www.pwc.com/uk/careers
Making successful
applications and online
testing
Skills session
Who we are
“Our objective is to build long-term relationships with our clients and
invest in delivering high quality services that will help us create
value for their businesses.”
Richard Collier-Keywood, Managing Partner
Our business areas:
PwC
September 2011
2
PwC facts
Number one
in The Times
Top 100
graduate
employers
for the
eighth year
in a row
Turnover in
2011 was
£2.46bn
Over 1200 graduates
and 350 summer
interns recruited in
2011
New More London office,
outstanding BREEAM
award
PwC
Over 50,000 hours spent
volunteering in local
communities in 2010/11
The Times Top 50
Employers for
Women 2011 and
Women‟s
Leadership
Programme
Audit 39% of
the FTSE 100
September 2011
3
Steps to take before making an application:
•
•
•
•
PwC
Preparation
Self assessment
Research
- profession
- job availability
- company
Time
September 2011
4
Where do people go wrong?
Open discussion
• Spelling and grammar
• Not enough research
• Tell us about OUR business
• Can‟t think on your feet
• Haven't prepared
• Haven't self selected
PwC
September 2011
5
The application form
Initial application:
• Personal details
• Educational history
• Additional information
• Employment
• Referees
Supplementary question:
• Business and client service
PwC
September 2011
6
Academics
• UCAS requirements – top 3 A levels (or equivalent) in one sitting
PwC
•
If you have extenuating circumstances, tell us
•
International qualifications – do not attempt to convert
•
Degree module marks – you need to give full breakdown
•
Chronological order
•
Explain gaps
•
Pre-employment screening (PES)
September 2011
7
Competency questions
STAR technique
S – situation
T – task
A – action
R – result
Do not give vague answers
Talk about yourself
Do not try to be too clever, remember you may have to discuss further
at interview
PwC
September 2011
8
Written communication
• Spell check
• Proof read everything
• Be concise – you can elaborate your during interview
• Try to make things relevant
• Don‟t copy statements from brochures, websites, etc
PwC
September 2011
9
PwC’s competencies
Develop Self and Others through Coaching
Communicate with Impact and Empathy
Be Curious: Learn, Share & Innovate
Lead & Contribute to Team Success
Be Passionate about Client Service
Demonstrate Courage & Integrity
Build & Sustain Relationships
Acquiring and Applying Commercial & Technical Expertise
Manage Projects & Economics
Be Open Minded, Agile with Change and Practical
PwC
September 2011
10
Preparing for a
psychometric assessment – online
testing
PwC
September 2011
11
Why do recruiters use psychometric assessments?
Employers consider a variety of information
At PwC our selection process includes:
• Online tests
Ability tests
- (Numerical and Logical or Verbal reasoning)
- PwC Student Talent Questionnaire
- Personality inventory
Personality
inventories
Situational
judgement tests
• First interview
PwC
Other recruitment
assessment
exercises
September 2011
12
Why do recruiters use psychometric assessments?
• Assessment day
- Group assessment or individual exercise
- Written communication exercise
- Psychometric tests
Ability tests
Personality
inventories
• Senior interview
Situational
judgement tests
Other recruitment
assessment
exercises
PwC
September 2011
13
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
Why will employers use a numerical reasoning
test?
• Numerical reasoning tests give you an opportunity to make
decisions or inferences from numerical data, presented in
reports, graphs and tables.
• Numerical reasoning goes beyond simple use of data; when
doing a numerical test you can demonstrate your ability to
plan, prioritise and analyse data, see trends and follow
numerical reasoning and logic.
• These skills are relevant to a range of functions that require
working with money or finance, also general management,
finance and sales to data processing.
PwC
September 2011
14
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
PwC
September 2011
15
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
PwC
September 2011
16
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
PwC
Why will employers use a verbal reasoning test?
• Verbal reasoning tests measures your ability to reason with
and to evaluate the logic of verbal information.
• The process is similar to the skills required to summarise
large reports and extract verbal data at meetings . It's very
relevant for roles that require analysis of verbal information.
September 2011
17
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
PwC
September 2011
18
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
PwC
September 2011
19
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Why will employers use a logical reasoning test?
Verbal
reasoning
• Logical reasoning is a high level measure of reasoning, which
is not impacted by an individual‟s numerical or verbal ability
Logical
reasoning
• The test provides an opportunity to work through problems
and isolate information or rules that are relevant to solving
the problems
• This sort of reasoning is relevant for jobs which require the
capacity to learn new things and work through complex
problems in a logical, systematic and analytical manner
PwC
September 2011
20
Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning
What comes next in the sequence?
PwC
September 2011
21
Summary
Preparation
Self assessment
Research
Read the questions
Take your time
Practice psychometric tests – www.shldirect.com and www.opp.co.uk
Good luck!
PwC
September 2011
22
What do we offer you?
Insight programmes
• Open Day
• Academy
• UK Internship
• Business Placement
• Partner Shadowing
Teach First
Internship or full time position
School & college leaver
programmes
• Practical alternative to a traditional
degree
PwC
Graduate positions
• Full time graduate roles
UPDP
• Partnerships with Newcastle
University, Henley Business School
at the University of Reading and the
Institute of Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• 4 year degree programmes with
paid placements
China sourcing initiative
• Full time graduate roles in
Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong
September 2011
23
Our brand promise
“We‟re passionate about making a difference for our
clients and each other, constantly creating and
adding value. That‟s our brand promise.”
It’s the experience that stays with you
The skills you develop stay with you.
Being able to shape your own future stays with you
Being able to make a difference stays with you
The relationships you build stay with you.
Joining PwC is being part of something
special
PwC
September 2011
24
Selection process 2011-12
INSPIRED Talent
Mainstream entry route
Register
On-line testing
Student Talent Questionnaire,
Occupational Personality Questionnaire,
Numerical and Logical (verbal for Actuarial)
Application Form
Competency and Inspired Talent Questions
Telephone/Face to Face Interview
Assessment Day
Tests, written and group exercise
Final interview
Offer
PwC
Onboarding
September 2011
25
Teach First is an independent charity
with a mission to address educational
disadvantage by transforming
exceptional graduates into
inspirational, effective teachers and
leaders in all fields.
•
Intensive teacher training leading to Post Graduate Certificate in
Education (PGCE)
•
Opportunity to pursue a part-funded Masters qualification
•
Ongoing leadership development, coaching, business training & skills
workshops
•
Access to professional development and network of supporters
How to apply:
•
•
•
•
Register interest and complete an online application at www.teachfirst.org.uk
2.1 degree | 300 UCAS points | Relevant degree and/or
A-levels required
Contact XXX for more information xxx@teachfirst.org.uk
Deadline: 16 April 2012
PwC
September 2011
www.teachfirst.org.uk
26
Business Champions
„Live‟ business skills development programme
Get support and advice to put your business idea into action
Seed funding available for short-listed teams
Develop key employability skills
A range of prizes available for the winning team
Teams must be between 2 – 4 people and from the same university
Enter by 18th November at:
www.bright-futures.org.uk/businesschampions
PwC
September 2011
27
Find out more
www.pwc.com/uk/careers
PwC
September 2011
28
Questions
PwC
September 2011
29
Thank you
This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does
not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in
this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or
warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the
information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, its members, employees and agents do not accept or
assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or
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publication or for any decision based on it.
© 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to
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