We recently caught up with Joseph about how they secured a Business Consulting Industrial Placement with EY, tough interview questions and their top tips for Bright Network members looking to follow in their footsteps.
What stood out to you about EY?
The people and the culture! You can really see and experience this as you go through the interview stages across assessment centres. They are friendly and really seem to care about your progress.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
I attended Internship Experience UK in the consulting pathway. This helped in understanding the industry. There are quite a few resources on the website which were really useful, especially for interviews.
What are your top tips for tackling tough interview questions?
Preparation is always key, read up some common questions, but never try to memorise answers - instead focus on what you're trying to communicate to the interviewer. Don't be afraid to take a few seconds to think, and be comfortable in that "awkward silence", a good answer is always better than a quick answer.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
I subscribed to newsletters from industry social media pages (for more insight into the industry and the role's day-to-day responsibilities - e.g. WSO, Fishbowl etc.) and also utilised university subscriptions to FT for general commercial news. Easy way would be to turn on notifications to news apps on your phone, so at least you get headlines everyday to keep you in the loop of global market activity (even if it’s not in detail).
What 2 tips would you give to Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Pick and choose companies to focus on and really tailor your applications to them. Don’t apply to every company you see! Quality of applications is more important than the quantity. Also, you’ll have fewer rejections!
- Speak to as many people in the industry as possible. They can give you lots of information and you can get a feel for what the company is like. This can be online or in person.
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.
