We caught up with Daniel after his internship at Macquarie where he secured a role as a business analyst on the 2020 Graduate Programme.
Why did you choose Macquarie?
I chose Macquarie because the company offers a unique opportunity to enter an investment-focused role directly out of university. In particular, they are one of the most successful players in the infrastructure asset class which I had enjoyed studying as a part of my university's investment club.
How did you find the application process? Were there any bits you particularly enjoyed? Or found challenging?
I found the application process to be very streamlined. The feedback after each stage was quickly communicated and I was constantly learning more about Macquarie's culture through each step. My favourite part of the process was discussing the risks of issuing debt to a company during an assessment centre case study with a handful of the firm's associates. I personally found the video interview to be the most challenging since it didn’t have the human feedback component of a regular interview.
What three tips would you give to BN members looking to follow in your footsteps?
1) Identify three criteria points of what you are looking for in a position before you apply anywhere
2) Reflect confidence and your fit for the role by preparing examples of your experiences that make you suitable for the position.
3) Start taking initiative early in your university career through internships, student societies, or independent projects. Experience compounds similarly to interest and having an early head start will pay dividends in the future.
How did Bright Network help?
Bright Network proved to be an invaluable resource, especially as an international student trying to break into the UK labour market. The database introduced me to many companies in London that I would never have had contact with at my university. Bright Network was also kind enough to provide feedback on my CV which allowed me to market myself more easily to firms.
And finally, what was the toughest interview question you faced?
The toughest question came during the video interview stage when I was asked to elaborate on a recent deal made by the company. I learned from this experience to not only research a company's methodology and structure but also what it has recently been up to in the news.
