My Audit and Assurance placement at Deloitte - Top tips for applying

This is a guest post from Year in Business BSc Management with Accounting student, Amal Aitbenmoussa, who is currently undertaking an Audit and Assurance placement at Deloitte and offers her tips for students interested in applying for professional placement roles.

Hey Everyone! My name is Amal Aitbenmoussa and I started working for Deloitte in Audit and Assurance this September. I’m here to share some top tips for anyone looking to secure a placement at the big 4 or any professional services firm. Whether you’re interested in consulting, finance, accounting, or any other professional role, these tips and tricks will help you stand out in your applications!

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Typical Recruitment Process

Most firms follow a structured application process that may include:

• Online Application & CV Screening
• Aptitude Tests (such as numerical and verbal reasoning)
• Digital Interviews (combining competency and scenario questions)
• Assessment Centre (including group exercises, case studies, and a final interview)

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Tips for Acing the Application Process

1. Build an Impressive CV: Make It Stand Out!
• Clean Structure: Bold your name, use clear headings, and separate sections (e.g., Education, Experience, Skills).
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Focus on skills essential for the role, like Excel proficiency, analytical thinking, teamwork, etc.
• Quantify Achievements: Numbers add impact—use them to showcase accomplishments (e.g., “boosted customer satisfaction by 15%”).
• Include Relevant Courses: Mention key modules (e.g., Financial Reporting, Business Analytics) to show your academic preparation                                                                             
2. Write a Strong Cover Letter
• Why the Company?: Mention specific projects, values, or initiatives that inspire you.
• Why the Role?: Refer to keywords from the job description and align them with your skills.
• Why You?: Share an example of relevant experience that highlights your fit.
• Bonus: Add a LinkedIn link in the header to make your profile easily accessible.                         
3. Be Authentic
• Don’t try to be someone you’re not—most companies value genuine, unique perspectives.
• Be confident in your strengths and open about areas you’re working to improve.                           
4. Prepare for Aptitude Tests
• Practice common tests like numerical and verbal reasoning; resources like SHL or JobTestPrep can help.
• Familiarise yourself with the test format to boost your speed and accuracy.                                    
5. Master the Assessment Centre
• Group Exercise: Stay collaborative; listen, contribute, and consider taking a role like “timekeeper” if you’re nervous.
• Case Study: Focus on analysing information, proposing solutions, and clear communication.
• Interview: Reflect on experiences that demonstrate key skills. Prepare a few insightful questions to ask the interviewer.                                                                                                        
6. Build Relevant Experience & Network like a PRO
• Virtual Work Simulations: Forage and similar platforms offer free simulations that give you hands-on experience (I found this really useful).
• Attend Networking Events: Look for virtual events, insight days, and recruitment fairs on sites like TargetJobs or LinkedIn.                                                                                                      
7. Stay Organised
• Use a Calendar: Mark interview dates, deadlines, and set reminders to check your emails regularly.
• Check Spam: Application emails sometimes go to spam—don’t miss important updates!

 BONUS TIP: Always have a couple of questions that you would like to ask after your interview. This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about the company/organisation, and it shows the interviewer your interest in finding out more!

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Final Thoughts

Applying to the big 4 can be intense and seem a bit daunting, but staying prepared, organised, and authentic will make the process smoother.

 Remember, showing up as your true self is the best way to stand out. BEST OF LUCK—and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the application process on Linkden!

 www.linkedin.com/in/amal-aitbenmoussa-459662252

Enterprise Mobility placement experiences

A number of recent Royal Holloway students have undertaken successful placements with Enterpise Mobility. Some students like Annabelle Marshall have undertaken placements in Enterprise’s European HQ which is located just down the road from Royal Holloway’s Egham campus. Annabelle has undertaken a 12 month marketing placement. Others including Muhammad and Aida have been located in Enterprise branches around the country undertaking broad based Management trainee placements, where they develop business skills in Customer Service, Sales, Operations and Management. A further Year in Business student, Akshita Kakkar, has been appointment as Enterprise Campus Ambassador for 2024/25.

3 of our YIB students have shared recent updates on Linkedin following their placement years and these give a flavour of the sorts of roles they have undertaken. Annabelle is studying BSc Management with Marketing and talks about her role as a Media and Sponsorship intern.

“I've enjoyed working on Enterprise’s partnership with the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League as well as parts of their media campaigns. It's been such an invaluable and rewarding experience allowing me to take lots away for the future. I'm looking forward to leveraging these experiences in my future endeavours and continuing to learn and grow in the dynamic world of marketing.

 Here are some of my highlights from the year:
🌟 Getting to know and working with the amazing teams at FUSE, FootballCo and UM.

