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Deloitte Final Assessment Day
Evening all,
On Tuesday I've got the final stage of an application to join Deloitte in Reading as a graduate in audit. I've got a few queries and would be very grateful if anyone with some experience could help me out.
Firstly, the two interviews. I know one is a partner interview that, from what I've heard, can be anything from a Oxbridge style interview to a discussion on football to a discussion on country sports. I'm under the impression that there isn't anything specific I can prepare for with this, would I be right? But what of the other interview? Is this a competency based interview like the first interview? Is it with a manager, or a HR person? This interview is, in my head, the biggest unknown for me so far.
Finally, the e-tray exercise. I've read the details at http://graduates.deloitte.co.uk/index.cfm?p_id=113. How does it work, will I be sat in front of a laptop with someone looking over my shoulder? Is it entirely Outlook based? I'm very familiar with Outlook Express but don't use Outlook - is it worth learning how to use the calender functions etc or is the whole thing email based? If yes, is it a case of sorting the inbox by date received, and reading/replying starting with those emails with the highest priority flag?
Any responses would be gratefully received! I've got tomorrow night by myself in a hotel in Reading and will want to feel I'm doing something, anything, productive.
Many thanks!
Ed
On Tuesday I've got the final stage of an application to join Deloitte in Reading as a graduate in audit. I've got a few queries and would be very grateful if anyone with some experience could help me out.
Firstly, the two interviews. I know one is a partner interview that, from what I've heard, can be anything from a Oxbridge style interview to a discussion on football to a discussion on country sports. I'm under the impression that there isn't anything specific I can prepare for with this, would I be right? But what of the other interview? Is this a competency based interview like the first interview? Is it with a manager, or a HR person? This interview is, in my head, the biggest unknown for me so far.
Finally, the e-tray exercise. I've read the details at http://graduates.deloitte.co.uk/index.cfm?p_id=113. How does it work, will I be sat in front of a laptop with someone looking over my shoulder? Is it entirely Outlook based? I'm very familiar with Outlook Express but don't use Outlook - is it worth learning how to use the calender functions etc or is the whole thing email based? If yes, is it a case of sorting the inbox by date received, and reading/replying starting with those emails with the highest priority flag?
Any responses would be gratefully received! I've got tomorrow night by myself in a hotel in Reading and will want to feel I'm doing something, anything, productive.
Many thanks!
Ed
Scroll to see replies
Tednol
Evening all,
On Tuesday I've got the final stage of an application to join Deloitte in Reading as a graduate in audit. I've got a few queries and would be very grateful if anyone with some experience could help me out.
Firstly, the two interviews. I know one is a partner interview that, from what I've heard, can be anything from a Oxbridge style interview to a discussion on football to a discussion on country sports. I'm under the impression that there isn't anything specific I can prepare for with this, would I be right? But what of the other interview? Is this a competency based interview like the first interview? Is it with a manager, or a HR person? This interview is, in my head, the biggest unknown for me so far.
Finally, the e-tray exercise. I've read the details at http://graduates.deloitte.co.uk/index.cfm?p_id=113. How does it work, will I be sat in front of a laptop with someone looking over my shoulder? Is it entirely Outlook based? I'm very familiar with Outlook Express but don't use Outlook - is it worth learning how to use the calender functions etc or is the whole thing email based? If yes, is it a case of sorting the inbox by date received, and reading/replying starting with those emails with the highest priority flag?
Any responses would be gratefully received! I've got tomorrow night by myself in a hotel in Reading and will want to feel I'm doing something, anything, productive.
Many thanks!
Ed
On Tuesday I've got the final stage of an application to join Deloitte in Reading as a graduate in audit. I've got a few queries and would be very grateful if anyone with some experience could help me out.
Firstly, the two interviews. I know one is a partner interview that, from what I've heard, can be anything from a Oxbridge style interview to a discussion on football to a discussion on country sports. I'm under the impression that there isn't anything specific I can prepare for with this, would I be right? But what of the other interview? Is this a competency based interview like the first interview? Is it with a manager, or a HR person? This interview is, in my head, the biggest unknown for me so far.
