We spent some time catching up with Bright Network member Oli. Currently studying Chemistry at the University of Warwick, Oli tells us how he successfully secured a role at AIG and during the process learnt that assessment days aren’t as bad as you think!
How did Bright Network help?
Allowed me to network with future employers and made me aware of incoming events that would help me to secure the internship (ACIG Insight Day, CEO Event).
Why did you choose this firm and this role?
Underwriting fascinated me, and above all AIG as a company aligned with my personal values and beliefs.
What was the toughest part of the application process? And your favourite part?
Toughest part was definitely writing my cover letter/CV, because there’s no real guidelines other than the generic advice they give you at university/careers fairs, so you have to research the company yourself and work out what they’re looking for and how you can make yourself sound appealing to them.
Were you surprised by anything in the process?
Probably the Assessment day – I actually enjoyed it and didn’t feel pressured at all (I can’t speak for other firms’ days).
What three top tips would you give to summer interns applying?
- Do your best to try to go to one of the company in question’s offices and get some facetime with the recruiters and the teams you hope to be working for. It sounds fairly small, but if you can build up a rapport then you’re more likely to secure an interview, and once you’re in the assessment stage, they have something other than the 30-60mins they spend with you to go off.
- Apply to plenty of companies because it increases your chances of getting an interview, but don’t apply to so many that you end up watering down your CV/Cover Letter to appeal to all of them at once. If employers don’t think you’re being genuine and are just looking for another interview to bulk out your experience, they probably won’t be impressed, and are likely to discard your application.
- Networking – this is such a blanket term, there are endless ways to do this, and it’s definitely not limited to dedicated days like todays event (Bright Network). Talk to your parents, go to uni events, message someone on your course who mentioned they’re thinking of going into banking about sharing ideas. It doesn’t stop at the end of the working day.