🌟 Seeing the new Enterprise Mobility brand being unveiled at the European Headquarters.

🌟 Attending the Brighton 'All Roads Lead to Thursday' shoot and watching the whole campaign go live.

🌟 Working on and watching Cesc Fabregas play in Enterprise's Rent-a-Player activation in London.

🌟 Attending MADFest and listening to all the inspirational speakers from a wide range of backgrounds.

🌟 Running two internal comms competitions for European employees allowing those that won to win signed merchandise and matchday tickets.”

2 of our Year in Business students talk about their Branch based roles as Management trainee placement students. For these roles a full driving licence is required.

 Muhammad Salal Shah has undertaken a Sales management role for Enterprise Holdings working for the Exotic Collection of Cars.

 Muhammad says “As a student, my time at Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise Rent A Car not only enhanced my skills in customer service and brand management but also provided valuable networking opportunities. These experiences have not only enriched my academic journey but also set a strong foundation for my future career endeavours. My highlights include:

🌟 Achieving a 95% this month and a consistent 93% on a three month break up ESQi (service score) underscores my dedication to ensuring every client receives exceptional service and leaves satisfied. It's about going above and beyond to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.

🚗 Managing 155 successful upgrades within a tight timeframe of three months showcases my ability to handle high volumes while maintaining quality. Each upgrade represents a tailored solution that enhances the customer experience and streams to new avenues for revenue and growth.

📈 Driving a 24% growth in IPC (Income Per Car) from FY23 demonstrates my focus on improving key performance metrics. By identifying areas for growth and implementing effective strategies, I contributed to the growth.

👤 Building strong customer connections through personalized experiences, that fosters trust and loyalty. It shows that we value each customer as an individual and are committed to providing them with a memorable experience.

🏎 Developing a deep understanding of luxury brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari involves more than just knowing their features. It's about understanding their history, values, and what sets them apart, enabling me to better serve customers who appreciate luxury and refinement.

Out of our total fleet of 199 exotic cars, including brands such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Aston Martin. We currently have 170 cars on rent which represents an outstanding 86% utilisation rate as a business. This achievement is a result of our team's dedication and hard work. I am particularly proud to have successfully upgraded 38 deals this month, contributing to our overall success.

A second YIB Aida Dreghiciu talks about her Management trainee role at the Heathrow branch of Enterprise mobility and how she contributed to a record breaking month of results for the overall branch. Aida says:

 “March has come to close and at Heathrow Enterprise we had a record breaking month. For the first time we hit our long term goal of 90% TSQI meaning 90% of customers left completely satisfied.

It was also a great month for me personally as I won the name mentions competition for Week 1, 4 and for the overall month ! To top off the Month I was Awarded the Regan award by my Manager for my efforts in Sales, Service and Personal development ⭐️⭐️⭐️”

Year in Business student, Akshita Kakkar, undertook her business placement in Enterprise's Aldershot office. Following on from a very successful placement, Akshita was selected as Campus Brand Ambassador for 2024/25 and has been attending multiple events at Royal Holloway including the Careers and Placement Fair, the Year in Business networking event and information lectures. She has also been appointed a Year in Business mentor. Akshita is happy to be contacted by any Royal Holloway students wanting to find out more about working at and applying for roles at Enterprise Mobility.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshita-kakkar-8635261b3/ 

For more details of Enterprise internships look at the company website: Internship Jobs | Careers at Enterprise Mobility

 

Ben Challis' Project management placement at CooperVision

A placement year in Project management? I know this isn't for everyone and it is not the status quo but my placement year in project management has been an exceptional experience which I would highly recommend to anyone looking to become a project manager or develop their organisation and time management skills. 

After having my interest in project management sparked during modules in second year, I decided this was an area that, although I was initially unfamiliar with, I wanted to explore further. Fast forward almost two year and I have just completed my Global commercial PMO (Project Management Office) placement year at CooperVision. So let me take you through what this role involves: 

Managing project 

Yes, it doesn't take a genius to work out a placement in project management involves... Managing projects but what does this actually mean? 

 During my year I worked on a variety of projects with varying scale and scope, but all involved the implementation of IT systems to help our seller become more effective at selling contact lenses. Working on multiple different projects enabled me to experience every stage of the project Lifecyle and how each project manager is flexible to make adjustment in order to remain within the budget and time restraints. 

Working in a global team 

Due to the global nature of CooperVision this placement provided me with the opportunity to work with colleagues from every corner of the world. This enlightened me to different ways of working and best practise I would have otherwise never thought of. I have made connects across the globe and look forward to seeing where these may take me in the future. 

 Other areas of involvement 

Although my primary role was as a project manager an area CooperVision excel at is getting their interns involved in all areas of the business. 

