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PwC soft skill workshop
Surviving an interview
www.pwc.com
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Surviving an interview
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Write down 3 characteristicsthat best describe yourself
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Contents
• Who is PwC?
• What is an interview?
• Reasons for failure
• Body language
• Providing evidence
• Killer questions
• Try-out
• Q&A
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Who is PwC?
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PwC around the world
FY07: US$ 24.7 billion revenue
151 countries
FY09: US$ 26.2 billion revenue
FY08: US$ 28.2 billion revenue
163,000 people
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PwC in Belgium
4 OfficesAntwerp – Brussels – Ghent – Liège
FY09: 195 M euro revenue
41 nationalities
1 350 people
FY07: 194 M euro revenue
FY08: 207 M euro revenue
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Our Clients
PwC Belgium | Long-term relationships with our clients
Large international firms are the core to the business
Public Sector2%
Belgian Market19%
Large multi-nationals76%
EU3%
PwC
Our jobs for juniors
Go for a career in:
Audit & Consulting
IT Consulting
HR Consulting
Tax Services
Legal Services
Accounting
9
Why is making agood impression inan interview thatimportant?
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PwC Selection Process
• Application form: Cover Letter & CV
• Selection Day:
− Psychometric tests: numerical & verbal
− Solving a case
− Group discussion
− Language test
− HR and Business Interview
• 3. Offer
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What is an Interview?
• ‘Two-way conversation with a purpose; getting to know each other’
• Opportunity for the interviewer and the interviewee to get furtherinformation
• NOT an interrogation!
What is importantwhen participatingin an interview?
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Body Language
• Give a firm handshake
• Smile
• Respect personal space
• Maintain eye contact – don’t eyeball
• Relax
• Breathe
• Dress appropriately
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Take the 3 characteristicsyou wrote down
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Providing Information
Exercise: your own STAR answer
Sociable
Team playerCommunicative
FlexibleMotivated
Enthusiastic Eager to learn
DrivenOptimistic
Dynamic
Most given characteristics
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3 characteristics that describe you best: exercise
Try to describe, as concretely as possible,a situation in which you showed ...
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Providing Information
• When the interviewer asks you for examples, you should describethem as concrete as possible!
• Using the STAR method
− Situation:give an example of a situation you were involved in and whichproduced a positive outcome
− Task:describe the tasks involved in that situation
− Action:talk about the various actions involved in the situation’s task
− Result:describe what results directly followed because of your actions
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Providing Information
Situation:During my internship last summer, I wasresponsible for managing various events.
Task:I noticed that attendance at these eventshad dropped by 30% over the past 3 yearsand wanted to do something to improvethese numbers.
Action:I designed a new promotional package to goout to the local community businesses. I alsoincluded a rating sheet to collect feedback onour events, and organized internal round-tablediscussions to raise awareness of the issue withour employees.
Result:We utilised some of the wonderful ideas wereceived from the community, made ourinternal systems more efficient and visible andraised attendance by 18% the first year.
Example of a STAR answer:
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Providing Information
Situation:Whilst acting as a relief supervisor at awell-known pizza restaurant, a customerbegan to loudly complain about theservice being slow.
Task:To satisfy the person without upsettingother customers who were also waitingfor their food and who had arrivedearlier.
Action:I listened carefully to the customer’s pointof view. Calmly and diplomatically, Iexplained that there was a lack of staff dueto illness. I reassured the customer that theorder was being dealt with and I offeredcomplimentary drinks whilst the customerand his family were waiting.
Result:The customer calmed down andappreciated the situation we faced. Herealised that that it wasn’t deliberate anddecided to wait quietly, with the free drinks.Lesson learnt: the importance of listeningto people and seeing their point of view.
Example of a STAR answer:
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Task
Try-out
www.pwc.com/uk/careers/
Introduce yourself / small talk / body language
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Unexpected Questions
• If you encounter a difficult or unexpected question; stay calm andtake your time.
• For example:
− Can we continue this conversation in (another language)?
− …
►Treat them as a challenge!
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Reasons for failure
• Attending the interview but NOT preparing for it
• Providing superficial information or waffling
• Failing to listen to the questions
• Answering a question that was not asked
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Conclusion
Surviving an interview
• Prepare your interview: browse the organisation’s website, thinkabout why you want to work for this company
• Try out the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Dress appropriately
• Mind your body language: smile, firm handshake, relax and breathe
• Listen carefully to the questions of the recruiter: stay calm and takeyour time
Tips & Tricks
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Q & A
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Where to find further information
• Stay informed about our jobs and recruitment events onwww.careers.pwc.be
• Apply at PwC! Selection Days every week: www.selectiondays.be
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Good Luck!
© 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the network ofmember firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate andindependent legal entity.