Saints Skills Spotlight Award – Soumya Arora
In this post, Soumya Arora shares her experience of the Saints Skills Spotlight Award which she undertook last year. Soumya has recently completed her MSc in Human Computer Interaction.
What made you want to complete the Award?
I decided to complete the Saints Skills Spotlight Award because I wanted to improve my ability to effectively communicate my skills and experiences to potential employers. As a student, I know how crucial it is to be able to market myself well during the job application process. The Spotlight Award provides valuable practice through realistic recruitment activities like submitting a targeted CV and cover letter, as well as a video interview. I saw it as a great opportunity to get constructive feedback on how to better highlight my qualifications.
How did you find the application process for the Award and what did you learn from it?
The application process itself was very insightful. Having to tailor my CV and cover letter for a specific job forced me to deeply analyze the key requirements and qualifications the employer was seeking. It made me think critically about how to draw clear connections between my background and what the role entailed. The video and in-person interview further challenged me to concisely and compellingly articulate why I would be a strong fit.
Tell us how you found the employer led assessment centre
The Q2Solutions assessment center was certainly a rewarding experience that allowed me to get a true glimpse into the corporate recruitment process. Having to engage in a case study group discussion under the observation of actual employers made it feel very authentic and high-stakes. It pushed me to demonstrate skills like teamwork, analytical thinking, and presenting ideas persuasively in a high-pressure environment. The constructive feedback from professionals on both interview and group discussion was invaluable for identifying areas of strength as well as improvement. It was an intensive but meaningful learning opportunity.
Any words of advice for fellow peers who are considering or unsure about the Award?
I would absolutely encourage any of my peers to seriously consider participating in the Saints Skills Spotlight Award. The process demands diligent preparation and can feel daunting at times. However, it provides such a unique and holistic opportunity to develop skills that are crucial for career success. Getting constructive criticism on your application materials and interview performance from professionals is difficult to come by otherwise. The ability to then put those learnings into practice through activities like the assessment center is also immensely valuable. Ultimately, completing the Award makes you a much more polished, confident, and compelling candidate for whatever future path you decide to pursue.
Fancy putting your skills to the test?
Sign up for this semester’s Saints Skills Spotlight Award on CareerConnect Pathways.
Semester 1 deadline: Sunday 20 October at 23:59.