For me this included: 

• Getting involved with the Pride ERG (Employee resource group) - A highlight being marching at Southampton pride. 

• Taking part in an intern project where we conducted a full review of the current fertility treatment policy.

 • An active involvement in the organisation and planning of team building days. 

• Organisation of charity week where our team ran carnival style games. 

As I hope I have been able to get across I believe a placement year in project management is an excellent option which can lead to a fulfilling career. I also cannot speak more highly of my experience working at CooperVision so even if project management isn't for you each year CooperVision hire lots of interns in all different areas of the business their options are worth exploring. 

 If anyone reading this has any questions about CooperVision or placement years in project management, please feel free to connect and message me on LinkedIn and I would be more than happy to help.

Inspiring videos from former YIB students

 We are delighted that 2 of our recent YIB students have shared videos talking about their placement experience. These are inspiring for younger year students who are setting out on their journey to secure a prize placement position.

Maria Micu has just graduated from Royal Holloway with a degree in BSc Management with Human Resources and since Graduation has started in HR with the firm Interpath Advisory. During her time at Royal Holloway Maria undertook a placement year in the Recruitment sector with Hays. Maria has been a very active supporter of Year in Business, as a Student Ambassador at Open Days and Applicant visit Days and as a YIB Mentor supporting 2nd years seeking their own placement positions.

In the video Maria talks about the role she undertook on placement at Hays working with the financial markets department and the fact that she was taken seriously, given responsibility and appreciated for what she accomplished. She talks of the support available to students from Royal Holloway's business department when they are seeking their placement and when out on placement. Listen to more of what Maria says about her placement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzTt_PWw-dY

Madeleine Stonehouse is studying BSc Management with Marketing at Royal Holloway and undertook a marketing placement year at Ecovis. As a marketing assistant she has developed her skills in content creation, social media marketing and website optimisation, building on the skills she had learnt as part of her university degree through practical experience in the workplace.

Maddy talks about one benefit of working in a smaller company being that she gets to regularly talk to members of the entire firm, everyone from Partners to Managers to Associates and to other members of the business support team meaning that every day is different.  Listen more to what Maddy says about her placement: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7227251827266719746

For more video profiles of our Year in Business students have a look at our Year in Business blog: 

https://yibprofile.blogspot.com/

Graduation 2024 - Royal Holloway Year in Business students

It was a pleasure to support the Graduation Ceremonies for the Business and Management students on Tuesday 23^rd July and to speak to Year in Business students about their experiences at University and plans for the future. The Graduation ceremony took place within a magnificent graduation marquee on the lawns of Royal Holloway overlooking the iconic Founder’s Building. A long line of Year in Business students processed in front of The Provost and Pro Vice Chancellor, Dean of the School of Business, Academic staff, friends and family to collect their certificates and then listen to a number of speeches including that by the Student Orator. This year YIB Harrison Clinton delivered an inspiring speech, drawn on his own experience at University and during his placement year.

Special mention to Year in Business student Tanya Steward has just been awarded two prizes at Graduation : the prestigious Martin Holloway prize and the award for best overall Management student at Royal Holloway. Tanya completed a very successful placement year within the Licencing department of The Walt Disney Company in 2022/23. In her final year she has been a YIB Mentor and continued working part time with The Walt Disney Company and has recently taken up a full time role with the company.

Matthew Lappin received an award for the best finalist in Accounting and Finance. Matthew completed a successful placement at RSM and will be returning to the company as a Graduate in the Autumn

We are so proud of the Year in Business Graduates and all they have achieved during the last 4 years. It can be very challenging for students to secure a placement and they have to show true resilience during the application process. Being out on placement can also throw up challenges for some and we are pleased to be able to offer support when required. We are delighted that many YIBs in their final year return and undertake roles as YIB Mentors and get involved in our workshops/ events to helpt and inspire the younger year students applying for their own placements. 

Looking to the future, some Graduates are undertaking further study while others are returning to the companies where they undertook their placement year. These companies include Generation Media, Menzies LLP, PwC, RSM and The Walt Disney Co. A number of other YIBs have used their placement experience to help them secure graduate roles with different companies including Alvarez & Marsal, Aston Martin, Azets, Data Select, Dyanmo, Enzo Tech, Forest Group, ING ARENA, Interpath Advisory, RSM, and Softcat.

Congratulations to all and I am sorry if I was not able to catch up with you individually after the Ceremony.  Do keep in touch with us in the Year in Business team – your stories of where your placements have led you are inspiring to the younger year YIBs!

