Anita is a graduate consultant at Reply, having read International Management at the University of Warwick. We caught up with Anita, who was happy to share her experience at the company and share tips for the application process.
Tell us a bit about your role at Reply
I’ve been working as a consultant at Reply since July (so this is my second month!). The workload has been incredibly varied, with tasks ranging from presentations, business performance analyses to strategy research and implementation. I have even had contact with a client; it was really interesting going on the client side so early on because it showed how much the company trusted its people. My superiors also make an effort to take time to teach me and supported me greatly before the first client meeting.
How's your experience at Reply been?
It’s been great; everyone is very friendly and there’s a nice, relaxed atmosphere. You feel comfortable speaking to anyone and never lunch alone. The company encourages a culture of hard work and a good social life – we have around three socials a month and also get a lot of exposure to what other people are doing, whether they are in engineering, creative work or project management.
What attracted you to Reply and the role?
I actually met Reply through the Bright Network Women in TEC event. One of the people from the Reply team stood out to me; she was open and approachable, and I became interested in the company. I left my e-mail at their desk and they got in touch with me!
Reply as a group are so diverse and innovative – they’re a collection of different networks that specialise in areas like Financial Consulting and Data (I’m in Networks and Security), so there is a lot of room to specialise.
Another thing that attracted me to Reply was how non-traditional it was – they are very agile and work in a unique way, especially in their approach to technology, consulting and branding.
What was the application process like - what was the toughest and most enjoyable part?
The first stage was a call from HR asking me about myself and my interests, seeing whether I was the right fit for the company. The second stage was a face-to-face interview; though nerve-wracking at first, it was an enjoyable time as they asked what part of the company I would be interested in. This really stood out to me because I felt like they were asking me for my preferences and trying to accommodate to me.
The toughest part was the final interview, which was with a partner of the company, the manager and the senior manager. This was challenging because I had to do a lot of preparation, but the atmosphere was still welcoming, and I had a positive outlook.
Do you have any hints and tips for those wanting to join Reply?
What helps a lot is meeting companies like Reply at events like the Bright Network Women in TEC event. You get more of an idea of the company by meeting the people face-to-face and can make more of an impression.
Also, research what they’re doing – Reply have so many different projects and fields, so I would recommend looking at their website and complementing this with a wider reading of current affairs.
Is there a day-to-day life at Reply?
It completely depends on what project you’re doing. Every day is different, and there’s always something that pops up like a meeting, a call, or working on the client side.
Finally, why consulting?
Before, I did work experience in marketing which I enjoyed, but then I researched a bit more about consulting. The reason I chose consulting was because you’re not just in one department and you have the opportunity to be a part of so many different projects and industries. Career-wise, you broaden your expertise massively and gain insight into a wide variety of things.
To find out more about Reply and view their opportunities, click here.