John is a Financial Economics graduate from the University of Exeter. He secured an Analyst role at CIL Management Consultants through Bright Network. 
First, please tell us about yourself.
"I was raised across three different countries: England, Uruguay, and Argentina and I’ve always been very interested in business and entrepreneurship.
When selecting a career path I wanted to be in a position that exposed me to a wide variety of industries, business problems, people, and ways of thinking.
Management consulting really suited me in that way. I hope to learn and grow a lot in the upcoming years!”
What motivated you to apply for the role?
“I grew up in the South-West of England. CIL's Frome office presented a fantastic opportunity to have a London style job while living just 10 minutes from where I grew up. It's very rare to have such a high-level job in the middle of the countryside so I have taken full advantage of it!”
What was the application process like?
“The application process was quick but extensive. There were four total rounds starting with an online application which was then followed by three rounds of interviews.
The entire process took about four weeks. As a management consulting firm, CIL employed consulting style interviews which follow a unique and rigid structure.
Preparing for these was a surprising challenge but ultimately it was very rewarding to prepare and execute these.”
How did you prepare for these?
“Resources like YouTube are your best friend when preparing for interviews. Personally, I tried to maximise my learning in the given timeframe available to me.
Also having family members or friends give you mock interviews is the best way to learn. It is strange and nerve-inducing at first, but it’s the best way to replicate the interview environment, so I would heavily recommend it as a preparation strategy!”
How did Bright Network help you secure your role?
“I found the role advertised on Bright Network and also applied on the platform.”
What have you learned from going through the process?
“What I really learned through the interview process is that ultimately, those interviewing you are not just looking to evaluate your abilities and credentials, they are also trying to see if you'd be a nice individual to work with.
Just being pleasant and enjoyable to talk with can get you very far so don't omit that during preparation.”
What are your tips for people to follow in your footsteps?
“I'd advise people to evaluate how much preparation they're willing to put in for every interview. Going above and beyond in preparation can nullify anxiety and give you a competitive advantage. Preparation is key!”
Tell us about the future. What’s next?
“I'm really looking forward to learn a lot from the people around me and the business I work with!”
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