We caught up with Max Richards, Audit Associate at the National Audit Office, to learn more about his experience so far.
What stood out to you about the National Audit Office?
The NAO stood out as a friendly organisation in which I could both be in a role where my work benefits others and gain valuable experiences and skills, especially the professional accountancy qualification. It was important to me that my work would set me on a path to be useful and part of the solution, not the problem, in the challenging times we face!
How did you make your application stand out?
As any applicant knows, these days it's partly a numbers game. I don't think there's a special formula for success. Simply take time to consider how you can highlight your strengths and experiences that have helped you. Particularly for the NAO, I think it's worth getting a bit of an understanding of the public sector and having a look at some of the NAO reports!
What part of the application process did you find most challenging?
The assessment centre was the most challenging part of the process, with four activities including an interview throughout the day. However, the interviewer was very friendly and wanted to help get the best out of me, and even though I wasn't entirely happy with my performance on two of the activities I was still able to get through. Everyone, including the HR team and assessors, gave the impression that they wanted you to succeed, while checking to see if you had the competencies outlined on the application page.
What are your top tips for tackling tough interview questions?
Staying calm, and allowing yourself a moment to think about the question. You can only ever do your best, and as long as you focus on preparing as best as you can, whatever happens in the interview happens! Finally, perfection can sometimes be the enemy of the good, so try not to get too caught up overanalysing your responses during or afterwards. Good luck with your interviews, whether it's for the NAO or other organisations.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Just apply! I sometimes spent a lot of mental energy thinking about whether I felt good enough to apply for roles. It's easier said than done, but don't worry about outcomes of applications, just focus on preparing yourself as best as you can.
- Prepare. Think about examples of qualities you have, and write down some STAR frameworks. Even if its just 5 mins a day, you will thank yourself later.
- Take it easy. Your worth as an individual is not defined by what job you get, or how many applications you have to send out.
Ready to find out more?Head over to the NAO's profile to explore their upcoming opportunities!