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I remember the numerous applications I had bashed out during my penultimate year at university; the depressing lists of questions (all asking pretty much the same thing in ten different ways); the time it would take to find out the address details of where I had lived in the past 5 years and trying to remember the postcodes; the various dates I was awarded with each of my AS / A-Levels. I couldn’t believe I would actually have to go through the process…again, albeit this time in a subject I had no prior experience of.

The good news was that the format is very much the same for any entry level position whatever the profession. You need to say why you are interested in the firm / company you are applying for, why you are interested in that particular industry and demonstrate at least some understanding of what the role you are applying for may entail. This time for me however, it was the insurance industry. Researching for my interview was a really good way of forcing myself to learn more about insurance and the Lloyd’s market. It’s one of those things I had read about often in the FT but hadn’t come to terms with how it actually operated.

I guess that is the good thing about preparing for interviews. You not only re-learn more about yourself (the skills you have learned, the experience you have, what you have to offer your new employer) but gain a good insight into an industry or sector which you may have had little knowledge of before. Armed with various net-based research I completed and submitted my application forms. I had a week before the deadline. Phew. Good timing.

I was called up a few days later by a member of the company’s HR team and invited for that all important assessment centre - I couldn’t believe my luck! Over the next week I increased my knowledge of the insurance industry by reading about any recent developments, looking at any industry reports, and all importantly, perused the company’s annual accounts – this included that vital chairman’s statement which gives you a good idea of how the company is doing and where it aims to go in the future. I had picked up on the importance of the information contained in annual accounts during my stint in Financial Institutions and Markets – I was finally putting what I had learned to good personal use and it paid off.

The assessment centre started at the early time of 8.30 am. There were 9 of us in total for 1 place. I knew that the odds were stacked against me but having attended assessment centres in the past, whatever the outcome I recognised that the experience would teach me a lot.

The day commenced with a short presentation exercise followed by numerical and verbal reasoning tests, lunch, a face to face interview, and a written report exercise. It was exhausting but I really enjoyed interacting with the assessors and the other candidates. What has always been my interest is interacting with people so even if all I left with was that, it would still be worthwhile.

I found out a week later that I had not been successful. As with all interviews, it’s useful to ask for feedback, so I did. Apparently, despite a 5 year gap from carrying out any form of psychometric test I performed well on these (especially the numerical?!) and came across well at interview.

Where I didn’t perform so well was in the group exercise (apparently, having been used to conducting negotiations as a lawyer made me slightly too “assertive” during the exercise) and the written report (something which I found difficult at the time, especially being used to cutting and pasting my thoughts in advice / emails as a lawyer). I had been surprised at this but it gave me a new appreciation of my strengths and weaknesses. I would up my game the next time…

That’s a great idea to ask about feedback after an interview.  A bit of constructive criticism can be so helpful.