We recently caught up with Milena about how they secured a graduate role with the CNWL Trust, 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 the firm you secured your role with?
CNWL Trust has a strong reputation for educational excellence in terms of medical training and is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. They are a powerhouse for providing mental health support for over a third of London’s population and beyond, reaching into areas such as Milton Keynes. Their values of compassion, respect, empowerment, and partnership really stood out to me, as I think they are incredibly important to embody as a healthcare professional. I was so thankful to have been considered for the interview, let alone securing the role!
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
Most people might think that commercial awareness is only relevant for roles concerning business and corporate jobs, but that is not the case! Commercial awareness is so important for any job application process because it demonstrates your awareness of a company and their inner workings. I read about the CNWL Trust values and vision, to ensure I was able to demonstrate these during my interview. Most importantly, I scoured the news for any old and recent articles involving the CNWL Trust. By showcasing this during my interview, I was able to show that I was up to date on their recent projects and demonstrated genuine interest towards the company and job role.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
Jobs in the NHS may slightly vary in their application process depending on the role you are applying for. Nevertheless, they all involve submitting a CV and supporting statement (similar to a cover letter) before securing an interview. My top tip is to use your university career department! Get them to triple check your CV and cover letter, go to different career consultants to get different points of view. Also, make sure to use key words from the job description in your application, and demonstrate the company values. Finally, always do your research about the company; even if you lack certain experience, your genuine interest and enthusiasm for a company will outshine this. Remember, employers are not just recruiting you based on your skills and qualifications, but they are assessing how well you are interested in the role you’re applying for and whether you would fit in.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
During my second year of university, I set myself a goal of exploring various career paths and familiarizing myself with the job market. Bright Network not only offers fantastic internship and placement opportunities, but they host great networking events! These can be daunting but they are incredibly helpful in boosting your confidence and meeting new people. Bright Network helped me by improving my networking skills and facilitating my job hunting, and I cannot recommend this platform enough.
What’s the toughest interview question you’ve faced and how did you tackle it?
This is a hard question! I think the hardest questions are those pertaining to the specifics of a job role, where you don’t necessarily have the direct experience and that can catch people out easily. The best thing to do in this situation is to take a breath and try to remain calm. Demonstrate your potential, smile, talk about your relevant experience (that is, experience that is relevant to the prospective job role that you extrapolate from unrelated job roles), and don’t panic! The employer likely knows that you don’t have direct experience, but they offered you an interview for a reason. They can see your potential, and as long as you show that you are an enthusiastic candidate who is willing to work hard and learn, you will trump other candidates who might have direct experience but zero enthusiasm for the role.
Did you use Bright Network Academy in your career search and if so, how did it help you?
I did not use this in my career search, however having looked at the resources available on Bright Network Academy, I think it is a fantastic tool to expand your knowledge about a particular sector, or just improve your job-hunting skills. The modules are grouped by different topics and skill levels, and they show you how long each module might take to complete. I think it is a really accessible tool and can be used by people in university and beyond.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Rejection is redirection.
- Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
- Explore what the world has to offer – say yes to opportunities, even if you are afraid!
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.
