Application and Interview Tips

Remember, first impressions count. The application form is a major opportunity to sell yourself. Before you complete the form, gather the things you'll need:

• Full and accurate details of your college courses and exam results
• Secondary education exam results
• Details of any work experience and employment you've had
• Your preferences for where you'd like to work

Then, while you're completing the form, remember the following:

• Read and follow instructions carefully
• Proof read everything you write
• Check your grammar and spelling
• Be concise - you can elaborate at your interview
• Don't repeat statements you've read in our brochures and website
• Be honest about your achievements - these will be checked at a later stage in the process.

• Know the exact location of where the interview is
• Know what you are going to wear - Dress professionally
• Be punctual – Not too early and definitely not late. Anything up to 15 minutes before your appointment time is ideal
• Be professional at all times
• When you meet your interviewer for the first time – SHAKE HANDS (firmly, but politely) and introduce yourself
• Sit up straight, relax and breathe normally
• Be aware at all times of body language – make eye contact and SMILE
• LISTEN attentively to your interviewer – pay attention to the format of the interview and the questions asked
• If you do not understand any of the questions ask your interviewer to repeat the question or ask for clarification
• Think about the value that you will be able to add to the position, the team and the Firm
• When answering questions take your time before you speak – ensure you take enough time to THINK and REFLECT about your response
• Answer all questions honestly and concisely
• Use actual examples of your past experiences when answering questions to demonstrate your skills and competencies in dealing with day-to-day situations that arise at work
• Act naturally and be yourself
• When invited to, ask your questions

Prepare and rehearse some competency and situational examples from your past experience which demonstrate your skills and competencies, i.e. problem solving, initiative, communication, team working, decision making, organisation, prioritising and time management. In preparing these examples, think of a situation you were in, the task you had to undertake, the action you took to deal with the situation and the result of that action. It’s simple – think STAR (Situation – Task – Action – Result).

We will also expect you to be able to talk coherently and confidently about PwC, the position you're applying for, the business world in general and yourself. The more you know about these things, the more prepared you'll be - so you'll have to get researching.

Think about investigating the following sources of information:

• Our careers and corporate website
• The financial media (press, television, internet)
• Relevant professional bodies (especially if they offer a qualification you're interested in pursuing)
• Anyone you know who works for PwC (or a similar firm)
• Don't just give information a quick glance the day before your interview. Examine them, understand the issues and keep yourself up to date!

Don't forget we're also looking to find out:

• Why you want to join PwC
• What you understand about the work we do
• What you think about the opportunity you've chosen