Selection Process
To PwC or not to PwC? It's a huge decision, so the selection process is designed to make sure we're absolutely right for each other.
The precise details of each stage will vary according to where you want to work, but the focus throughout will be on the qualities you need to do well at PwC. Having the right academic results is only part of it.
Filling in our new application form is good preparation for later interviews and assessments as it will make you think about how you contribute to team activities, where your strengths lie, skills you would like to develop, why you're applying to PwC, how you personally can contribute to our client services, as well as the area you would like to join. At PwC all our staff are required to demonstrate certain core skills, which we refer to as our 'global core competencies', these are:
Develop Self and Others through Coaching
We place a strong emphasis on personal development and on assisting others to develop. We'll be looking for people who can reflect on their past performances and recognise individual strengths and development needs, and who are also able to provide feedback fairly and constructively to others.
Communicate with Impact and Empathy
Being able to communicate, listen effectively to others and use influencing skills as appropriate is vital at PwC. We will be assessing your ability to express yourself fluently and clearly, and to use grammatically correct English on the application form.
Be Curious: Learn, Share and Innovate
At PwC, we value people who are able to take advantage of learning opportunities, share learning with colleagues and are creative in their thinking. We will be looking for you to provide evidence of where you've demonstrated these skills in previous experience.
Be Passionate about Client Service
PwC is passionate about providing our clients with exceptional services that contribute to their business success. We will be assessing your understanding of the services we provide and how we help to deliver business success for our clients.
Lead and Contribute to Team Success
Striving for excellence through working as part of successful teams is key to our work. We will be looking for evidence of where you have worked in teams and contributed to your team's success.
Build and Sustain Relationships
Building relationships through rich internal and external networks helps us to propose effective solutions for our clients. We will be asking you to tell us about how you build and maintain your existing relationships at university, work or other activities you are currently involved with.
Demonstrate Courage and Integrity
Honesty and integrity are core to our business and therefore we look for these values in our employees. We will be looking for evidence of when you have had to adhere to standards or procedures, maintain confidentiality or questioned behaviour that you felt was inappropriate.
Manage Projects and Economics
Delivering work to high quality standards is essential to PwC. We will be asking you to tell us about how you have managed your workload and utilised appropriate resources to meet deadlines.
Be Open Minded, Agile with Change and Practical
Changing business needs require us to approach change positively and adjust to new work structures and processes while still delivering quality work. We will be asking you to talk about when you have had to deal with changing priorities/workloads and how you dealt with this.
A step by step process
The selection process will give you every chance to show us what you're made of and that you have the skills we look for. The process varies slightly according to whether you apply to work in London or one of our regional offices. For London, your first interview is with a manager from the area where you want to work, followed by an assessment centre which includes an interview with a director or partner, a group or individual exercise and ability tests. Apply to one of our regional offices and the assessment day comes first.
Here's how it works.
Step 1: complete and submit an online application form
Once you've decided where you'd like to work within PwC and which route you'd like to follow, fill in our new online application form. Our team of recruiters will aim to review your application and get back to you within two working days. Check our UCAS tariff requirements on our application timetable and qualifications page.
Step 2: take some online tests
Impress us with your application and we'll ask you to take some online tests. These could be numerical, logical or verbal depending on the business area you choose and the route you take. You'll sit the tests again at the assessment day - this time on paper and supervised - so doing them online is good preparation. Visit our 'Assessments' page for tips on the best way to prepare.
Step 3: attend a first interview
This is a one-to-one interview with a PwC manager, probably at one of our offices, and gives you the chance to display the qualities that paper can't do justice to. We're looking for you to provide us with evidence of the skills we are seeking as well as reassuring us that you've thought carefully about your career choice,and you have a clear interest in the business world and PwC.
Step 4: attend an assessment day
The most thorough step in the selection process, this usually consists of tests that measure your numerical and verbal or logical reasoning skills; a second interview - normally with a partner from the business area you want to join; a group or individual exercise (in additional Strategy applicants will also complete a presentation and case study exercise); and an informal lunch with recent graduate joiners, giving you the chance to ask the kind of things you wouldn't want to ask recruiters.
This may sound a lot, but don't worry - the day is designed to be as interesting and enjoyable as possible, giving you the chance to demonstrate your best qualities and find out as much about life at PwC as possible.
Step 5: receive an offer
You shouldn't have to wait too long. We'll let you know whether we'd like to make you an offer as soon after the assessment day as possible. In total, the whole process from application to offer should take no more than three to six weeks.
Step 6: pass our checks
Once you accept an offer, our Pre Employment Vetting Team will verify the academic and employment history you outlined on your application. This won't involve any checks against social networking sites.
What then?
Before your start date you may find it useful to come back for a visit. This will allow you to have a more personalised, informal chat about what to expect once you join, take a look round the office where you'll be based and meet some of your new colleagues.
Embracing diversity: Adapting our process to your needs
Some learning disorders, physical and mental impairments may require the recruitment process to be adapted so that the candidate can perform at his/her optimum. We give some details of our process on this site, but if you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a medical condition or individual need that may affect your performance, we would welcome an opportunity to discuss our recruitment process with you in order to identify and make any individual arrangements needed to adapt our process for you fairly. Please freephone 0808 100 1500 or +44 (0) 121 265 5852, or email us at: e-recruitment.processing@uk.pwc.com.
If you'd like to understand the relevance of a disability or condition to our jobs, and the study they involve, please contact us on the numbers or at the email address above. You don't need to give your name and the information will not be used to discriminate.
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