© 2014 Grant Thornton LLP | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd

Go whereYou can GROW

2© 2014 Grant Thornton LLP | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd

Grant Thornton is…

Big enough to provide exciting career opportunities

Small enough for personalized career development

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Grant Thornton supports the whole you

© 2014 Grant Thornton LLP | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd |

Opportunity for Advancement

Value, Recognized, & Appreciated

Quality of Life & Personal Interests

Trusted Leadership & Proud Employees

Rewarding Career

Community Involvement

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Who we serveOur chosen markets

• Complex privately held businesses

• High-growth, exciting startups with significant potential

• Large public companies

• Mid-sized public companies

• Not-for-profits

• Private equity funds & their portfolio companies

• Public sector (federal, state & local government)

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What we doService lines and industries

Audit

TaxAdvisory

Energy

Health care

Hospitality & Restaurants

Real estate and construction

Consumer and industrial products

Not-for-profits

Technology

Public sectorFinancial services and

institutions

Manufacturing and Transportation

Food & Beverage

Life Sciences

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Our locationsFrom coast to coast

West Region

Anchorage Salt Lake City

Denver San Diego

Irvine San Francisco

Los Angeles San Jose

Phoenix Seattle

Portland

Reno

Central Region

Appleton Minneapolis

Chicago Oakbrook Terrace*

Cincinnati Oklahoma City

Cleveland Omaha

Dallas Overland Park

Detroit Schaumburg

Houston St. Louis

Kansas City Tulsa Wichita

Madison

Milwaukee

Global Public Sector

Alexandria Sacramento

Austin San Antonio

East

Albany New York

Atlanta McLean

Baltimore Miami

Boston Orlando

CharlottePhiladelphiaRaleigh

Columbia Pittsburgh

Edison (NJ)Providence Tampa

Fort Lauderdale Washington D.C

Glastonbury Westborough

Long Island

*indicates national office

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Global professionalServices firm

Grant Thornton is one of the

world's leading organizations of

independent audit, tax and advisory firms.

 

over COUNTRIES

100 

2,900 PARTNER

S

725 

OFFICES

40,000 EMPLOYEES

more than

 

over

$4.7B REVENUE

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© Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved.© Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved.

NAVIGATINGTHE INTERVIEW

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WHAT TO EXPECT

• Initial Interview (30 minutes on campus or by phone/Skype)• Second Round Interviews (Office Visit)

• Dinner with other interviewees and professionals before the interviews are typical

• 2-3 interviews in the office (30-45 minutes each)• Lunch with other interviewees and professionals the day of

the interviews

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PREPARING FORINTERVIEWS

• Research the company • Be prepared to present yourself• Practice interviewing• Prepare questions to ask during the interview• Be prepared on the day of the interview

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RESEARCH THECOMPANY

Learn the following prior to the interview:• History• Mission statement/ philosophy• Organizational structure• Position specifics/training/advancement opportunities• Culture• Market space

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PREPARE TOPRESENT YOURSELF

Think of examples to present in the interview• At least 3 strengths (try to tie them to the specific job)• At least 3 weaknesses (that can be seen as strengths)• A time when you failed at something• A time when you achieved a goal• A time when you dealt with conflict

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PRACTICE INTERVIEWING

Remember – this is your interview and your chance to shine• Recall recent situations that show favorable behaviors • Outcomes should reflect positively on you • Be honest – don't embellish, you never know when it will

come back to you• Be specific – don't generalize! The more detail, the

better• Focus on examples that highlight “I”, not “we” scenarios

Behavioral Interviews

• Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior

• Enables employers to compare skills, interests and future goals with the job requirements to determine if there is a match.

• Focuses on traits rather than experiences

• Opening – rapport is established between the candidate and interviewer

• Exploration – interviewers probe with behavioral questions

• Conclusion – questions, wrap-up, and follow-up

Behavioral Interview format

Behavioral Interview format

• Interviewee is asked to provide specific examples of past reactions to given situation

• "Tell me of a time when you…"• "Give me an example of a time when…"• "Describe a situation in which…"

• Examples:• "Tell me about a time when you failed."

• "Give an example of a time when you succeeded despite great opposition."

• "Describe a situation when you didn't get along with someone."

Remember to STAR when structuring a behavorial interview response.

Situation

Task

Action

Result

STAR Model

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PREPARE YOURQUESTIONS

• Always have questions to ask the interviewer to convey your interest in the company and the position

• If you are interviewing with multiple individuals, it is ok to ask them the same questions to see the different perspectives for the questions that are important to you

• You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you!

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DAY OF THEINTERVIEW

• Double-check the time and location of the interview• Dress the part – look professional• Get a good night sleep• Bring your portfolio, resume, copy of transcripts, pen

and paper• Arrive early but not too early (10-15 min)• Treat every person you meet as an interviewer

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FIRSTIMPRESSIONS

• Be aware of your body language• Sit up straight • Maintain appropriate eye contact, averting your

gaze from time to time• Don’t fidget or make sudden movements• Focus on your interviewer

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THE SOCIAL SIDEOF INTERVIEWS

• Opportunity to meet junior level professionals• Still an interview – treat everyone you meet as part

of the decision making process• Decide if this is the right place for you• Ask questions• Show enthusiasm

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COMMONMISTAKES

• Not researching the company and not developing questions before the interview

• Lack of professionalism• Nerves getting the better of you• Not keeping the personal to yourself • Cell phones distracting you from being engaged

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AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Step 1: Ask the Recruiter about next steps in the process and decision timeline

Step 2: Send a personalized thank you email to each interviewer within 24 hours of the interview

• Appreciate the interviewer's time• Comment on a topic from the interview and subtly

resell your qualifications• Reinforce your interest in the position• Clear up any lingering questions

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AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Be responsive to phone calls/emails from firms• Respond to all offers once decisions are made, both

positive and negatively• Do not interview with a firm if you have committed

yourself to another firm or have no interest in the firm

• Be open and honest with recruiters and firm professionals

© Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved.© Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved.

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