Making Successful Applications

Transcription

1 Making Successful Applications Helen Ogilvie PricewaterhouseCoopers Student Recruitment Team

2 Facts... Voted the UK s number one graduate employer for the fifth consecutive year Highest ranked professional services firm in The Sunday Times Best Green companies ranking Platinum status in the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index scoring over 95% for the fourth consecutive year 26% of partner admissions were women, bringing the total number of women partners to over 100 for the first time in the firm s history Launched innovative partnership with the World Land Trust to incentivise our people to reduce air travel 4,650 of our people were supported in their volunteering activities by the firm. 3,700 were involved in employee volunteering programmes during working hours, contributing 40,900 hours Contributed 6.8million to the community (cash, time and in-kind support) Second year of carbon neutrality

3 2,279,189 Website page views 526,598 Website visitors 12,618 Applications 5,801 Interviews 1,342 Offer accepts 545 Marketing events 50 University 1For all campus events PwC recruitment facts

4 What do we offer students? PwC Graduate Exper1ence Programme Ins1ght Internship Programme UK and International opportunities Ins1ght Business Placement scheme Ins1ght Academy Ins1ght Day Further International Opportunities

5 Application process INS1GHT Full Time Application form Pre selection On-line testing PwC Student Talent Questionnaire Numerical and Logical 1 st interview Telephone interview 1 st interview Interview with Senior Manager/Manager Assessment day Group exercise, testing Senior interview Assessment day Group exercise, testing Director/Partner interview Offer On boarding

6 Online application via website

7 Steps to take before making an application: Preparation is key! Self assessment Research professions Research job availability Research employer Time allocation

8 The Application Form Personal details Career focus Business & Client Service Educational History Additional information Employment Referees

9 Top tips for application. Do: Read through the whole application form Pay attention to specific instructions - capitals etc Photocopy/download the blank form Spell check Ask someone to proof read the completed form Take a photocopy of the completed form List events chronologically, with most recent first Be concise you can elaborate at the interview

10 Don't: Repeat statements from brochures and other company literature Write smart or clever responses! Be vague Lie you ll get caught out! Leave gaps in your education history Forget to check for spelling and grammatical errors Squash in too much information keep it specific and relevant

11 What is an Interview? Two way conversation with a purpose Opportunity for the interviewer to gain EVIDENCE Opportunity for the interviewee to obtain further information NOT an interrogation!

12 Reasons for failure Attending the interview but NOT preparing for it Providing superficial information or waffling Failure to listen to the questions Answering a question that was not asked

13 Techniques body language Firm handshake Smile Respect personal space Maintain eye contact don t eyeball Relax Dress appropriately

14 Techniques- providing evidence Set the scene Explain what you did STAR model Describe the outcome Put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer what have you said that they can record?

15 What is an Assessment Centre? A series of exercises which provide the employer with the opportunity of observing your behaviour Supports evidence obtained at interview or via psychometric questionnaires Activities measure specific competencies the employer looks for Considered the most accurate and fair way of testing candidates

16 Assessments Psychometric Tests PwC uses these Personality Questionnaires In Tray Exercises Group Discussions PwC uses these Role Plays Presentations Interviews PwC uses these Group Lunch / Drinks PwC uses these Your chance to find out more!

17 Tips Prepare Determine which exercises you will undertake If you prepare a presentation save it on disk & have back up slides Remain focused and motivated Listen carefully to instructions Remember this is a 2 way process Look the part dress appropriately Be yourself you don t know what the employer is looking for Bond with other candidates you are not in competition

18 Group Discussion Golden Rules DO: Be actively involved Remember others in the group Act normally, be yourself Remember your body language Actively listen Help your group stick to timeframes and objectives DON T: Just nod and say yes build on ideas Be a facilitator! Overpower everybody else Lose your cool! Be put off by others

19 Competencies that PwC assess We Put Ourselves in Each Other s Shoes Develop Self and Others through Coaching Communicate with Impact and Empathy Share and Collaborate Be Curious: Learn, Share & Innovate Lead & Contribute to Team Success Invest in Relationships Be Passionate about Client Service Build & Sustain Relationships Enhance Value through Quality Demonstrate Courage & Integrity Acquiring and Applying Commercial & Technical Expertise Manage Projects & Economics Be Open Minded, Agile with Change and Practical

20 Where to find further information University Careers Service Text PwC to to receive a link to our WAP Site Our website: Institute websites: ICAEW/ ATT / CTA

21 Any Questions?