Finally, the e-tray exercise. I've read the details at http://graduates.deloitte.co.uk/index.cfm?p_id=113. How does it work, will I be sat in front of a laptop with someone looking over my shoulder? Is it entirely Outlook based? I'm very familiar with Outlook Express but don't use Outlook - is it worth learning how to use the calender functions etc or is the whole thing email based? If yes, is it a case of sorting the inbox by date received, and reading/replying starting with those emails with the highest priority flag?
Any responses would be gratefully received! I've got tomorrow night by myself in a hotel in Reading and will want to feel I'm doing something, anything, productive.
Many thanks!
Ed
First, Ed, well done for making it this far.
Usually these kind of interviews will be with a manager, or a manager and an HR manager. The point is, you can't prepare for these so I'd recommend you info-up on everything. They're not expecting perfection. Think out aloud if you want, it shoes reasoning.
In terms of the email thing, I expect it will be in a format usual to most. As to what it is, you need to show how you will prioritise which emails to action, and which to leave til later. Filtering won't make it easier, you may miss emails which aren't flagged up.
I sort my work emails through ABCD.
Where A = Important and Urgent
B = Important and not Urgent
C = not important and urgent
D = not important and not urgent
I.e. if there's an email saying
"Ed,
Jo from KPMG called, wants to speak to you urgently. " and another saying
"Ed, I need the Jones file by 5pm this evening" you'd need to compare and prioritise.
Good luck. You've made it this far, I think you'll be fine!
Wow best of luck!!!!!!!
Thank you both for your kind messages!
Whilst driving home from Reading this afternoon I got a phone call to say that I had got the job! Suffice to say, I'm absolutely thrilled.
I will write details later so that anyone who types 'deloitte final assessment' into the search box will find out exactly what it was like for me!
I start September 2007 working in audit.
Whilst driving home from Reading this afternoon I got a phone call to say that I had got the job! Suffice to say, I'm absolutely thrilled.
I will write details later so that anyone who types 'deloitte final assessment' into the search box will find out exactly what it was like for me!
I start September 2007 working in audit.
Yesssssssssss congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! What were the final interviews like then?
Right, the final assessment day...
I was seated in a room which was to effectively become my base for the rest of the day. There was a desk with a laptop on it. The HR person who has been my port of call throughout my application explained the day. It was to begin with the E-tray exercise which was to be split into various parts. I would then have my partner interview before being taken to lunch by an audit associate.
The E-tray exercise takes place completely within a specially written piece of software. It is essentially an email inbox, but also features a calender as well as rather a lot of information relating to the scenario. After the technical aspects had been explained, my one hour started. I was left to myself to work thorugh the exercise. To begin, there were 5 or so emails that needed my attention. As time went by, more emails arrived and in the end I received 20ish emails that I had to reply to. I was under the impression I would have to prioritise emails, but this was incorrect. Instead it was a case of reading each email, and then selecting my reply from a choice of three. Some emails required answers that were right or wrong, where as others left you to form a business decision based on the data provided. In these cases there was not right and wrong answers, but more and less justifiable answers. As said before, there was an hour set aside for this stage. I spent the first 5-10 minutes reading all the data provided before reading the first email. Thereafter it was a case of reading an email and then looking the relevent information up, and replying. I worked as a sensible pace (certainly I didn't feel like I was rushing) and finished with 5 minutes to go. I took advtange of this time to write some notes, details of why are to follow.
