We recently caught up with Beckett about how he secured a Digital Assurance graduate role with Frazer Nash Consultancy, his top tips for navigating the application process and how Bright Network helped him secure the role.
What stood out to you about Frazer Nash Consultancy?
Frazer Nash stands out to me because they do the kind of work I really feel passionate about, where you know you can make a real positive difference to society. Their website talks about how they value and celebrate diversity and gives some examples, which is great to see and helped reassure me that they truly care about their employees. Furthermore, everyone I spoke to throughout the recruitment process was very kind and welcoming. I feel that our values are a good match.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
I spent a lot of time learning as much as I could about the company, even before I applied. I looked them up online and went through their whole website, and I read company reviews from current and ex-employees. I think it's important to do this beforehand so you know before you apply if you would really be happy to work there. Thankfully, I was very reassured by what I saw! I also did some background research on the state of the industry, to get a feel for the kinds of assignments I would get if I had the job, and to prepare for any interview questions.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
For this role, applicants are asked to prepare a presentation about some of their experiences. I'd advise anyone doing this to give themselves plenty of time to work on their presentation and rehearse the timings. Don't be afraid to practise by yourself with a stopwatch or test it on other people if you have the opportunity! That said, don't fret that you have to create a movie-grade script and do it all flawlessly. It's also important to remember that all the applicants are in your position, so don't feel like you 'might not be good enough' - you made it this far!
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
Bright Network has some amazingly helpful resources that are available at no cost, so I was extremely grateful for that. The Career Path Guides were especially useful to me, so I knew what kinds of roles I should be applying for in order to get to where I want to be in future. It was also really useful to have a site that filters by graduate roles only, and partners with some of the best companies in industry to make sure you are extra efficient in your job search. Thanks!
What’s been the toughest interview question you've faced and how did you tackle it?
A tough one for me is when they ask you about your personal values at work. I know what I want to say, but I think it's difficult to give an answer to the question that sets you apart from all the other applicants. What worked for me was just being honest and genuine. Interviewers have probably seen and heard just about everything, so what will make a difference is how genuine and passionate you are. It can be a bit nerve-wracking to talk about your deep personal values, but I'd just advise you to be yourself
Did you use Bright Network Academy in your career search and if so, how did it help you?
My university recommended Bright Network Academy for their practice psychometric tests. This was the part of applications I always feared the most, so getting a feel for what kinds of things might come up helped settle my nerves. I already have a good grasp of coding with Python, but I've also recommended the Python courses to my classmates who want to get that extra edge on their CV. It's so beneficial to have all the modules and resources available for free, so I'm extremely grateful for that.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Tailoring your CV to each particular application is worth the effort.
- Remember that a lot of grads get impostor syndrome from time to time. Keep faith in your own ability and don't be afraid to apply for a role you like.
- Check out companies on search engines and Glassdoor before you apply.
Let us know where you've secured your work experience, internship or graduate role. We want to celebrate your success with a gift from us and exclusive invitations to evening networking drinks throughout the year.
