Every year, a large number of students apply for the programme, hoping to gain corporate exposure and hands-on learning experience from one of the country’s most reputed organisation.

To understand the recruitment process better, I spoke with Maruful Islam, a former AIP intern, who shared valuable insights about how candidates can prepare themselves effectively for the selection process.

According to Maruful Islam, the recruitment process mainly consists of three stages: CV screening, an online assessment, and the final interview. 

Each stage evaluates different aspects of a candidate’s skills, personality, and preparedness. He explained that applicants often underestimate the importance of preparation, especially during the early stages, which can reduce their chances of progressing further in the process.

The Importance of a Strong CV

The first stage of the recruitment process is CV screening. Since recruiters receive applications from numerous students, having a well-structured and professional CV is extremely important. 

Maruful mentioned that candidates should ensure their CV clearly reflects their experiences, leadership activities, extracurricular involvement, and achievements in a concise manner. A CV filled with unnecessary information can create a negative impression, while a clean and focused CV helps recruiters quickly understand the applicant’s strengths.

He also emphasised the importance of tailoring the CV according to the internship role. Candidates who include practical experiences, projects, competitions, or organisational involvement often have a better chance of getting shortlisted because these experiences demonstrate initiative, teamwork, and adaptability.

Preparing for the online assessment

After the CV screening stage, shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in an online assessment. According to Maruful, the aptitude test is mainly based on mathematics, English, analytical ability, and behavioural questions. The assessment is designed not only to evaluate problem-solving and communication skills but also to understand whether a candidate aligns with BRAC’s culture and values.

He explained that the behavioural section is particularly important because it helps recruiters assess a candidate’s mindset, professionalism, teamwork ability, and decision-making approach. Candidates are often evaluated on how they respond to workplace situations and whether their attitude reflects the organisational culture of BRAC and Aarong.

Maruful suggested that applicants practise aptitude and analytical questions regularly while also improving their communication skills and reading ability. He added that candidates should remain honest and consistent while answering behavioural questions instead of trying to provide overly strategic answers.

Excelling in the interview stage

The final interview is considered the most important stage of the recruitment process. According to Maruful, interviewers frequently ask questions directly from the candidate’s CV. For this reason, applicants must have a complete understanding of every experience, achievement, and activity mentioned in their CV.

He explained that if a candidate mentions participation in a project, competition, club activity, or leadership role, interviewers may ask detailed follow-up questions regarding responsibilities, challenges, and outcomes. Candidates who fail to explain their own experiences confidently often leave a poor impression.

Apart from experience-based questions, interviewers also evaluate communication skills, confidence, personality, and the candidate’s motivation for joining the internship programme. Maruful advised applicants to research Aarong and BRAC thoroughly before attending the interview so they can demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the organisation’s values and work culture.

As competition continues to increase, candidates who prepare strategically and present themselves authentically are more likely to stand out. From building a compelling CV to confidently answering interview questions, every step of the process contributes to making a lasting impression.