After an hour the HR person returned. She again explained the next stage. For this, I had to write a business email. It was again based on the scenario developed over the previous hour and required me to analyse three possible takeover targets, and make a recommendation to be taken to the client's board. Again, all information required was provided. It was a case of reading the facts, and then forming my own conclusions. Interestingly there is no right or wrong answer, they are simply interested in your thought processes. After the 30 minutes, it was time for the next stage. I had 10 more minutes with the computer to prepare some notes for a face to face meeting with my 'boss' from the exercise. In the scenario he was about to meet with the board of the client and propose a takeover target. Note, he was unaware of the contents of the email I'd just written, or ny replies emails earlier in the exercise. I had 20 minutes in which to brief him using only the notes I made myself on paper. This side of the exercise was the hardest. All three possible takeover targets had relative costs and benefits associated with a takeover. In forming my conclusions, I had to make my own judgement calls. My interviewer did at times put me under pressure, but by sticking to my guns and backing up my arguments logically I just about survived. After 20 minutes the interviewer said the exercise was over, and sat back in his chair whilst we discussed the business and the role in more detail. It was then time for a quick leg stretch!
Back to the room for the partner interview. I felt things were going ok at this stage, but I also felt the stakes were about to be increased. This may well not be true, as the HR person said the E-tray exercise is the most important aspect of the day, but that is by the by. I was nervous. The interview began with me being asked about my course and what areas of the subject I enjoyed and why. A lot of the interview was taken up by the partner asking about motivational based questions, and asking about my commerical awareness. I answered as best I could, but constantly felt like I was about to trip up in some regards. I made a conscious attempt to shift the interview away from me and make it more about him which was good. I felt then we built more of a rapport and we chatted in a more casual relaxed way until the interview was over. One last chat with HR and I was told they'd try and be in touch later that day. This suprised me somewhat as I was under the impression offers were often made the same day, but rejections weren't.
That was the assessment side of the day over. After this I was taken to a restaurant by a audit associate who had started just over a year ago. They were great company, and it was a chance to ask the 'juicy' questions that I wouldn't have dreamt of asking a manger or a partner. This lasted nearly 2 hours.
I finally finished everything mid afternoon. I got a phone call later to say they would be delighted to offer me a place.
It was a tough day. However I do have to say that it was far from being unenjoyable. Clearly it's easy to say that with the benefit of a positive outcome, but the E-tray exercise was interesting and stimulating mentally.
Any specific questions please get in touch.
I was seated in a room which was to effectively become my base for the rest of the day. There was a desk with a laptop on it. The HR person who has been my port of call throughout my application explained the day. It was to begin with the E-tray exercise which was to be split into various parts. I would then have my partner interview before being taken to lunch by an audit associate.
The E-tray exercise takes place completely within a specially written piece of software. It is essentially an email inbox, but also features a calender as well as rather a lot of information relating to the scenario. After the technical aspects had been explained, my one hour started. I was left to myself to work thorugh the exercise. To begin, there were 5 or so emails that needed my attention. As time went by, more emails arrived and in the end I received 20ish emails that I had to reply to. I was under the impression I would have to prioritise emails, but this was incorrect. Instead it was a case of reading each email, and then selecting my reply from a choice of three. Some emails required answers that were right or wrong, where as others left you to form a business decision based on the data provided. In these cases there was not right and wrong answers, but more and less justifiable answers. As said before, there was an hour set aside for this stage. I spent the first 5-10 minutes reading all the data provided before reading the first email. Thereafter it was a case of reading an email and then looking the relevent information up, and replying. I worked as a sensible pace (certainly I didn't feel like I was rushing) and finished with 5 minutes to go. I took advtange of this time to write some notes, details of why are to follow.
After an hour the HR person returned. She again explained the next stage. For this, I had to write a business email. It was again based on the scenario developed over the previous hour and required me to analyse three possible takeover targets, and make a recommendation to be taken to the client's board. Again, all information required was provided. It was a case of reading the facts, and then forming my own conclusions. Interestingly there is no right or wrong answer, they are simply interested in your thought processes. After the 30 minutes, it was time for the next stage. I had 10 more minutes with the computer to prepare some notes for a face to face meeting with my 'boss' from the exercise. In the scenario he was about to meet with the board of the client and propose a takeover target. Note, he was unaware of the contents of the email I'd just written, or ny replies emails earlier in the exercise. I had 20 minutes in which to brief him using only the notes I made myself on paper. This side of the exercise was the hardest. All three possible takeover targets had relative costs and benefits associated with a takeover. In forming my conclusions, I had to make my own judgement calls. My interviewer did at times put me under pressure, but by sticking to my guns and backing up my arguments logically I just about survived. After 20 minutes the interviewer said the exercise was over, and sat back in his chair whilst we discussed the business and the role in more detail. It was then time for a quick leg stretch!
