Application tips

Applications

First and foremost, do your research to figure out what type of organisation you want to work for and most importantly, why.  Almost every organisation is going to ask you the question ‘why do you want to work here?’ at some point during the recruitment process and it’s essential that you are able to articulate why you were interested in applying and why you think the organisation is the right fit for you.

When it comes to selecting which service line/division/team you will apply for, hopefully, you’ll already have some idea of where your interests lie.  If not, also spend some time researching the different service lines or divisions of the organisation.  Again, this is going to be a critical question you will be asked throughout the recruitment process.  In my experience, the candidates who do well are the ones who are able to communicate their career interests in a well-informed and authentic manner.

Our advice

• Research and ensure you can answer the following questions:
  • Why do I want to want to be part of this organisation?
  • Why is this the right fit for me?
  • What part of the business do I want to work in and why?
• Check your eligibility before you start
  • Eligibility criteria may include academic qualification, degree completion date and residency status.
  • For your Grant Thornton application, you can find that information here.
• Prepare for your application before you start
  • Each organisation’s application process may be slightly different. Make sure you are aware of how you should submit your application and what documents you will be required to submit. 
  • At a minimum, have your resume/CV and academic transcript readily available as this will speed up the application process for you.
• Double or triple check everything
  • Triple check your contact details – we need to be able to get in touch with you!
  • Ensure you check your responses before submitting and be mindful of auto-fill functionality (which can occasionally edit your previously selected responses).
• Don't leave it until the last minute
  • Submit your application well ahead of the due date to avoid any last-minute issues.
  • Make note of the application deadline (including time zones) – it’s very unlikely that your application will be accepted after this deadline has passed.
  • For your Grant Thornton application, our application timelines can be found here.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

When you are completing your application online, you will generally need to upload your resume or CV.

So, what is a resume/CV and what should you include in it?

A resume/CV is a document that summarises your education, details of the qualifications you have obtained, your work experience, skills and achievements to date. 

At a minimum, you should include:

• Contact details
• Education/qualifications
  • Include qualifications you have already obtained and those which you may be working towards
• Work experience
  • Doesn’t have to specific to the industry you are applying for, we value the skills you have developed in your part-time or casual jobs and want to hear about it!
  • Be sure to detail the organisation’s name, your start and finish dates, your general duties and any specific projects or achievements you have contributed to.
  • Include all internships, work placement and paid/unpaid work you may have completed.
• Extracurricular activities
  • This may include involvement in societies/associations/clubs, sporting/cultural activities you have participated in, involvement within your local community or any other relevant activities.  

Our advice

• Remove any unnecessary personal details (e.g. age, marital status, religion, age, photos, salary expectations, etc.)
• Be concise
• Ensure it is easy to read
  • Keep your fonts and formatting simple, consistent and professional.
  • Do not include photos, background images or excessive use of colours.
• PDF your documents
  • This ensures that your document’s formatting is protected against difference that arise due to varying device or document software versions.

Cognitive ability/psychometric assessments

These assessments are tools which are designed to measure your suitability for a role based on the required aptitude (cognitive abilities) and/or personality characteristics. There are many different types of assessments that you might encounter throughout your application journey and you may need to complete a large number of these if you apply for multiple organisations.

Don’t panic - there are plenty of practice assessments out there for you to try before you undertake the real deal.  Practice won’t necessarily make perfect in this situation but can give you a significant competitive advantage.

We want you to do your best, so if your personal circumstances are such that you require an adjustment to the recruitment process, be sure to connect with us before you commence your assessment so that we can ensure that you are able to perform at your best.

Our advice

• Set yourself up for success
  • Ensure you are in a quiet, private and well-lit environment, free from interruptions and background sounds
  • Improve your concentration levels by being well-rested and hydrated
  • Put your mobile phone on ‘silent’ mode to avoid being distracted or unexpectedly interrupted
  • Ensure your internet connection is stable
• Read the question/instructions carefully
• Balance your speed and accuracy
• Respond authentically
  • Don’t try and ‘game’ the system – answer the way you naturally would, not in the way you think we want you to answer
• Raise any required adjustments before you commence

Video interviews

Video interviews are now a very common part of the recruitment process and for your application Grant Thornton, the video interview provides you with the opportunity to tell us a little more about yourself, your experiences to date and how you approach certainly situations/tasks/projects.

As with online cognitive ability/psychometric assessments, we want you to do your best.  Ensure you raise any required adjustments with us before you commence the video interview so that we can ensure that you are best set up for success.

Our advice

• Read (or listen) to the question carefully
• Use the preparation time allocated to structure your response, ensuring you respond to each element of the question
• Be clear, articulate and keep a steady pace
• Set yourself up for success
  • Ensure you are in a quiet, private and well-lit environment, free from interruptions and background sounds
  • Put your mobile phone on ‘silent’ mode to avoid be distracted or unexpectedly interrupted
  • Ensure your internet connection is stable
• Keep it professional
  • Avoid using slang, colloquialisms, jargon
  • A suit isn’t required, but dress sensibly and appropriately for the occasion
• Raise any required adjustments before you commence