Francesca's success story: Securing an Industrial Placement with Grant Thornton

Francesca is an Economics and Finance student at the University of Leeds. She secured a Commercial Audit Placement with Grant Thornton in Leeds, through Bright Network.  

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

"I would say my career path reflects my interests in solving real world problems and working with others to help understand how businesses operate. Growing up, I had no idea what job I wanted, but since going to university, I realised that I was drawn to the accounting sector as I could combine analytical thinking and making an impact. From both my studies and work experience, I developed an interest in audit because of the variety of work involved and the chance to learn and develop."

What motivated you to apply for your role?  

"I was drawn to Grant Thornton because the firm had the balance that I was aiming for at this stage of my career: real responsibility, combined with learning from day one. I was drawn to Commercial Audit because of the variety of clients that I would work with, and I would gain exposure to different industries and challenges. Audit is also about building relationships and trust, with both clients and colleagues, and this balance between technical and people skills is why I chose to work in audit."

What was the application process like?   

"The application process for GT consisted of 4 stages: an online assessment, a written case study, an online group exercise and a final round interview. I particularly appreciated the support that I received from GT along the way, with updates about the outcome of each stage coming very quickly, as well as phone calls to discuss how I can succeed at each stage. One part I found particularly challenging was the group exercise, as this was my first experience of something like that in an application process. However, using the resources that GT provided, as well as online resources from Bright Network, I was able to approach this challenge with a positive mindset, despite some nerves." 

What are you most proud of about your journey?  

"I am proud of the personal growth that I have achieved. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the competitive application process, and trying to balance this with university and other commitments. Rejections definitely tested my confidence, but I tried to use them as a lesson to learn and improve from to improve my applications going forward. Overcoming these challenges and securing the role at Grant Thornton was incredibly rewarding, and a massive relief!"

What have you learned from going through the process?

"The application process taught me the importance of preparation, but also just being myself. Employers value honesty in interviews as they want to understand who you are and how you approach challenges. I expected the process to be scarier than it was, so looking back, I wish I'd known not to be so nervous. It is okay not to have perfect answers to every question. Being yourself is far more important than saying what you think the interviewer wants to hear."

What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?  

"My biggest piece of advice would be preparation. Take a look at all the opportunities that are available to you, and decide which ones you really want to apply to. Quality of applications definitely beats quantity - I wish I'd known this when I started as I was applying to everything! The best advice I received for interviews was to take a moment if you feel nervous or can’t answer a question they've asked you. Take a sip of water as this can give you time to work out what you want to say. Easier said than done, but don’t panic - the interviewers want you to do well too."

Tell us about the future. What’s next?  

"I am excited to continue with my placement year, and really delve into the world of audit! I'm looking forward to the variety of clients that I am going to work with, and the different challenges that each one will bring."