BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

NETWORKING, REFERRALS AND CONTACTS

Goldman Sachs
Google
White & Case
Macquarie
Credit Suisse
Deloitte
PWC
KPMG
Ernst & Young

Underdog Mentoring may be able to put you in touch with contacts at the companies above

INTERVIEW PREP

Internships & work experience
Numerical testing advice
Competency advice
CV advice

Many employers have formal recruitment mechanisms, but we can advise on how to excel in their selection processes

OPPORTUNITY MAPPING

Opportunity to discuss your career plans with a neutral party
Discuss employer / role reputations frankly
Understand the connections between industries, employers, and roles
Understanding specialisms and what it means for future prospects
What is currently hot / not

Many of our mentees find it useful to just discuss their plans and get an experienced, independent perspective

ADVICE

1 GET YOUR CV READY

Take the time to update for your most recent role or education
Take advice on format and content; often recruiters will give free advice. Concise (1-2 pages) and relevant is best
Tailor – what experience is relevant to a specific employer or role?

2 REACH OUT TO QUALITY RECRUITERS

Get in touch with potential employers with your CV and get a temperature check for your preferred role – be prepared to pivot if the role is not available/ suitable
Be conscious of incentive, recruiters have an objective to fill roles with the easiest candidate, so you still need to push your case
Not all recruiters are created equal, referrals often a good way to ensure integrity

3 SEEK INTERNSHIPS AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Increasingly common route to full time role
Even if you don’t get an internship at your ideal employer, an internship in a similar field is helpful e.g. accountancy for banking, or just work shadowing is valuable for your CV / networking
Attend the employer events at universities to understand the format e.g. online testing; so you can prepare
Really try to understand the role, it will have a significant influence on your final opportunities

4 SMART NETWORKING – IT’S A TWO WAY PROCESS

Reconnect with your network over coffee to check for referrals
Use Linkedin to find second connections in your preferred role / employer that you could get an introduction to
Easier to connect with someone when you aren’t directly asking for something – think about what you can offer or share when networking, no matter how small e.g. views / news / analysis / tips

5 CONSIDER PRO BONO / ENTREPRENEURSHIP / SELF-STUDY IN BETWEEN ROLES

Volunteering with non-profits is an excellent way of giving back to the community and building a broader skillset
Entrepreneurship is well regarded, even simply building a minimum viable product is valuable experience for interviews
Self-study is easier than ever – Udemy, EdX, and other offer low cost or free online education to build / broaden your skills