Grad Hack
5 steps to KPMG
For Graduates and Vacationers
If only your exams were this easy.
In this guide, we give you the questions we’ll ask,
as well as tips for the answers.
And from application to offer, it’s just five simple steps.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
1. Apply online
It’s effortless. And it should take you less than an hour to
complete. Remember, it’s important to take your time and do
your research. We’re after all types of Grads, those who know
who they are and even those who don’t.
So be yourself, be clear and be specific. Here are some specifics
we’re looking for:
Motivation
Actual skills
If you’ve chosen a business group, why did you
choose it? Read about the different types of work
on the career choices page and be specific about
your reasons.
You’ve studied a lot and you’re smart. That’s a good
start. We’ll need to see your academic transcript.
But we also want to know what else you’re good at?
Do you have special people skills? Do you speak
languages, for example? Often, it’s the soft skills that
set grads apart.
Real life stuff
Mastering behavioural interviews
We want to get to know you and what matters most
to you. What do you do outside your studies? What are
you passionate about? Sport? Community?
Attitude
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
High marks are good, but attitude is everything.
How can you demonstrate your drive, enthusiasm and
positive approach? As well as a desire to learn, grow
and continuously improve?
Eligibility
Make sure you’re applying for the right opportunity.
• For the 1–2 day development Foundations Program,
you’ll be a university student in the first year of a
3-year degree, second year of a 4-year degree, or
third year of a 5-year degree.
• For the Vacation Program, you’ll be a university
student in your penultimate year.
• For the Graduate Program, you’ll be in your final year,
or already graduated.
• For International Students, check out the
dedicated page.
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
2. It’s game time
Next, you’ll be invited to compete in our game-based assessment and
values profile. No, we’re not looking for gaming masters. This assessment
is used to gauge your ability to make smart decisions based on available
information. Our Values profile helps us to understand what key factors you
value at work. But don’t worry, there is no right or wrong here. And they only
take 10 minutes each.
We need the results to progress your application to the next selection stage,
so complete these assessments within 48 hours. These assessments are
fair, objective and standardised. You’ll receive extra information by email
beforehand, but if you’d like to know more, contact Revelian or call them
on 1300 137 937.
Mastering behavioural interviews
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
Mastering behavioural interviews
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
3. Screen time
After you’ve played your games successfully, we’ll send you a link to record
an online video interview. This gives us a chance to meet you face-to-face
(sort of) and learn more about why you’ve applied and the particular business
group you’re interested in. When the interview is confirmed by email, you’ll
need to record it within 72 hours. If you can’t do this, let the Grad Recruiter
know ASAP. We watch them in the order they’re recorded and there is no
lucky last.
What we’re looking for
The video won’t take long. It’s just five questions
about you. And you can practice using the video tool
beforehand, so you can deliver a performance that
would make Hugh Jackman proud. We want to see
your communication style, the way you present and
your professionalism. So (obviously!) avoid slang and
swear words. Dress neatly and be aware of stuff like
your posture, gestures and what can be seen in the
background. Set it up so you won’t be interrupted and
make sure the lighting is adequate (tip: head-height,
even lighting). Be yourself, smile and maintain
eye contact.
Top tip
Preparation is key. Research KPMG as well as the
role you want and make sure you practise. We use
behavioural interviewing, so make sure you read the
information on the last page about the STAR technique
and have examples ready. Think about the KPMG
Global Behavioural Capabilities – what they mean and
how they can be demonstrated.
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
Mastering behavioural interviews
4. Come on in
Now you’re getting close! We want you to come into one of our offices
for an information session and interview. The interview will be with
a partner or director and a manager from the business group you’re
interested in. It will last about 45 minutes and, like the video interview,
will be behavioural-based, asking about behaviours that matter to KPMG.
What we’ll ask
About your life, your time at school and/or university,
your extra-curricular activities and work experience.
We find out more about you, and you find out more
about us. You’ll meet our recent graduates and hear
about the benefits of working at KPMG and get to ask
any questions you like.
We will ask
About your motivations to apply at KPMG, your choice
of business group and your career goals. It will help to
think about what you have already done in your life to
date to make your career goals a reality.
