific ESG initiative Citi has undertaken, such as their commitment to $1 trillion in sustainable finance by 2030
• Link your own academic work, volunteering, or interests to sustainability themes
• In interview answers, show that you understand why ESG matters to Citi commercially, not just ethically

This is not about pretending to care about the environment. It is about demonstrating that you understand how modern financial institutions operate.

Hundreds of candidates inside the free community are working on Citi and Tier 1 spring week applications right now. Join them for free.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Writing generic motivation answers. "I want to work at Citi because it is a leading global bank" tells them nothing. Reference specific divisions, deals, or strategies that attracted you
2. Ignoring the SJT. Many candidates prepare for the numerical test but treat the situational judgement as an afterthought. Citi's SJT is directly tied to their values framework
3. Not preparing a financial news story. Both the phone and video interviews will test your commercial awareness. Have at least 2 current stories ready, ideally linked to Citi's business
4. Treating the video interview like a phone call. Eye contact with the camera, professional dress, and a clean background all matter on Zoom
5. Applying late. Citi reviews applications on a rolling basis. The earlier you submit, the better your chances

How candidates land offers at Tier 1 banks

Getting through a competitive process like Citi's requires more than preparing for each stage in isolation. The candidates who consistently land spring week offers are the ones who treat their entire application strategy as a system.

Tim is one of hundreds of candidates inside the free community working on Citi and Tier 1 spring week applications right now. Join them for free.

Related guides

• Citi Summer Internship application process
• Goldman Sachs Spring Week application process
• BlackRock Spring Intern application process

Start preparing now

If you are applying to Citi, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, or any other Tier 1 bank and not hearing back, the problem is rarely one application. It is your entire approach. Join the free community with hundreds of other candidates working on Citi and Tier 1 spring week applications right now. Join for free.

Frequently Asked Questions