Hear from an Investment20/20 Trainee at BNP Paribas Securities Services about her experience of the recruitment process as a person with autism
After studying philosophy and Japanese at Bristol, I become an Investment20/20 trainee at BNP Paribas Securities Services. The role offers the opportunity to enhance my understanding of project management methodologies, and a better understanding of the investment process.
As someone with autism, I’ve experienced many challenges when applying for jobs in the past. Generic online tests, opaque application processes, zero contact with employers until interview and no post-interview feedback are just some examples. They highlight the impersonal nature of many application processes, which don’t truly realise a candidate’s capacity to perform in a given role, nor how she/he might develop over time.
Isabella Mangan, Client Implementation Trainee, BNP Paribas Securities Services
In contrast, the application for my current role was very straightforward, thanks to BNP Paribas (BNPP) and Ambitious About Autism (AAA), providing a great way to showcase my skills. It was extremely clear, which lessened my anxiety of the unknown- often experienced by those with autism. I wrote a cover letter and CV with support from AAA. It is sometimes difficult for me to translate thoughts into words, so this was a great help. I received introductory emails from the interviewers, and interview questions, in advance. This allowed me to focus on the quality of my answers, rather than the pressures of an interview setting. I was asked to give a pre-prepared presentation on a topic of my choice. This was a great way to highlight the special interests that many with autism have, and was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate my presentation skills. Afterwards, I was given comprehensive feedback, which was both personal and constructive for my future development.
I am very much enjoying my role so far and, whilst I am only one particular representation of autism, my experience suggests that- with a little thought- any firm could make small changes to attract more neurodiverse candidates.
