We recently caught up with Namita about how they secured a trainee role with BDO, 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 BDO?
To me, it was the culture of BDO that stood out the most. I had the chance to speak to some of the employees via Internship Experience UK and from career fairs and I was really impressed by what they told me. BDO really goes out of its way to ensure its employees are looked after and are comfortable. Not to mention the effort they put into their graduates to ensure they have a smooth as a possible transition from being a student to a working adult. They provide all the tools for us to learn and better ourselves as well as foster an environment where we can be comfortable asking plenty of questions. These points meant a lot to me as I was nervous about the idea of what came after university.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
I built my commercial awareness by listening to the news, mainly the BBC and the Financial Times on Apple Podcasts. I made it a habit to listen to these episodes every day in the morning or whenever I can, just to get a brief overview of the world. With specific topics that drew my interest or were related to the field I was applying to, I made it a point to investigate them with more depth a little every day and just jot down notes. It was difficult, I admit, to keep up with all the news but once you get into the habit of it, it gets easier to absorb more subjects on the go. I occasionally discussed the news with my friends and family as well to get their opinions and different perspectives and to exchange stories.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
Read up as much as you can on the companies you have applied for (websites, brochures, news, etc.) and reach out to their employees on LinkedIn. I know this is not for everyone as it is always difficult to strike a conversation with a stranger (let alone online). However, it helped me tons as I gained insight from the employees at BDO which gave me that extra edge in my partner interview. It also shows you have taken the extra mile and initiative to learn more about that company. Also, practice your numerical and verbal reasoning. There are plenty online for you to try and a little every day goes a long way as you pick up speed.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
Bright Network helped me secure this role by essentially teaching me how to network. I’m someone who is relatively reserved and when I partook in Internship Experience UK and was forced into networking with others, it was such a learning experience. However, I learnt to appreciate it a lot as I was trained to be put on the spot and to be creative in talking to a variety of people across the globe. I am so grateful I had that over the summer as it was such an important skill to learn. With the confidence I gained from Internship Experience UK, I put myself out there and got in touch with people and it eventually led me to land a role with BDO.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Don’t give up! I know the application process and job hunting is difficult but all the hard work put in will always, always pay off!
- Have a strategy. Don’t overexert yourself with applying to a bunch of companies. It is technically a numbers game, yes, but don't burn yourself out with one too many!
- Talk to people. I know this is not easy, but it could be with friends and family. Bounce ideas off them, especially when preparing for interviews.
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.