Back to the room for the partner interview. I felt things were going ok at this stage, but I also felt the stakes were about to be increased. This may well not be true, as the HR person said the E-tray exercise is the most important aspect of the day, but that is by the by. I was nervous. The interview began with me being asked about my course and what areas of the subject I enjoyed and why. A lot of the interview was taken up by the partner asking about motivational based questions, and asking about my commerical awareness. I answered as best I could, but constantly felt like I was about to trip up in some regards. I made a conscious attempt to shift the interview away from me and make it more about him which was good. I felt then we built more of a rapport and we chatted in a more casual relaxed way until the interview was over. One last chat with HR and I was told they'd try and be in touch later that day. This suprised me somewhat as I was under the impression offers were often made the same day, but rejections weren't.
That was the assessment side of the day over. After this I was taken to a restaurant by a audit associate who had started just over a year ago. They were great company, and it was a chance to ask the 'juicy' questions that I wouldn't have dreamt of asking a manger or a partner. This lasted nearly 2 hours.
I finally finished everything mid afternoon. I got a phone call later to say they would be delighted to offer me a place.
It was a tough day. However I do have to say that it was far from being unenjoyable. Clearly it's easy to say that with the benefit of a positive outcome, but the E-tray exercise was interesting and stimulating mentally.
Any specific questions please get in touch.
Was it just you there? or was there a group? Your day sounds pretty much like mine last year, except instead of justifying the merger/takeover thingy, we had a group exercise where we had to decide between us (after 10minutes reading time, with a whole booklet of information) how to spend a budget for a trainig/inclusion project that a company wanted to run. It was actualy quite fun, i thought, but then i didn't get an offer... so maybe it should have been a bit less fun... 
(NB: It's a bad idea to go the morning after your leavers dinner... got home at 2.30am and was on the train at 6am... hehe... maybe not the best decision...)
(NB: It's a bad idea to go the morning after your leavers dinner... got home at 2.30am and was on the train at 6am... hehe... maybe not the best decision...)
i'm so nervous!!!! mine's on the 22nd of november, in London and i have to get up so early i'm just worried i'll be so tired i'll phase out
thanks though ed, reading that has really helped!
xx
thanks though ed, reading that has really helped!
xx
I.e. if there's an email saying
"Ed,
Jo from KPMG called, wants to speak to you urgently. " and another saying
"Ed, I need the Jones file by 5pm this evening" you'd need to compare and prioritise.
Good luck. You've made it this far, I think you'll be fine!
In this case. I'd make the call on speaker and work on the Jones file while I take the call
"Ed,
Jo from KPMG called, wants to speak to you urgently. " and another saying
"Ed, I need the Jones file by 5pm this evening" you'd need to compare and prioritise.
Good luck. You've made it this far, I think you'll be fine!
In this case. I'd make the call on speaker and work on the Jones file while I take the call
badboy21
i was rejected by delittote! lucky for some i guess, i feel crap now and feel that im a pathetic waste
I was rejected by HSBC about a year ago. Don't let it get to you. Find out where it went wrong (get feedback if you got through to any interview stage, my HSBC feedback was excellent and if nothing else made me realise I failed more for interview technique reasons than for lacking necessary skills).
