Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year

I haven't been posting here much since the summer. Since then I stepped my job search and focused on getting past the application stage. This is the hardest stage to overcome because your fate is in the hands of a hiring manger, and if your resume does not catch their eye, then you are out. First impressions are everything and in most cases the 1 or 2 page resume is that impression. I also met with a skilled executive recruiter who recognized the struggle graduates are facing to gain employment. The opportunity to talk through my experience and hopes for future help me put my thoughts in perspective and motivate myself to continue in my persuit of employment.

For me my hard work paid off when I successfully made it though to the interview stage of Ernst and Young graduate scheme at the start of November. The interview consisted of 25 set questions. This took 90 minutes, so you do the math on how many minutes for each question. The psychometric test that followed was 6 logical, numerical, and diagrammatical questions in 8 minutes. There is a strong correlation between the pass rate of the psychometric tests and the success rate of those people obtaining their exams.

The interview was on the Friday and on the following Monday I had a call inviting me for a second interview on the Friday (just four days later!!). I did my homework and expected an interview with the partner from the division I applied for, and it would take up to 90 minutes again. I needed to know my division inside out. Oh and it would take 2 weeks for a decision to be made.

Well I got the partner at the interview. It took 30 minutes. And I was asked what my hobbies are, why did I want the job, and what was going to be the most difficult challenge. Less than 2 HOURS later I had the job!

So that was my later part of 2011 and I am looking forward to 2012 and sharing my experiences. I start work on Tuesday!

Keep chukkin them deuces