When Chaudhry started looking for his first full-time job, he knew it was not going to be easy. But that it would be so difficult, he didn't expect. Despite his finance background, it seemed almost impossible to score a job at a bank. So how did Chaudhry manage to get into ABN AMRO? And how did he build the self-confidence he needed in the workplace? He shares his story! 👇
Timing is everything
For Chaudhry, the job search took longer than expected. "I applied to several financial companies, but I barely got any responses back. To get into a bank, you need a good network, and I didn't have one," he says. A friend of Chaudhry's had just started a finance traineeship, and advised him to do the same. "A traineeship seemed like a good idea to me. That friend shared my resume with his contact at Solid Professionals. Then suddenly things went very fast!"
Love for numbers
Chaudhry studied Marketing and Media Studies, followed by a master's degree in Business Analysis and Strategic Management at the University of Manchester. "My master's was mainly about management consulting and strategic planning," he says. During my studies, a passion for numbers and problem solving quickly emerged. His fascination with mathematics began at an early age: "Numbers have always felt logical to me," he recalls. When he first visited the stock market and saw those flashy numbers, he knew for sure: he was going to work in finance.
Finding your way in a new role
Working in the change department of Risk Division was quite a challenge for Chaudhry. "I knew a lot about finance," he says, "but how a bank works from the inside, I had no idea. I only knew banks as customers on the other side of the counter! A bank is hugely complex, you don't just figure that out," says Chaudhry. "The trainings at Solid Professionals helped me to better understand the processes and the people behind the scenes. I couldn't have just figured that out on my own," he adds.
Chaudhry is happy with his team at the bank, which he describes as diverse, international and, above all, very friendly. "They are happy to share their knowledge and are nice colleagues. Despite being the youngest on the team, I have a great time and learn a lot from their feedback," he says. "I really feel like I've found people who are as passionate about numbers as I am. They think the same way, which is really nice."
Support makes the difference
An important part of Chaudhry’s traineeship experience was the support he received. “I had monthly check-ins with my talent manager, Sophie. She was always there to guide me,” he explains. “Even when I was stuck in Morocco during the earthquake, they reached out to make sure I was okay. That showed me they look beyond just work, they genuinely care about their people.”
That support went beyond the occasional check-in. "Sophie helped me better understand the Dutch work culture and how to improve my communication. For example, I learned how to make my e-mails a little friendlier and how to work better together, which was a big change from the direct communication style I was used to. At Solid Professionals, you are not a resume or a piece of paper; they understand who you are and really care about you."
Growing through targeted training
Chaudhry attributes much of his professional growth to the trainings he took during his traineeship. "The MBTI training helped me understand different personality types, which improved my skills in stakeholder management. The Mental Resilience training helped me think about how to stay mentally healthy in a challenging work environment. But the Secure Base training really stood out for me," he says. "In it, I learned how to create a sense of safety and belonging in a new work environment. That's so incredibly important, especially when you're just starting to work!"
The trainings not only allowed Chaudhry to grow professionally, but also personally. "They gave me the tools to understand people better and adapt my way of communicating, which is really important when working with different stakeholders."
The value of a diverse group
During his traineeship, Chaudhry worked with a diverse, international group of colleagues. "It was great to work with people from different parts of the world," he says. "It's refreshing to get new perspectives from such a diverse group. I learned a lot, not only about the work we do, but also about how different cultural backgrounds affect problem solving and teamwork."
Looking ahead
Looking forward, Chaudhry wants to continue to grow within the banking industry. "My goal is to advance as far as possible in leadership roles," he shares. "I believe that if you work hard, results will come naturally. Rome wasn't built in a day either!"
Looking back on the past year, Chaudhry sees a lot of personal and professional growth. "I have learned a lot about the banking industry, but more importantly, about myself. I've gotten better at communicating and dealing with challenges. I can't wait to see where I am next year!"
