Tips and advice

Tips and advice

An interview is a conversation with a purpose. The interviewer representing the firm is trying to determine if your skills and experience match the firm's hiring needs. The interview also allows you to determine if the firm is the right match for you. Below are some helpful tips on the interview process.

Preparation

  • Do your research! Check out KPMG, including sections of this site such as Who we are. Familiarize yourself with the KPMG's business environment and the various career paths available within the firm. Resources include firm-issued literature, the firm's Web site, annual reports, and the guidance of professors, professionals, recruiters, and former interns.
  • Review your resume. Your resume is all about you, so make sure it comes across that way during the interview. Review your resume thoroughly, noting your strengths and weaknesses, personal values, and key skills, and how they relate to the job for which you are interviewing. Ultimately, know what image of yourself that you want to project to the interviewer.
  • Don't rush. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview. Stressing out because you're late is a bad way to start off.
  • Assess your skills. Take some time to think about your skills, both in general and specifically.
  • Practice, practice, practice. Grab a friend and have him or her go over the sample interviewing questions with you. Being prepared for the questions, even if they are a different type, will make you comfortable during the real interview.
  • Dress for success. Choose attire that gives you confidence and comfort but always maintain a professional and conservative image. Females: Conservative suit, hosiery and simple shoes, light makeup, reasonable nail polish, limited jewelry and perfume. Males: Conservative suit and tie, dark socks, dress shoes, no visible jewelry except a watch (this includes necklaces, earrings, etc.)

Resume Tips

  • Be concise and do not exceed one page.
  • Keep it neat, attractive, organized, and easy to read.
  • Ensure formatting is consistent throughout the resume.
  • Be honest when stating your best qualities.
  • Use action verbs to describe your duties and responsibilities (e.g., developed, managed, created, etc.).
  • Quantify experiences to show levels of responsibility (e.g., number of people supervised).
  • Be professional and appropriate.
  • Key areas to cover:

    • Heading
    • Include your name, address, and phone number (school and home, if applicable), and e-mail address.
    • Your name should stand out from the rest of the resume.
    • Education
    • Include school(s) attended (name and location), major(s), minor(s), GPA, and graduation date.
    • Relevant coursework and academic honors and awards are helpful, but not critical.
    • Experience
    • Include work experience and any activity where you developed and/or used abilities applicable to the position for which you are applying.
    • Include position held, name and location of organization, and dates of employment.
    • Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements.
    • Highlight any tangible accomplishments that have made an impact in your workplace.
    • Activities, Leadership Roles, and Interests
    • List volunteer positions, extracurricular activities, professional organizations, honor societies, and leadership roles.
    • Include all honors, achievements, and skills (e.g., foreign language fluency).
    • Interests are often a good starting point for conversation. They should be included only if there is space on your resume.

The Interview

  • First impressions count. What can we say, the cliché is true. Give a firm handshake and smile; it'll express confidence and a relaxed manner.
  • Pay attention. Don't let your attention wander during the interview, and be sure to give concise answers.
  • Don't umm or uhh. Sounds funny, right? If you need to organize your thoughts as you're speaking, pause; silence works better than stumbling over words.
  • Be positive. No one else is you, so talk about your experiences in and out of school. Don't apologize for a lack of experience, instead emphasize your strong points.
  • Watch your body language. Maintain eye contact, and don't be too rigid (yet not overly relaxed either). And listen to your mother...don't fidget. Everything makes an impression.
  • Question the question. If you don't understand a question, ask. It shows you are paying attention. There's nothing worse than not being sure what someone just asked and making up an answer that may or may not be what they were looking for.
  • To thine own self...be true. Be positive and upbeat, energetic and express your interest. When you are confident and comfortable, it makes a big difference during the interview.

After the Interview

  • Ask for a business card. If the person interviewing you doesn't offer to give you one, be sure to ask. You'll need it to remember his or her name to write a thank-you letter.
  • Write a thank-you letter. It is professional to send a letter (or email) of thanks to the person who interviewed you. Reiterate your interest in the position, and reflect on some of the highlights of the interview. Remember to be concise and gracious — and PROMPT.

Second Round Process

KPMG will often conduct a second interview or invite top candidates to visit their office. Be sure that you understand the timeline for second-round programs and make sure that they do not conflict with existing commitments (additional interviews, academic and personal commitments, etc.). Be honest with the employer. As a second-round candidate, the firm has a strong interest in you and wants to make sure that you are a good fit. Other points to consider:

  • Be fair to the employer and other candidates and accept a second-round interview only if you are seriously considering the position.
  • Once you commit to an invitation, do not cancel. You may have a conflict in dates, so choose wisely.
  • Ask what the next round entails and prepare yourself to meet additional personnel.
  • Continue to research the employer and prepare questions that will help you differentiate between employers.
  • Communicate with the employer as questions and issues arise.

Receiving an Offer

If you have received an offer of employment, congratulations! Take some time to think about the offer and begin the decision making process. Keep the following things in mind:

  • Return calls promptly.
  • Clarify any questions about the job that you may have.
  • Accept or decline on a timely basis.
  • Inform all recruiters of your final decision and be prepared to discuss decision factors.
  • Provide useful feedback to recruiters.

If you decline an offer, be positive about your experience and maintain good relations with the firm.

We hope you find these tips and suggestions helpful as you prepare to enter your career search. Being prepared is the best way to come across as a focused and professional candidate. Remember, confidence goes a long way in helping you secure the perfect position. Good luck!

Well, that's the interview process in a nutshell. We look forward to meeting you!