Uptree

Juwon, a Year 13 student from the City of London Academy, got to the final stage of the KPMG application process for their Audit Degree Apprenticeship .

Here, Juwon kindly shares her overview and advice for each step so that you can learn some insider tips!

Juwon also took over the Uptree Instagram for day #StudentTakeover

How did you hear about Uptree?

I heard about Uptree during a school assembly where someone presented what the firm was and their goals.  After this, the school has been a strong advocate of Uptree - around the school there were regular posters about events/ masterclasses the firm was hosting. I took part in the work shadowing day last year at Deloitte ; at the time I was taking part in Career Ready which took up most of my extra-curricular time available.

Can you talk us through each stage of the KPMG application process?

Stage 1: online application

Here you had the general questions of grades and background. The most important part of the application questions asked you to show your drive for working with KPMG, ie. Why KPMG? Why this apprenticeship?

How I prepared:

Reading and researching online about KPMG . I also thought about the insight day I attended at the firm and checked my notes on what stood out to me about them.

Stage 2: audio interview

Unlike a typical video interview, KPMG asked for a digital audio instead with three questions they sent you in advance. They gave you 3 days to complete this and since it was you recording your answers, you had as many takes as you wanted until you wanted to submit your final piece.

How I prepared:

I wrote down the points I wanted to say and mention, then I literally practised, practised, practised until I got the perfect tape I wanted!

Stage 3: online test

It was a reasoning one where you had to find patterns and allocate the right shape next. I didn't find this hard.

I prepared by:

Doing a practice test before - you can find some of these online (or ask your KPMG contact for advice).

Stage 4: the assessment centre

Initially you have a few minutes to get to know everyone who is there, too.

This stage has two parts:

1. A written exercise by yourself which asked you to write a report on how you would conduct an event, showing your budgets, target audience and explaining your choices.

2. A one hour, 1-1 interview with a team member from your role.

KPMG came back to me after 2 weeks.

I prepared by

More research!! Getting my mentor to ask a few questions which he would ask an apprentice and doing this frequently with people around me.

You can also try the exercise I was given above and get feedback from a teacher or careers adviser.

Do you have any overall advice and tips?

• Know the company you are applying for - know their values and what the job role is.

• Practise free online tests and use friends/family to practise answers with for free!

• For the written exercise, make sure you ask for help from a teacher to make sure you know the basis of writing a report and, moreover, how to be concise which is what I struggled with*

• Don’t overthink, make it feel like a conversation as it will feel more natural and your passion shows even more than nerves

*View Uptree's article about how to use the STAR technique to stay on topic: https://uptree.co/blog/the-star-technique/

From whole experience I have learnt: what firms are actually looking for and to be more confident. I also asked for feedback on what I could do to improve, such as being concise which was my major flaw in the written exercise which made me lose the position.

What are your next steps in your career?

Currently, I am applying to more apprenticeships in investment, accounting and economics. I'm looking to hopefully start one in September 2020 but the current situation is making it harder. I have been really interested in the auditing sector but I am up for any opportunities.

Uptree thanks Juwon greatly for sharing her experience with us and we hope that her insights help you if you are going through a similar process. We wish Juwon all the best in her apprenticeship search and in the future.

To see what work experience days / application masterclasses / career opportunities KPMG have in your local area, check out their company page: https://uptree.co/kpmg/