My Placement Year in External Affairs at the ABI

By Callum Harrison

In July, I joined the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to undertake a yearlong placement as part of my four-year Politics with Economics degree at the University of Bath. The ABI is a trade association representing a significant proportion of the UK insurance and long-term savings industry, and the public affairs team plays a central role in engaging with policymakers, parliamentarians and external stakeholders on a wide range of policy issues. Throughout my placement, I have gained invaluable insight into how public affairs operates in practice. I have also developed a range of skills that will be crucial as I consider my next career steps.

Day to day, I am responsible for political monitoring, handling casework, and producing an evening newsletter, but much of my work is centred around specific political and internal events, meaning that no two weeks are ever the same. Ahead of party conference season, I was responsible for producing the team’s briefing pack, including a detailed itinerary of events. I also supported the organisation of our 40^th Anniversary Parliamentary Reception which was a real highlight for me as it took place on the Parliamentary Terrace and I got the chance to network with many industry and parliamentary stakeholders.

In addition to this, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the press team. I have gained experience in handling press queries and helping to draft press releases, which broadened my understanding of how media strategy intersects with public affairs.

Before I joined, I hadn’t quite grasped just how wide the interests of the insurance and long-term savings industry reached. There are so many inputs, and variables that affect those inputs, that what I monitor and cover is so varied. I’m not just reading transcripts of debates specifically about insurance and pensions legislation, but also on the provision of flood defences and the skills agenda as these have significant effects on the industry.

After just 6 months at the ABI, my desire to have a career in public affairs has been cemented. The proximity to politics, and the twists and turns that come with it, has assured me that it is a career I want to pursue. I have thoroughly enjoyed working across the insurance and long-term savings industry,

but I would like to get a taste of other industries before I potentially specialise. In my view, the best way to do that is to work in an agency which is the plan after I graduate.  

I found, and most people find, the placement application process very challenging due to how competitive the opportunities are. I personally applied to over 60 placements, completed fifteen plus video interviews, attended eight in-person interviews, three assessment centres, reached the final interview stage three times without success, and finally received my offer from the ABI after my final university exam of second year in mid-May. This was after most people I knew had received offers, but it wasn’t an uncommon situation to be in. The key to the whole process is perseverance. It is very easy to say, and I would have scoffed at that after my 5^th hirevue of an evening, but it is ultimately true. I look back on my failed applications and I’m grateful in a way as they helped me end up at the ABI. Placement opportunities are advertised all through the academic year and just when you think they’re drying up, a whole heap of them end up being advertised, so keep going.

In terms of more practical advice, I would say make sure you read the application instructions carefully and ensure that your answers directly address the questions being asked. It sounds very simple, but I have fallen foul to that many times. Also, make sure the cover letter you send is the right one for that company. I had a week where I had accidentally changed a setting which meant my files didn’t sync properly, so I’d sent out 10 cover letters that were incorrectly addressed. Maybe that was just me, but it is worth making sure you’re doing the very basic things right throughout the process.

I think the most important aspect for interviews is to be/seem genuinely enthusiastic for the role and the industry. If successful, you will be working there for a year, so think what would make the interviewer more likely to hire you, someone with slightly better experience, or someone who is excited and passionate about the opportunity. Also, the STAR method is absolutely essential in interviews. I never believed in a plan and thought that not preparing answers would make mine seem more authentic, but it just made me sound like a bumbling mess. Have a bank of anecdotes ready to be deployed throughout the interview. Use the STAR method to come up with answers to questions you’d expect to come up, but in the interviews, you’ll need to be adaptable with your anecdotes. The process is a slog, but the result is an absolute joy.

I am so glad I decided to do a placement, and I would recommend it to absolutely everybody.