Application Process & Interviews at Grant Thornton

I was hired during a covid year and so the process was very different to usual and nothing was able to be in person which was unfortunate, but the thing I did really appreciate was how prompt everything was and how well they communicated with me. I put in my application the day they opened and 2 weeks later I had completed 3 out of 5 stages of the application process. After each stage I would get an automated email telling me to respect a response within a week and each time I would hear back about 3 days later inviting me to the next stage. The only delay was with the assessment centre as this had to be entirely redesigned due to covid restrictions but this was all communicated with regular updated on its progress to keep me in the loop.

There is an online assessment which is followed by an on site written assessment, team building activity and manager interview.

I went through the Vacationer and then got offered a contract at the end of my 6 weeks.

The initial online testing and interviews were pretty standard, and then i had two in-person interviews - one was a general one and the second was a bit more specific to the role I was going to take.

Online assessments, interview, internship, grad offer.

Firstly was the application ( resume, cover letter, transcript). Once that was accepted a link to a psychometric test was sent through and you had 2 days to complete it. Then if you passed that stage you had video interview that had 3 questions with only 1 minute to answer. Once passed that stage moved onto an interview in the office with the Peoples and Culture Manager and Manager in your service line.

I had to sit through a virtual interview, online psychometric test, in person assessment centre and case study (including an interview with a manager from audit), and finally a partner interview.

Application process was much more accommodating than it appeared to be at similar firms. Assessments that you did appeared to be more relevant to your roles and the work you would do and the HR team were very friendly, responsive and clear in the application and hiring process.

Enjoyable, good interviewers with questions in line with what is expected in a grad interview

Quite standard. An online application, followed by a test, a video interview and an assessment centre

Professional, clear and thorough.

Standard format for grad applications as with any professional services firm.

1. CV and resume 2. Psychometric assessments (lengthy!) 3. Assessment centre consisting of a group meeting and office tour, introduction to the partner, a written assessment and then a one-on-one interview with a manager.

I applied online for the vacation program so I had to complete some testing and an online group interview and test before a one-on-one interview with a partner and hr employee.

It was streamlined and efficient.

The interview process was very relaxed and friendly. Both interviewers made me feel welcomed and supported. The interview became more of a conversation rather than QandA which was really nice.

Sophisticated and relaxed

Online application, video interviews, in-person group workshop, manager interview, and partner interview.

Online assessment, video interview, virtual assessment centre, manager interview, partner interview

For me was predominantly online, then one over the phone and one in person.

By the time you get to interviews you have already demonstrated your critical thinking skills plenty from the aptitude test and the assessment centre and so the main focus of the video interview was open-ended questions about your strengths and how you identify with the GT values and giving you open ended chances to share your best scenario examples. The in person interview came last and focused largely on personality fit, they just wanted to get to know you and get an idea for how you would handle stress and work with other people as those are essential skills to work in an Audit team.

What has been my journey so far? Talk about a time you had to overcome a challenge or effectively deal with a confrontation? Give an instance where you had to lead and how did you manage the engagement? How do you spend your time outside of work? If you were to invite someone for dinner, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Who would I take on a long-haul flight? What movie would I be in if I was given the chance? We were also asked to complete a SWOT analysis for a company

General ones. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just read up on the company and be yourself. We are all people!

Strengths, weaknesses, interests ?

1. Describe myself. 2. Name a time I had to work with someone difficult. 3. What is the biggest challenge facing the next batch of graduates? 4. What would your current employer say is the biggest issue with you?

What drove you to Audit? What experience do you have and how would that help you with this new role? If you could create a business tomorrow what would you create?

Scenario type questions. Also some interesting / fun / out there questions to lighten mood.

General background questions, targeted questions about work experience and application to the role, critical thinking questions about how you would respond to certain types of scenarios.

General situation ones and few broad industry ones. No technical questions

A combination of behavioural questions, motivation for applying for the particular role and my opinion of current challenges facing the company.

Pretty standard - why GT, why this team, goals and aspirations, different scenario questions (e.g. tell us about a time when .....).

The questions asked in the interview allowed the interviewer to get to know me on a personal level, what challenges I have faced and how I overcame them, interests, past work experience and study experience, what my goals and and some technical questions (but only in the final stages). There were also some company-specific questions which tests how much research a candidate has done into the company but these were standard.

Behavioural based questions

Questions included information about my uni degree, why I wanted to work for the company, and behavioural questions relating to conflict, solving problems etc.

What are your strengths & weaknesses? Why are you interested in this role? . What do you know about Grant Thornton?

What I studied and why I studied what I did? Where do I see myself in the future? What made me apply for GT?

Questions revolved around competency, cultural fit and career goals.

Questions such as "What are some of your weaknesses?", "What made you choose private advisory?", "What would your friends say about you as a person?".

Research the department you are applying for - understand what you want and make sure it is the right fit for you and why

The best preparation I can recommend is to practice video interviews as they can be a bit off-putting the first time, and brainstorm a handful of 3-4 scenarios from your life in work, sports, volunteering, uni or wherever else you have demonstrated positive qualities for the job that you can apply to a variety of questions so that no matter what is asked you don't have to panic and you can use one of your examples to help you answer and show off your skills.

Read about the values and vision of GT and then talk about the element you most relate to. Most importantly, be yourself and don't be shy to bring out your natural self, because we here at GT love to treat each and every one individual as unique. If you are applying for a graduate role then don't worry, we are most likely not going to ask technical questions. The interviewer is mostly checking to see if you will be a good fit for the team and whether you bring anything unique to the team or not. Aim to stand out.

Just read up on the company and be yourself. We are all people!

GT values authenticity, so being honest with your values and skillset. They valued my interests as a person.

- Don't place too much pressure on yourself, get a good nights rest and be yourself.

Research company, be sure of yourself.

Do some research around GT. Think about what you like to do outside of work to maintain a healthy work life balance. Touch up on some accounting information and terminology and just be yourself.

Always prepare, don't just wing it. Write down all the good skillsyou think you have and try to really think of the experiences you've had in extra curricular activities or work that have helped you gain those skills and the challenges. Research general behavioural questions and always use the STAR method. Attend networking events and speak to other candidates, working professionals and the CA people that run the events. They have the best knowledge. Always ask if there is anything extra to be doing. Make the most of the CA student programs that are run such as practice interviews and the one on one application assessment. Use your university resources when applying for jobs. Get someone to read over your resume and cover letter. Research the firms you are applying for and what to work at and look up how their values suit you.

Be authentic and true to who you are, have fun with it and be confident.

Read and understand the company and your service line best you can. While we do not expect you to full understand, if you have shown interest by reading that is a bonus.

Prepare for standard behavioural interview questions.

Think about your experiences and skills and work through how you think they apply to the role that you are applying for and how you think you can further develop those skills by being in that role.

Be authentic

Be yourself, prepare by practicing behavioural and motivational interview questions and have a think about why you really want the role. Interviewers can tell when you're pretending to be someone you're not!

SMILE! Prepare answers to example questions, prepare some scenarios that you have previously applied problem solving, team work and other important qualities to.

Read through the company website and read about the values and ideals of the firm. Try to think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role you are applying for.

Research the company, understand why you want to work for GT and how you can help them realise their objectives, tailor your application to suit the company and believe in yourself!

Be prepared, thorough and present smartly physically and in written and oral form.

Come prepared with real life examples of where you have demonstrated skills applicable to the role