Welcome to Bright Network's FAQs page. We've gathered our most asked questions, covering a range of topics from across the network and located them here, to make sure you can find out what you need.
What is Bright Network?
Can I be a Bright Network member?
How can Bright Network help me?
I am not sure what sector I want to have a career in?
How do I start and build my network?
How do I make an effective start on my career path?
What roles do you have advertised with an immediate start?
What are some key career skills I should work on?
Do you have any insight on applying to a particular company?
How do I improve my LinkedIn profile?
Where can I find the Bright Live webinar series?
How do I secure a visa as an international applicant?
How do I structure my cover letter?
Where can I do some practice tests?
How do I effectively prepare for an interview?
What upcoming events do Bright Network have?
Who are the top graduate employers?
How do I succeed at an assessment centre?
Can I be a Bright Network member?
No matter what stage of your career path, whether you're a current student, recent graduate or an international student, you're more than welcome to join the network. Go to our membership guidelines page here. This page discusses how we can support you as a member, the criteria itself, and some information about being a part of the network once you've joined.
How can Bright Network help me?
At Bright Network our main priority is to help you on your search for your dream job. Whether it be application advice, new exclusive roles advertised from our partner firms, or bespoke events providing top quality information. We want to help you. Take a look at our 'How We Can Help You' page. You'll read about our expertise in the careers field, our network of connections, getting you noticed by people who matter, and more here.
What can I do with my degree?
Understanding what to do with your degree can be a challenge to figure out, and you may be surprised at the options and avenues that are open to you, with many graduate opportunities not looking for specific degree backgrounds. To help you, we've put together an article for different degree disciplines that will give you a starting point. Check out what to do with your degree.
I am not sure what sector I want to have a career in?
It's very common for you to be unsure of what career you'd exactly like to puruse. That's why on our 'Career Path Guides' page, you'll find guides on a variety of employment sectors. Each guide highlights what that sector is all about. From the types of roles, what those roles do, and the aspects of that industry. They also highlight what you need, to be an employable candidate in that sector. Learn more here.
What is Commercial Awareness?
Commercial awareness refers to an applicant's knowledge of business, their business experiences and their understanding of the industry which they are applying to join. Follow the link here to head to our 'How to Improve your Commercial Awareness' page. Here, our Director of Membership Ben Triggs discusses Commercial Awareness, and why it is important.
How do I start and build my network?
Networking is a crucial aspect to anyones career these days. Having a large and well established network can be the primary building block for sourcing expert advice, and opening potential doors in the future. Check out our 'Networking Advice' page to help you get started with networking effectively. This page lays out networking and links to some of our previous networking events. We also recommend you check out our Bright Live page. Where there is also a fantastic webinar on networking. Learn more about networking on our networking page here.
How do I make an effective start on my career path?
Putting the best foot forward and understanding what that is. It's the first real challenge when applying to roles. What do I need to do first? is a common thought we all have. To help you make that effective start, go to our '10 Things to Help Kick Start Your Career' page. The page outlines ten top tips/techniques to help you get started on the right track to your desired career. Check out the top tips to start your career.
What roles do you have advertised with an immediate start?
Looking for a role that starts right now. Head to our 'Immediate Start' Jobs page to see whats available to you today. You can filter by employment sector, region, and employer on the left hand side of the page, so you can narrow that search down to the most ideal role for you. Follow the link here to see the roles on offer.
What are some key career skills I should work on?
Over the years, our constant research of information surrounding careers, through conversations with the top employers we work with, have established that skills are such an important part of a desirable candidates profile. Knowing what those skills are, and how to build on them effectively can be challenge. So we compiled our 'Key Career Skills' page. Where you'll find some top tips on how to build soft skills, networking, managing stress, how to be a better public speaker, and more great career skills you can use when applying to your desired career. Learn more about career skills.
Do you have any insight on applying to a particular company?
Looking to apply to a specific company that's caught your eye? Head on over to our 'Success Stories' page. Here former members of the network share their stories on how they secured a particular role at a particular firm. You can filter by sector and employer on the left hand side. If you are thinking of applying to a certain firm. See if a former member has secured a role there previously. Learn from their story what they did well, and apply it to your own application. Also be sure to check out that firms particular page on our site. As there may be some useful advice articles the firm has on there, which can be of great help. Check out the stories here.
How do I improve my LinkedIn profile?
