We recently caught up with Krisha about how she secured a technology graduate role with Fidelity International, her top tips for the application process and how Bright Network helped her secure the role.
What stood out to you about the firm you secured a role with?
Fidelity International is a very supportive organisation and genuinely wants their employees to achieve personal growth. During my industrial placement at the firm, they gave me the opportunity to complete multiple courses and qualifications, including the Investment Operations Certification. I loved how senior managers in the company were very receptive to ideas that I had and the opportunities it would bring, and it really encouraged me to come back as a graduate. Fidelity wanted us to feel proud to work for them!
How did you make your application stand out?
When it comes to applications, make sure to highlight all the work experience you have had (volunteering, as well). It shows the employer that you can adapt to multiple roles and have gained skills from a variety of jobs. I also tried my best to highlight the value of the community and environmental aspects of the work they do and why it was so important to me to work in a firm that takes that into consideration.
What part of the application process did you find the most challenging?
What I found most challenging was the video and phone interviews. With the Situational Judgement Test, it is relatively easier to answer as it is mostly just placing you in different situations to see if you are a good fit. It was made easier by Fidelity wanting us to be confident when doing the interviews.
Video and phone interviews, however, are difficult because it can be quite hard to speak to people and understand their engagement without being physically present. There are lots of practice materials online with tips on how to tackle these types of interviews which were extremely useful for me during the application process.
Want to prepare for a video interview? Complete our Video interview practice assessment.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
Bright Network provides a multitude of resources where you can read tips on interviews and the different types of tests that you could come across during the application process. The website provides lots of information on the firms you can apply to and keep track of any deadlines. Internship Experience UK was also a really great opportunity provided by Bright Network to gain an insight of different industries and allows you to learn about different roles you may be considering.
Did you get any feedback in the past that helped you with your application?
Feedback that I have received in the past that really helped me with my application was to believe in myself and be confident. I struggled with believing that my previous experience and achievements were as good as they were, and had a habit of playing them down. I also made sure to ask for feedback when I was unsuccessful in certain applications, which allowed me to practice and structure my answers better.
What are your top tips for tackling tough interview questions?
My number one tip for tackling interview questions is be yourself! As cliche as it sounds, it's important to understand that interviewers don't expect you to know everything and answer all their questions perfectly. Think about what you're saying and practise how you would structure your answers beforehand.
I always made sure to do tons of research on the firm and come up with any questions they could ask with pre-structured answers. This gives you confidence when going into an interview; also, make sure to ask questions at the end of your interview.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Do your research and stay organised. When applying for graduate schemes or placements, make sure to curate your CV and cover letter around the job and company you're applying to.
- During your interview, make sure to ask lots of questions about the role and the business to make sure the company's values align with your own and to express enthusiasm about the job.
- Don't be afraid to reach out to current employees at the company you want to apply to; this allows you to really understand the company's culture and their personal day-to-day experience.
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.
