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:

September 2011
PwC 2
PwC facts
Over 50,000 hours spent
volunteering in local
Number one Turnover in communities in 2010/11
in The Times 2011 was
Top 100 2.46bn
The Times Top 50
graduate Employers for
employers Women 2011 and
Womens
for the Over 1200 graduates Leadership
eighth year and 350 summer Programme
interns recruited in
in a row 2011

Audit 39% of
New More London office, the FTSE 100
outstanding BREEAM
award September 2011
PwC 3
Steps to take before making an application:

Preparation
Self assessment
Research
- profession
- job availability
- company
Time

September 2011
PwC 4
Where do people go wrong?

Open discussion

Spelling and grammar

Not enough research
Tell us about OUR business
Cant think on your feet
Haven't prepared
Haven't self selected

September 2011
PwC 5
The application form

Initial application:
Personal details
Educational history
Additional information
Employment
Referees

Supplementary question:
Business and client service

September 2011
PwC 6
Academics

UCAS requirements top 3 A levels (or equivalent) in one sitting

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
PwC 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

September 2011
PwC 8
Written communication

Spell check
Proof read everything
Be concise you can elaborate your during interview
Try to make things relevant
Dont copy statements from brochures, websites, etc

September 2011
PwC 9
PwCs 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

September 2011
PwC 10
Preparing for a
psychometric assessment online
testing

September 2011
PwC 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
inventories
- Personality inventory
Situational
judgement tests

Other recruitment
First interview assessment
exercises

September 2011
PwC 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

September 2011
PwC 13
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment

Numerical
Why will employers use a numerical reasoning
reasoning
test?
Verbal
reasoning

Logical Numerical reasoning tests give you an opportunity to make

reasoning 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.

September 2011
PwC 14
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment

Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning

Logical
reasoning

September 2011
PwC 15
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment

Numerical
reasoning
Verbal
reasoning

Logical
reasoning

September 2011
PwC 16
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning Why will employers use a verbal reasoning test?

Verbal
reasoning Verbal reasoning tests measures your ability to reason with
Logical and to evaluate the logic of verbal information.
reasoning
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
PwC 17
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning

Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning

September 2011
PwC 18
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning

Verbal
reasoning
Logical
reasoning

September 2011
PwC 19
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning Why will employers use a logical reasoning test?
Verbal Logical reasoning is a high level measure of reasoning, which
reasoning
is not impacted by an individuals numerical or verbal ability
Logical The test provides an opportunity to work through problems
reasoning 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

September 2011
PwC 20
 Preparing for a psychometric assessment
Numerical
reasoning

Verbal
reasoning

Logical
reasoning

What comes next in the sequence?

September 2011
PwC 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!

September 2011
PwC 22
What do we offer you?
Insight programmes Graduate positions
Open Day Full time graduate roles
Academy
UK Internship UPDP
Business Placement Partnerships with Newcastle
Partner Shadowing University, Henley Business School
at the University of Reading and the
Institute of Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Teach First
4 year degree programmes with
Internship or full time position paid placements

School & college leaver China sourcing initiative

programmes Full time graduate roles in
Practical alternative to a traditional Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong
degree

September 2011
PwC 23
Our brand promise

Were passionate about making a difference for our

clients and each other, constantly creating and
adding value. Thats our brand promise.

Its 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

September 2011
PwC 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

Onboarding September 2011

PwC 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 www.teachfirst.org.uk
September 2011
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

September 2011
PwC 27
Find out more

www.pwc.com/uk/careers

September 2011
PwC 28
Questions

September 2011
PwC 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
anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this
publication or for any decision based on it.

2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, PwC refers to
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a limited liability partnership in the United Kingdom)
which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member
firm of which is a separate legal entity.