We recently caught up with Saskia about how she secured a role with Capital One, her top tips for Bright Network members going through the application process, and how she navigates tough interview questions.
What stood out to you about the firm you secured your role with?
Capital One stood out as a graduate employer as the role was designed for students from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just exclusively Computer Science graduates. As a Mathematics graduate, it was encouraging to know that Capital One would support me in my technical development as well as see value in the skills I had learnt on my degree. Capital One is also a leader in the credit sector which provides an exciting environment to learn and develop in.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
Before the interview, I made sure to stay up to date with the current stories in the industry and in the general news, utilising sources such as the BBC, Financial Times and news podcasts such as Today in Focus by The Guardian. It is also important to be knowledgeable about trends within the technology industry and which technologies specifically interest and excite you.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
My top tip is to reach out to existing employees at the companies you are interested in. This is a brilliant way to understand more about the company culture, the projects that are currently in development and ask any questions that you may have about working at the company. It is also a fantastic way to meet new people within the industry, and you may be working with them soon!
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
During my time at university, I attended a number of Bright Network events including Women in TEC (Technology, Engineering and Consulting) and How to get into Banking. These were fantastic opportunities to learn more about the industries I was interested in, meet with like-minded peers and network with prospective employers to understand their available schemes. I would highly recommend all Bright Network members make the most of these events.
What’s been the toughest interview question you've faced and how did you tackle it?
I often find the question “describe a time when you overcame a challenge or obstacle” to be quite difficult as you want to approach the answer with sensitivity and understanding, and not portray anger or frustration at the situation. Always make sure that you explain how you approached the situation and what steps you took to make sure that you could overcome the challenge with confidence and empathy, making use of the STAR answer technique.
Did you use Bright Network Academy in your career search and if so, how did it help you?
Bright Network’s internship and job search features were incredibly helpful as a university student as it centralises the application process to one portal and allows you to choose a number of filters such as Sector, Role etc. This saves a lot of time when trying to find graduate employers, and the tracker is useful to see your progress with multiple applications.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Make the most of resources such as networking events and online learning
- Research the role and the company thoroughly before interviews
- Reach out to employees at companies you are interested in - no one knows the role and the company better than them!
