How I got into Big 4 Consulting from a Non-Target School as an International Student | Landed Ep 3

Meet Khai - our guest on Episode 3 of Landed, a show about finding jobs and sponsorships and navigating life in the UK!
Growing up in a small city in the southwest of Vietnam, Khai always dreamed of studying abroad, even though it seemed out of reach due to financial constraints.
With the support of his extended family, Khai eventually came to London to study Digital Communication and Media at a university that fit within his budget. However, others doubted him from the start.
A peer once said, “You’re from a low-ranking university; don’t even try.” Already feeling the weight of studying at a less prestigious school, these words fueled Khai’s insecurities and sense of being behind his peers.
Navigating university life during the pandemic added another layer of difficulty.
With classes disrupted and opportunities limited, Khai returned to Vietnam, taking a gap year to gain valuable work experience and continue preparing for job applications.
In his final year in the UK, he juggled studies, part-time jobs, and relentless applications to carve out a path forward.
Despite these challenges, Khai worked hard to create favorable conditions for himself. He built a strong network, sought guidance from mentors, and meticulously planned his career steps.
Refusing to rely on the expensive graduate visa, he set clear goals to secure a sponsored job immediately after graduating.
His perseverance paid off: Khai received two job offers in the UK, including one from a Big 4 firm, as well as an offer in Vietnam.
Now he’s a technology consultant in London, building a proud career and life for himself.
Here’s what we’ll explore in this episode:
🔸 How Khai overcame self-doubts and turned challenges into motivation
🔸 How he landed multiple offers right after graduation despite not attending a top-targeted university
🔸 His strategic approach to balancing options in Vietnam and the UK
🔸 How he juggled part-time jobs, studies, and job applications
🔸 The importance of building a network, seeking mentorship, and staying focused
P.s. This show is self-funded. If you'd like to support us and help make it possible to extend beyond the current 12-episode season, you can donate here: ko-fi.com/elle.... For sponsorship, advertising, or paid collaboration opportunities, email me at [e-mail].
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👩🏻 Who am I?
I moved from Vietnam to London at 17 and have been in the UK for over a decade. During this journey, I've overcome many challenges and achieved many goals I'm proud of: healing, career, marriage, homeownership, and dual citizenship. I've worked for big companies in London, through which I became a British citizen. I also have a science degree in Psychology from the University of Bristol. I create content to empower women and immigrant communities with tools for healing, growth, and success.
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My articles: lovefulmind.com

[@KhaiNguyen-yk9dg]

Thanks for having me, Ellen. I know I haven’t touched much on the schemes I applied to, but here is the detailed breakdown of the graduate scheme application timeline and some tips to set you up for success. 1. What is the graduate scheme even? Usually last from 1-3 years, it is a structured training and development initiative designed for (recent) university graduates. These schemes are typically offered by large organisations across various industries and aim to recruit, train, and nurture talent for future leadership or specialised roles within the company. Application process usually consists of 4-5 rounds: CVs, tests, pre-recorded interviews, assessment centres, case interviews (if you apply for consulting roles) or technical interviews (if you’re applying for technical roles, etc) 2. Application timeline I would say start as early as June because you will need to prepare for the rounds mentioned above. Peak time for these applications to open usually sit between September this year (x) to February the year after (x+1) and graduates usually start in July/Sep of that same year. 3. Tips: I won’t go too long on this but here are some key takeaways from my application periods * CVs: Harvard-styled CVs to the non-creatives!! Tailor your CV to each role by emphasising relevant skills and experiences; use keywords from the job description to pass applicant tracking systems. Make it 1-page only. * Cover Letter: Capture some attention in the beginning. Start with your story (e.g how you come across the companies, what you read/consume, etc). Clearly explain your motivation for the role and the company; link your achievements to the role’s requirements. Make it 1-page only. * Tests: Practice aptitude tests online to improve speed and accuracy; focus on weak areas and manage time effectively. Some websites include: assessmentday, jobtestprep, etc * Pre-recorded interviews: Prepare concise STAR answers for common questions; maintain eye contact and speak clearly with a professional setup (no distracting background) and PRACTICE A LOT!! * Real interviews: Research the company thoroughly; demonstrate enthusiasm, and structure answers to highlight your impact and results. Prepare and practice, especially if you’re not a native English speaker. Use ChatGPT to prepare your questions and think of STORIES that match with the company/team’s values. * Case interviews: Break down problems logically, explain your thought process clearly, and don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions. Craftingcases free course is a very good start!! * Assessment centres: Engage actively in group tasks, show teamwork, and balance leadership with listening to others. It varies from one to another so adapt yourself to the team you’re working with and be proactive in solving problem as a team! * Using LinkedIn to connect with people: Send personalised messages when reaching out, expressing genuine interest in their career journey and the company when pressing the button “Connect”. Something like “Hi I’m…, knowing you from…, I find the field you’re on very interesting and want to connect to know more” is a good start too. Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. EARLY PREPARATION is the key!

[@EllenNguyen]

Thank you so much Khai for joining the show and sharing this thoughtful answer! 💖

[@padinh02]

Love your interview, definitely the best job tips ever :) Could I ask how do you find your mentors and persuade them to help you?

[@KhaiNguyen-yk9dg]

@@padinh02 Thank you for your comment! I’ve been fortunate to meet many people who have helped me along the way, but the three mentors I mentioned in the podcast are the ones I’ve built deeper, more meaningful relationships with over time. 1. Finding mentors can sometimes feel like a numbers game-some people find the right connections quickly, while for others, it takes more time. And yes, there will be cases where people may ignore your outreach or not be the right fit, but that’s okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself; persistence and clarity in what you’re looking for will pay off.

[@KhaiNguyen-yk9dg]

2.2. LinkedIn Outreach: Craft a personalised message when reaching out. Mention shared interests, mutual connections, or what specifically drew you to their profile. Avoid generic messages and show genuine curiosity in the first 50-word connection note.

[@KhaiNguyen-yk9dg]

2.3. Attend Social and Professional Events: Networking events, industry conferences, and alumni meetups are excellent opportunities to meet potential mentors. Be prepared to introduce yourself with confidence and have meaningful questions ready. Also follow up with them online after you attend that It’s also important to be patient and intentional. Building mentorship relationships takes time and effort, but the connections you form will be invaluable in the long run. Good luck!

[@amityboy14mo]

Thank you for sharing! I'm from Thailand, recently graduated from Edinburgh Uni and still trying to find my way in life as a graduate so this is really inspiring!

[@EllenNguyen]

Thank you! I'm glad this resonates!

[@PHAbudu]

Great stuff Ellen!!

[@ElD4d4]

07:02 am in Ecuador. This is the right path to begin a day. 🎉

[@EllenNguyen]

Thank you!

[@hokspice]

Just want to ask where we can get the snack that was bought by Khai in London?

[@KhaiNguyen-yk9dg]

Most Vietnamese supermarkets have it but I bought it in Bao Long in Deptford!!

[@tramphan2710]

Really motivational ❤

[@EllenNguyen]

Thank you!

[@yewiebpharm]

love your series

[@EllenNguyen]

Thank you!