How I got into Big 4 Consulting from a Non-Target School as an International Student
In Episode 3 of Landed, I spoke to Khai Hoan Nguyen, who secured a place on the graduate scheme in Consulting at a Big 4 firm in London. Khai's journey was far from straightforward—he studied Media and Communications at a non-target university, couldn’t afford a graduate visa, and even had to return to Vietnam for a year during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, he managed to secure multiple job offers in both the UK and Vietnam.
How did he achieve this? Here's a breakdown of his approach and advice for others in similar situations.
1. Strategy to Secure a Sponsored Job After Graduation in the UK
Start building experience early. Get involved in societies, organisations, and competitions during your university years. This will help you explore different career paths and expand your network.
Surround yourself with driven and competitive people. Having friends from target universities helped Khai stay informed about graduate schemes and motivated to apply.
Set up coffee chats. Informational interviews with professionals can help you learn about career options and build meaningful connections.
Be clear about your goals. If your degree isn’t directly aligned with industries offering sponsored jobs in the UK, take proactive steps to enhance your CV. Khai decided to pursue Consulting after speaking to professionals and completed internships in Marketing, Customer Experience, and e-Commerce to build relevant experience.
Be willing to make sacrifices. Khai took on an unpaid internship after his first year at university, supporting himself by working an evening job. During his final year, he balanced his studies, part-time work, and full-time job applications.
2. Job Application Tips
Apply early. Many graduate schemes and roles have deadlines far in advance, so staying ahead is crucial.
Tailor your CV. Use a one-page CV styled professionally (Harvard-style for non-creative roles) and align it with the job description by emphasising relevant skills and experiences. This will help you pass applicant tracking systems.
Prepare concise STAR answers. For interviews, structure your responses around the Situation, Task, Action, and Result framework. Practice answering common questions, maintain eye contact, and ensure your setup is professional.
Learn from rejections. Use each rejection as an opportunity to refine your approach and improve future applications.
Personalise your outreach. When connecting with professionals, send personalised messages showing genuine interest in their career journey and the company.
3. Mental Health Tips
Focus on your own strengths. Avoid comparing yourself to others and instead concentrate on your personal growth.
Seek mentorship. A mentor can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and support during challenging times.
Reflect through journaling. Regularly reflecting on your journey can help you process experiences and set clear goals.
Avoid self-rejection. Apply for roles even if they seem beyond your reach. You may be more qualified than you think, and rejection is often just a step towards success.
Stay positive. Use daily affirmations or manifestation practices to maintain a confident mindset and remind yourself of your value.