Stress less
Give yourself plenty of time to get lost, miss your bus,
etc. Arrive 5–10 minutes early. Wear business clothes
and practise with family and friends. Ask questions.
This shows interest and enthusiasm.
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
5. It’s a deal
Congratulations! You’ll be contacted by KPMG and receive
an online offer of employment with information about your
division, position title, start date, and salary.
All you have to do is review the contract in full, contact the
Grad team with any questions, and accept our offer online
within the five day turnaround time.
So exciting. Welcome aboard.
Mastering behavioural interviews
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
Mastering behavioural interviews
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
Mastering behavioural interviews
Behavioural interviews are about the skills and behaviours you’ve
demonstrated in real situations in the past. The STAR response method
helps make sure you provide the right detail in your response and don’t
get lost in ‘story telling’. It helps you create a concise response, but with
enough detail to provide explanation for your actions.
Situation /
Task
Background/context in which you took action.
Action
What specifically did you do or say in this situation?
This is the most important bit as it shows us how you
demonstrated the skill or behaviour.
Result
What were the results of your action(s), what did you learn?
We use behavioural interviewing because it’s fair, objective,
factual, relevant to the role and allows consistency across
interviews. It means we can assess candidates in a
standardised way. Our people demonstrate the KPMG
behaviours everyday. So it makes sense for us to look for
these behaviours in future team members.
If you can provide examples of when you’ve demonstrated
one of our behaviours in the past, we can be confident that
you’ll keep doing it, and do well at KPMG. Avoid talking
about ‘we’ and generalising. This is about you individually.
You can use examples from all parts of your life: sports,
part-time work, community work etc, it doesn’t have to be
uni or business related.
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
KPMG Global Behavioural Capabilities
Below are the Behavioural Capabilities we recruit for:
Delivers Quality
Makes an Impact
Are you an organised person? Do you like to take a
structured approach to your work? Are you a forward
thinker with the ability to multi-task? Do you strive to
uphold a high standard of work? Think of the times you
have achieved exceptional results despite challenging
situations.
Do you take pride in your interpersonal skills?
Are you a good listener? Are you an individual?
Are you confident? Are you passionate? Have you been
able to convince or influence others to take action?
Drives Collaboration and Inclusion
Do you thrive working in a team? Do you like to build
deep relationships? Can you think of a time that you’ve
delivered an exceptional experience? Think about when
you’ve worked collaboratively in a group to deliver
excellent outcomes.
Strives for Continual Improvement
Mastering behavioural interviews
Do you set goals? Do you achieve your goals?
Do you look for ways to challenge and develop
yourself? Are you driven? Think of a time when you
have demonstrated your resilience in the face of
a setback.
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Exercises Professional Judgement
Contacts
Seizes Business Opportunities
Do you have a knack for spotting an opportunity?
Do you understand the commercial world?
Are you working on your network? Does going the
extra mile for the customer give you a thrill?
Demonstrates Innovation and Curiosity
Are you curious about the world? Are you a disruptive
thinker? Do you embrace change? Are you OK with
ambiguity? Think about times when you have added
value with innovative and practical solutions.
Do you ask questions? Do you enjoy researching?
Are ethics important to you? Are you a big picture
thinker? Do you substantiate your claims? Think about
experiences where you have demonstrated integrity
and objectivity. © 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Grad Hack
1. Apply online
2. It’s game time
3. Screen time
4. Come on in
5. It’s a deal
Start here. Go anywhere.
Find out what your path will look like at:
kpmg.com/au/grads
Email us:
[email protected]
Mastering behavioural interviews
Global Behavioural Capabilities
Contacts
The information contained in this document is of a general nature and is not intended to address the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular individual or entity. It is
provided for information purposes only and does not constitute, nor should it be regarded in any manner whatsoever, as advice and is not intended to influence a person in making a
decision, including, if applicable, in relation to any financial product or an interest in a financial product. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be
no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate
professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
To the extent permissible by law, KPMG and its associated entities shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, defects or misrepresentations in the information or for any loss or damage
suffered by persons who use or rely on such information (including for reasons of negligence, negligent misstatement or otherwise).
© 2017 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”),
a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
February 2017. N15060PPC