James' success story: Securing a Graduate role at Deloitte

James studied Geography at Durham University. He secured his graduate role as a Digital Innovation Analyst within Tax Consulting with Deloitte, through Bright Network.

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

"I'm someone who has always enjoyed solving problems and didn't necessarily know what job I wanted to go into. I studied Geography at university because it was my favourite A-Level and kept lots of doors open!

I applied for a wide range of roles, particularly in consulting because of the variety of transferable skills consulting employers were looking for."

What motivated you to apply for your role?

"Deloitte have a great reputation as employers who support their employees throughout their whole career, with support for their graduates through qualifications. In addition to the cutting edge nature of the role in Tax which really motivated me."

What was the application process like?

"The application process was one of the most simple I experienced.

The feedback which Deloitte provide along the way is important to reflect on if you progress to the latter stages.

I was most nervous for the Final Stage Assessment in a Deloitte office, but all the interviewers were very welcoming and open to questions."

What are you most proud of about your journey?

"I'm very proud that the first in-person interview I was invited to was successful! The most important part is to be interested in the role and the company and to show that to the interviewees.

You need to be able to show them that you are a good long-term investment for them. This firstly comes with your skillset but mostly your personality."

How did Bright Network help you secure your role?

"The usability of the Bright Network website helped me to check recent roles very easily and the deadline tracker allowed me to keep on top of all the different roles. The stories and advice from successful graduates also inspired me to keep going."

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

"I believe that the application process demands perseverance. It's the test that some people will fail before getting a job. It's also very important to make sure you get into a rhythm of making applications and online assessments.

My other tip is to keep a record of your answers from all your different applications, so you can use them for other applications."

Tell us about the future. What's next?