Ben Huang - Barclays & PwC
- Tell us your story and what you have gained from coaching?
Since I started studying at university, I made a lot of internship applications and aimed to gain work experience in the finance industry in the UK. However, I often found it difficult to pass the first-round telephone interviews and always received rejections during the early application stages. Coaching at MC has provided me with a lot of efficient methods to deal with online applications, including checking my CV and suggestions to improve my answers to competency questions. I have gained not only the professional skills to perform well in interviews from the coach but also encouragement and confidence to tackle any difficulties in the application process.
- What was your specific requirement or concern before you joined the MC career coaching programme?
I always got very nervous and stressed before and during interviews. I was not confident enough because I didn’t find the most efficient methods to prepare for interviews and was unsure whether I was heading in the right direction. I was hoping that MC could help me effectively solve this problem.
- How did the MC coach help you solve the problem? Was there a specific solution?
The MC coaches taught me how to do research on the companies I was going to interview with. They provided me with a lot of insights from their other candidates who had undergone similar interviews before. I had lots of practice with the coach and became more and more confident. I think it is the experience and encouragement from the coach that helped me solve my problems.
- What have you learned about yourself during this journey? How have you changed following the coaching sessions?
I have become a more confident person who is able to handle the challenges during the interviews. I am able to carry out independent research on the useful information about the companies I am applying for. I can think and react quickly and flexibly to the questions from the interviewers. Most importantly, the job application process has given me confidence to face other difficulties in life. I very much enjoy situations when I am under pressure because I believe that I can reach success if I work hard and work smartly. These are the most important lessons I have learned from MC.