Management Undergraduate of the Year Award 2024: Kendaa Cameron-Chavannes

This is a guest post from Royal Holloway Management Year in Business student, Kendaa Cameron- Chavannes who has just won the finals of the Target Jobs Management Undergraduate of the Year Award sponsored by Enterprise Mobility. At Royal Holloway we are so proud of Kendaa and what she has achieved. While former Royal Holloway placement students have reached the finals, none have as yet won overall. This is an incredible achievement for Kendaa and we are grateful for her for writing this blog article about her experience. 

Kendaa has grasped every opportunity available to build her experience while at University, whether attending company insight weeks, Bright Network events, joining Mentoring schemes or applying for placements. Kendaa will be joining the Walt Disney company for a marketing placement this summer. We believe her win of the Management Undergraduate of the Year Award is thoroughly deserved!

Kendaa writes:

 After a competitive series of psychometric tests, interviews and assessment centres, being selected out of 5206 applicants, arriving at The Pelligon (Canary Wharf) for the final was a surreal moment filled with anxiety but excitement. It was great to meet all the other finalists from the 12 award categories (especially fellow Royal Holloway undergraduate Tala Clark), network with industry specialists and gain insight into the motivations of the other finalists. 

 I was promptly met with a champagne/prosecco reception where I was able to catch-up with my peers from my Enterprise assessment centre, gain an understanding of the application processes for other award partners (such as Rolls Royce, Sky Scanner, CBRE, Sky, BNY Mellon etc) and soak in the atmosphere. It was so rewarding being surrounded by 120 of the UK’s most inspiring undergraduates. 

After the drink’s reception, it was time for lunch, where we had a set menu of starters, mains and desserts. I had the fantastic opportunity to be sat with many senior partners of Enterprise and gain independent insights into the facets of a global firm. The transition from limited industry experience (at the end of first year) to being a finalist (in my second year), sat with executives, senior managers and directors was a key reflection throughout the duration of the awards. 

 Shortly after dessert, the awards began, and my nerves were at an all time high. It was phenomenal seeing all the other finalists presented on the big screen and receiving recognition for their hard work. After the Female Undergraduate of the Year was awarded, it was time for the Management Undergraduate of the Year to be introduced by Sue Perkins. Caroline Howarth (Enterprise’s Corporate Business Manager and Finance Director) announced the shortlist and the winner. After being announced winner and seeing my name up on the screen, I was in complete shock. Realising that I had to move from my seat, I quickly made my way up to the stage to collect the award. 

 I am truly honoured to be selected as this year’s Management Undergraduate of the Year and represent the School of Business at Royal Holloway- who have shown the upmost support at every step of the way. 

Post awards, Rolls Royce, Sky Scanner and Enterprise hosted a celebration at The Alchemist which was filled with laughter. 

 Even though the win has only just sunk in, I am so grateful to showcase my skills, network with experienced specialists and be surrounded by inspiring peers. I would highly recommend my peers to apply next year because you never know where challenging yourself outside of your comfort scope leads to.

Fenella's HR placement at ADP

This is a guest post from Royal Holloway student Fenella Jones on the BSc Management with Human Resources pathway, who is currently undertaking an HR placement at ADP.  Staines upon Thames - based ADP is a global company which offers industry-leading online payroll services & HR software and solutions tailored to individual clients that they work with. It is so pleasing to hear how much Fenella is benefitting from her placement year experience.

"Taking the role of HR Intern at ADP has been the best decision I have made as part of my University degree yet. 

 It was quite daunting at first, starting a placement at a global company. But I quickly became settled in all thanks to the amazing team I work with. They have always been happy to answer any of my questions or run me through a process. 

 I have been able to experience all avenues of HR as well as other areas of the business through my role. The role can be so vast, but also has core tasks that are carried out regularly. 

 I've been able to work on multiple projects focusing on various areas of HR and working with different people from the team or independently. For example, I updated our Welcome Centre which provides new starters with useful information before joining, such as, details about their office location, a first day checklist, a UK benefits overview and more. It really motivates me to know my work is contributing to the business and associates' experience.

 I am also responsible for certain admin tasks, such as responding to reference requests, writing and issuing various letters, checking car allowance documents etc. 

 My role has also covered data analysis, system testing and some Excel work. But don't panic, I am no excel expert myself and there is always someone to help!

 As for the office environment, I never knew I could enjoy office life so much. There's often a fun activity taking place in the office you can take part in. Over the past 7 months I've attended a Bingo session at the office (and won 😊), enjoyed pancakes on Pancake Day, organised and attended the Global HR Summit for the Staines team and more. 

 I've really enjoyed the past 7 months with ADP and have learnt so much not only about HR but also about myself. I cannot recommend this placement, the company and team enough. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the role, company, or placement life so feel free to get in contact 🙂."