PwC skills session at UEA London

We had a recent visit from the Graduate Recruitment team at PwC to the UEA London centre and they gave the following top tips for different aspects of their recruitment process:

On-line application form:

• Leave enough time to complete the application
• Try to highlight personal outstanding achievements
• Make sure you tell the truth on your application form, otherwise it will be withdrawn and you can't apply again.
• Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer competency type questions
• When giving examples, say 'I' not 'We'
• Try not to over-complicate your examples and be as structured as possible.
• Best not to copy statements from brochures or websites

Psychometric tests

• The tests are made up of logical, verbal and personality
• SHL are the main providers of the tests used by PwC.
• You can bring a calculator to the tests.
• They make adjustments for those with disabilities
• Make sure you practise percentages, ratios, fractions, currency conversions and maths in general
• For the verbal reasoning tests, make sure you practise reading the passages of information once and summarising the key points
• For the logical reasoning tests you will get 40 questions where you will be looking at the logical sequencing of events.  Practise with abstract/shape based puzzles.  They have practise tests on their website.
• Make sure you manage your time going through the test.
• May also be a work style preference questionnaire.  

Telephone interview

• Smile on the phone, this will change the tone of your voice dramatically.  
• Dress as though you are ready for the interview, it will help get you in the right mindset.  
• Have your application form at hand and maybe some post-it notes but best not to rely on these, make sure you have already practised. 
•  Have a glass of water
• Make sure it's a quiet room with a don't disturb sign on the door.  
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

Interview

• Remember that the meaning of the word interview is 'conversation with a purpose'.
• Write down some examples that you might use in your interview and practise saying them out loud
• Don't assume anything, particularly in the interview....imagine they don't know anything
• Be familiar with the PwC competencies before the interview as many of the questions will be linked to them
• Think about your body language.  The interviewer will mostly make up their mind within the first 60 seconds.  Give a firm handshake, smile and appear confident.  
• Be ready to make small talk, especially at the beginning.
• Some typical questions that might come up that are advisable to prepare for are: "Tell me about a recent article that you've read that relates to PwC.  What is your opinion on this topic?  Why does it interest you?

Assessment Centre

• Likely to have a written exercise, where you will have 30 mins to read some information and write a report on it.
• Split into two groups for a group exercise where you will be given a pack of information that you need to give feedback on .
• Throughout the assessment centre, assessors are looking for consistent contributions and engaged body language, including sitting forward, nodding.

Q&A

In answer to a question  for international applicants going through the application process and trying to put in grades obtained overseas.  They suggested just putting in your results as issued by your country and the graduate team at PwC would convert them to UK equivalents.

For further information on career opportunities with PwC and information on events and different ways in which you can meet members of their team please go to their website  Why not check out their Facebook, Twitter and Linked IN profiles too.