Keep your head up, and keep the applications going out.
groovy_moose
Was it just you there? or was there a group? Your day sounds pretty much like mine last year, except instead of justifying the merger/takeover thingy, we had a group exercise where we had to decide between us (after 10minutes reading time, with a whole booklet of information) how to spend a budget for a trainig/inclusion project that a company wanted to run. It was actualy quite fun, i thought, but then i didn't get an offer... so maybe it should have been a bit less fun... (NB: It's a bad idea to go the morning after your leavers dinner... got home at 2.30am and was on the train at 6am... hehe... maybe not the best decision...)
(NB: It's a bad idea to go the morning after your leavers dinner... got home at 2.30am and was on the train at 6am... hehe... maybe not the best decision...)It was just me. I was a little suprised that at no point in the Deloitte application was there a group session.
kissmekate
i'm so nervous!!!! mine's on the 22nd of november, in London and i have to get up so early i'm just worried i'll be so tired i'll phase out
thanks though ed, reading that has really helped!
xx
thanks though ed, reading that has really helped!
xx
Nerves are natural! Try to use them to your advantage. If you keep on top of your nerves you'll thrive under the pressure.
Will you have to get up early because you are travelling a long way? I'd seriously consider finding a cheap hotel if that is the case.
x.narb.x
How come you're not starting till next year Tednol?
I applied for deferred entry. I didn't have a gap year before university, and fancied one after university. Before going anywhere I just though I'd see if I could get something nice lined up for my return, hence Deloitte entry for autumn 2007.
Just pissing about now doing a temporary job in Manchester. It's actually the first time I've ever worked in an office, and I'm quite enjoying it. I want to pay off my credit cards, and then do some voluntary work and travelling from March to August.
Hi Ed,
Firstly congratulations on your quest on the deloitte job. I have been following your threads for sometime now, Its the best I ve found anywhere. And, I know you are the best person to ask u some questions I have. So, if you may, my questions are
1. Is deloitte e-tray test difficult as fast stream test? Bcoz i din do well on the fast stream one and i dun feel confident. And, the info given were also loadz that took about 20-25 mins reading. I felt very time pressured on that one? Is deloittes one time pressured, any tips on time management?
2. HOw good were your examples for the competency framework? Any tips on the answers! If u have it saved on ur PC.
3. Being very honest with u, I m not a very commercially aware person. How can I improve and wat topics are worth following coz i have abt 10 days now. How do u know abt the history of the cases going on?
4. Ted says "Make sure you are comfortable talking about the pro's and con's of an internet based business v a more traditional shop based business." Why do u say that? Is it for e tray test? Wat are the pros and cons? (I m embarrased.)
5. What was your own personal style in the interview?
were you confident? And What was ur answer on why you chose audit and deloitte as such? And do they ask u on ur understanding of audit?
These are the ones most important to me, I would appreciate it all my life if you can comment on the above. Desperately waiting for ur reply...
Many Thanx
Nookie
Firstly congratulations on your quest on the deloitte job. I have been following your threads for sometime now, Its the best I ve found anywhere. And, I know you are the best person to ask u some questions I have. So, if you may, my questions are
1. Is deloitte e-tray test difficult as fast stream test? Bcoz i din do well on the fast stream one and i dun feel confident. And, the info given were also loadz that took about 20-25 mins reading. I felt very time pressured on that one? Is deloittes one time pressured, any tips on time management?
2. HOw good were your examples for the competency framework? Any tips on the answers! If u have it saved on ur PC.
3. Being very honest with u, I m not a very commercially aware person. How can I improve and wat topics are worth following coz i have abt 10 days now. How do u know abt the history of the cases going on?
4. Ted says "Make sure you are comfortable talking about the pro's and con's of an internet based business v a more traditional shop based business." Why do u say that? Is it for e tray test? Wat are the pros and cons? (I m embarrased.)
5. What was your own personal style in the interview?
were you confident? And What was ur answer on why you chose audit and deloitte as such? And do they ask u on ur understanding of audit?
These are the ones most important to me, I would appreciate it all my life if you can comment on the above. Desperately waiting for ur reply...
Many Thanx
Nookie
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