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

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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!

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