We recently caught up with Emily about how they secured a graduate role with Ofcom, how they built commercial awareness before the interview and their top tips for Bright Network members looking to follow in their footsteps.
What stood out to you about Ofcom?
I was and am attracted to Ofcom’s mission to protect and empower audiences. The chance to be part of a team that will develop meaningful policy and ensure it is enforced was a very exciting opportunity that stood out to me. Additionally, the announcement that Ofcom would become the UK’s online harms regulator was of particular interest to me as I had worked in this area before during an internship. The Policy, Enforcement and Research Graduate Programme at Ofcom interested me because of the breadth of experience it offered whilst complimenting my passions and career goals. From researching the role and Ofcom, I knew working there would allow me to enhance skills I had already, and I would also be able to cultivate skills in areas I am newer to, such as regulatory investigations.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
Targeted research, with summary notes to build on and refer to, was my main method for building commercial awareness for my application process. Ofcom is involved in telecommunications regulation and has powers in a lot of different areas, so it was key to get a good picture of the various issues that Ofcom would be concerned about. Keeping notes meant I could go back to key information and build on my understanding when reading new articles. Additionally, using a variety of sources for information was very helpful to get a diversity of opinions on key issues, as well as information from the Ofcom website directly. Publications specifically for the telecommunications industry and articles on financial information were especially helpful to fill in some gaps in my knowledge initially.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
My top tip would be to reflect on what your unique interest in the role is and what you can specifically bring to areas of the job role. By really taking time to think about what draws you to a position or scheme, it shows that you have taken the effort to show passion for the job you are applying for. By delving into what you can specifically bring to a workplace or programme it will make you stand out and show depth in your application. Rather than using general examples, it’s best to find something interesting and different you can talk about that allows for engaging conversation. Examples should never be forced or exaggerated, but it is helpful to put thought into what makes you a valuable employee specifically and what you personally have contributed to work, university or school in the past that makes you the right choice for the employer.
How did Bright Network help you secure the role?
Before putting in an initial application I attended a Bright Network Career Festival, which really helped me get a sense of where I could apply in the sectors I was interested in and what role I could be well suited to. Subsequently, Bright Network was how I found out about the role that I will be starting in September at Ofcom so the journey to my upcoming role started with researching jobs and graduate opportunities on the Bright Network website in 2020. Going forward, I used Bright Network Academy resources and career advice pages to prepare for each stage of my application process. The courses on aptitude tests, how to ace video interviews and how to succeed at assessment centres were key to me feeling prepared and confident going into various stages of the application.
What’s been the toughest interview question you’ve faced and how did you tackle it?
The question may not sound like the toughest one you might face but the question I found most difficult was; ‘Give an example of when you have used research to solve a complex problem?’ Despite having done a humanities degree and writing many essays using research to answer complex questions, my nerves meant that I struggled to think of a logical example. I ended up picking an example that was a bit left-field but remained focused on the key message and skills I knew I wanted to express about my background to show I was a good candidate, even if I had not prepped to use that example for a research-focused question. Ofcom really helpfully included a reflection interview as part of their assessment process so I could return to this question and evaluate how I would have answered the question differently after taking more time to think about it.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Take time to research around the role and organisation, it helps to avoid nerves and you come across engaged with the wider issues and sector.
- If you are doing interviews and assessment centres remotely, practice filming yourself to see how you come across.
- It might sound cheesy but smiling really helps, it sets the tone for the interview or assessment and projects confidence.
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.
