We recently caught up with Tanya about how they secured a Data Analytics internship with NatWest, what stood out to them about NatWest and their top tips for Bright Network members looking to follow in their footsteps.
What stood out to you about NatWest?
I really like the values that they hold. They really focus on sustainability which is something that’s really important to me. They focus on ensuring diversity in the workplace which I looked for when I was applying. They have lots of articles on their website about diversity, so I read about it there and everything I read online was indicating that this is true.
I’m Scottish and I thought it would be good to apply for a company that has such a strong base in Scotland. I’ll be interning in Edinburgh which will be great because it’s quite close to home.
They also focus on learning the skills that you need to succeed in that role. Many of the other finance internships I’ve looked at focus on working in some capacity so it will be great to be in an internship that helps me learn for future roles.
How did you make your application stand out?
By doing a lot of research beforehand. At the hire/review stage doing lots of research and trying to anticipate the type of questions that they might ask helps you prepare. This is important since you have such a short period of time when you’re actually answering the questions.
What part of the application process did you find most challenging?
The hire review stage. You’re only given 72 hours to send it in when you’re balancing other things like university and applications. The application process from start to finish was a few months which was quite long in comparison to other places.
How did Bright Network help you secure your internship?
The website was really useful! I used it to see all the relevant posting and when the applications are closing.
What are your tips for tackling tough interview questions?
Practice as much as you can! I did lots of practice careers interviews and meetings at university to make sure I felt fully confident going in so I could answer going in any question that they asked.
What top tip would you give to Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
Do as much research as you can! Try to look into the individual companies you’re applying to rather than trying to make stock answers for any question they might ask. This really helped me. When I was invited to the assessment centre, they mentioned specifically that they can tell when you’ve done the research.
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.