LinkedIn may be the most popular and established social platform for the working world of today. With connections leading to job roles, or just meeting new people/mentors to find and bounce information off, making LinkedIn work for you is always going to be a benefit. To help improve your LinkedIn, go to our 'Five Essentials to Creating a Great LinkedIn' page. This useful guide gives you a great idea of how to make your LinkedIn stand out and work for you. Also be sure to check out our LinkedIn Surgery webinar on our Bright Live page as well. For more useful tips on how to use LinkedIn effectively follow the link here.
Where can I find the Bright Live webinar series?
Whether your just starting an application, unsure of how to give a perfect presentation, or just want to get an idea of how virtual assessment centres are run. On our 'Bright Live' page, you can watch our previous webinars from our Bright Live Series, which ran over the last few months. The webinars are on a variety of topics from networking, building commercial awareness, assessment centres and more. Many of the webinars also include some expert advice from some guest speakers. Look at the variety of webinars here.
How do I secure a visa as an international applicant?
Are you an international candidate looking to secure a role in the UK, but are unsure of how to sort a VISA or what the process is? Head to our 'Your Guide to Graduate Visa Sponsorship for International Students' page. Where you can find out information about types of visas. A list on the UK Government website outlining which firms have offered visas in the last 5 years (The list which is located on the sponsorship guide page, as a link to the UK GOV website); and application tips for those needing a visa upon securing a role. Check the page out here.
What should a CV look like?
The CV is the first key aspect of an application to get right; and it can be hard to get an idea of how to start writing one or what it should really look like on the page. As a helping hand go to our 'How to Write a CV' page here. It highlights some CV templates to follow, getting an idea of an ideal layout, and what sections to include. On the right hand side of the page you can head to our '7 Top Tips to Create your Perfect CV' page as well, which covers what the content of each section should be. For added guidance take a look at our CV academy module here.
How do I structure my cover letter?
A cover letter is the perfect chance to consolidate both your interest in the firm and role, and your ability in one place. A good cover letter can really stand out to a recruiter when they're looking for that ideal candidate. For an idea of how a cover letter should look, and what its content should be, head to our graduate cover letter page. You'll see the three key sections a cover letter needs, the ideal strucure, and what each section's content should be.
Where can I do some practice tests?
The testing stage of any role can be a difficult hurdle. Many applicants are hesitant about tests, and many are unsure what differences there are between the types of tests. So on our 'Academy' page you can scroll down and see our Psychometric Tests module, and do some practice tests. There are numerical reasoning tests, abstract tests and more you can check out here. Also do check out our graduate assessment test for some added guidance on what types of tests there are, and how to effectively prepare for each of them.
How do I effectively prepare for an interview?
The interview is usually one of the final stages of your application process; and its the one where the employers finally get to hear you speak about yourself in your own words. It can be hard to know how to come across in an interview, and what to prepare since you do not necessarily know any of the questions that will be asked. To help walk you through an interview, click the link here to go to our 'Acing an Interview' Academy module. Here Lewis Collier, our Head of Candidate Screening discusses interviews in depth. From types of interview questions, how to approach compentency questions and more. Be sure to also check out our, Face to Face and Video/Telephone Interview tips pages, to understand the differences in these types of interviews, how to prepare for them individually, and for some useful techniques to keep in mind to come across in the best light.
What upcoming events do Bright Network have?
At Bright Network we host a variety of events for our membership. Whether that be skills based events, centred around areas like interviews, CVs and applications. Or bespoke sector/employer led events, discussing how to effectively apply to that particualr indsutry/firm. You can find all our upcoming events here, and book your place today.
Who are the top graduate employers?
Having an idea of who you want to work with can be difficult. You may have an idea of what sector you wish to work in, but not necessarily on what firms are available to apply to within that industry. To give you an idea of the firms you can look to work for, check out our 'Top graduate employers' page here. You can filter by employment sector on the left hand side; and each firm has its own page. Dedicated to discussing who they are, and any current roles on offer.
How do I succeed at an assessment centre?
An assessment centre is usually one of the final stages of an application, but still can be difficult to navigate. You may have already attended a few, or are going to be heading for your first one. That's why we've got some great resources on how to understand and succeed at an assessment centre, here on our site. Check out our assessment centre advice page here, where we cover a range of topics from, what you might expect to feeling confident when attending. We also have a very informative academy module on assessment centres here as well. The videos take you through the style of tasks you may face, and how to effectively prepare for them.
If you're looking for more information, our membership services team is on hand to help - give us a call on 020 3011 1612.
Can I use Bright Network as s reference?
We welcome you to highlight attendance at our events and virtual experiences such as Internship Experience UK on your CV - it’s a great way to show potential employers that you’re interested and a proactive candidate. However we aren't able to provide personal references for Bright Network members.