Application Success
Application forms through to
assessment centres
Graduate and Undergraduate Programmes 2012
Introductions
Objectives of this session
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To provide practical advice on completing application
forms
Guidance on how to prepare for and to act in the
interview
To provide practical advice on attending assessment
centres
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The Graduate Recruitment process
Application
Ability tests
Selecting 1
Selecting 2
Selecting 3
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Application form techniques
How to apply
www.ey.com/uk
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Application form strength
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2 answers to the question
Please describe the most significant achievements (beyond the demands of your degree) that you
have attained over the last 3 years, which you feel differentiates you from your peers?
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A
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I think my A-level grades were a great achievement coupled with my university degree as I was able
to prioritise my studies over my social life. This I found particularly challenging as at University its is
difficult to discipline yourself and focus on your work. Since graduating, I have continued to be highly
self-motivated and registered myself self-employed to get ahead in my career by obtaining free
guidance from HMCE (VAT and Import/Export compliance), Inland Revenue (Payroll processes and
policy) and Venture Capitalist companies (for basic bookkeeping skills taught freely by qualified
accountants) in order to provide a quality service to my first clients. I have taken this pro-active
attitude forward into my employed career and registered myself as an ACCA candidate and have
thus far self-funded my studies.
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B
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I feel that one of my greatest achievements thus far is my membership of the departmental football
1st XI. I committed four days a week to training and matches. My position as a midfielder was to help
the strikeforce and help them score goals. Our success depended on commitment, the ability to
think under pressure and good communication throughout the team. By applying all these factors
and being dedicated, I made an invaluable contribution to our success. What singled me out was the
encouragement I gave others and the effort I put in. It also taught me how to best balance my
academic commitments to the time I gave to sport. Additionally, I helped the team bond by being
elected Social Secretary.
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Another major achievement was my time as a Group Leader in camp in Peru. I had to plan the trip
while studying for my first year exams. To achieve this I had to be dedicated and organised. In
charge of counsellors there as well as children, I was forced to learn quickly, having to organise and
attend meetings, be creative in my spare time, assign responsibilities, remain positive, encourage
others, remain vigilant myself whilst all the time prioritising the children’s safety. A particular difficulty
I had to over come was their behaviour, so to solve this I placed two members of the group in
charge at a time, with rewards for their performance. Another difficulty was overcoming the culture
barrier with the Peruvian staff, which I accomplished by being friendly and organised. Ultimately, I
received a nomination for the Best Counsellor award.
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Application forms - guidance
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Read the web site
Understand the application form/ read the question
Pre-plan answers
Give broad range of activities / interests and include
specific examples
Give a clear explanation of your responsibilities
Do not give unnecessary detail
Do not leave questions unanswered
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Application forms - guidance
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Sell yourself
Be honest
Write a draft
Review your form - could it be improved?
Check accuracy
Submit final copy
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Interview skills
Preparing for the interview
What do employers look for?
What practical things can you do before the interview?
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What qualities do employers look for?
Academic achievement
Intellectual skills
Interpersonal skills
Motivation
Maturity
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Academic achievements
• Grade A or B for GCSE Maths and English language
• 300 (24) UCAS points
• 2.1 Degree in any discipline
• Mitigating circumstances are considered
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Intellectual ability
Capacity to argue from principle
The ability to make decisions
Evidence of using initiative
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Interpersonal skills
Ability to lead
Ability to motivate
Ability to play alternative roles within groups
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Motivation and commitment
Desire for the job
The ability to actually finish a job even in the face of adverse
and unexpected challenges
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What practical things can you do?
Preparation for interviews
Logistics:
Location/Time
Know your application form
Research the organisation & role
Dress code
Practice:
Questions and Answers
Think about your examples and how you can fit them in
► Role plays & mock interviews
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In the interview
Do not worry about being nervous
Shake hands warmly
Speak clearly
Remember body language: sitting position/eye contact
Get to specific examples
Sell yourself!
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Questions you may be asked
Organisational:
What attracts you to this organisation?
What differentiates our company from competitors?
How have you researched careers?
Competency:
Give me an example of a time when you have worked
successfully in a team
Give me an example of a time when you achieved a task
under a time constraint. How did you react? Were you
successful?
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Other questions you may be asked
General
What do you know about the role you have applied for?
Why did you choose your university?
Why did you decide to drop an A-level subject?
What are your career aspirations?
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Types of questions you may ask
What training is available at your organisation?
What are the possibilities of using my languages & overseas
travel?
How would you describe your organisation culture?
How do you see the company performing in the next few
years?
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Assessment Centre
What is an assessment centre?
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Employer
“An alternative selection tool which allows the employer
to test candidates in a variety of different situations”
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Content of an assessment centre
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Interviews
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Exercises
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Interviews
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Not the same as your first interview
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Still need to prepare
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Know what employers what in their employees
Think about your strengths and weaknesses
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Exercises
Typical Exercises may include:
Job specific exercises Individual exercises
Analysis
Written exercises
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Individual presentations
In-tray exercises
Report writing
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Group exercises
Group discussion
Team exercise
Group presentation
In-tray Exercises
Tests various skills including:
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Ability to understand and interpret information
Planning & organisation
Ability to provide well-reasoned conclusions
Decision-making
Written communication
Financial/problem solving skills
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Case study exercise
Analysis of business information
• Extracting relevant information & making
recommendations
• Limited time frame
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Need to learn how to process information quickly
and accurately!
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Group discussion & Team building exercises
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Skills being assessed:
Communication & persuasion
Understanding of material
Listening
Compromise and flexibility
Utilising all team members
Team dynamic
Not only looking for “Leaders”
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Group discussion & Team building exercises
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Know what you want to say
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Put your points of view forward clearly
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Listen to, and build on, other’s points
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Help the group reach goals
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Be prepared to change mind
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Body language
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Be part of the team
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Individual/Group Presentations
You may need to present by yourself or with others
Identify main points to convey
• Structure presentation
• Good eye contact and body language
• Do not over-rely on visual aids
• Try to be confident
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Go on a presentation skills course if possible
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Final advice to candidates
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Play an active role in any group exercises
Be part of the team
In written exercises, make use of headings and PLAN
Try to incorporate your own business awareness
Be confident, speak clearly and precisely
Keep to the time frames given
Meet all of the objectives set out in all exercises
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Any questions?
Thank you