Application Process & Interviews at KPMG New Zealand

After the application and abstract thinking tests, I was invited to attend a workshop where we would work through some accounting analysis and problem solving assignments with other applicants. As this was during covid it was all online and observed through video call. After the assignment there was a one on one interview with a number of company employees.

Very good, once you get to the final interview you can tell that they are just looking for good people. Felt very comfortable etc.

N/A - came through a referral

Intensive but so worth it, made me feel at home

Very quick! Went from applying to job offer within 1 week. Interviews were very well organized, and I enjoyed the assessment day.

psychometric testing - hard video recording video interview - virtual, two interviewers, relaxed environment

Good process, communicated throughout

Interviews were good not too confronting/scary

Dont remember much before assessment day, but the highlight is assessment day with a bunch of other grads followed by an interview with a manager.

I had a relatively easy/difference hiring process. I applied late in the year around June. Got a phone call from Emma who was very engaging and nice. Offered me an interview. Went to the WLG office for the interview and met with a partner and manager, good interview they made me feel at ease and welcome. they spoke a lot on the work culture and its upsides, asked me some standard interview questions aswell. I had no assessments expect the pre interview online assessment.

We had to apply online then following that we had an 'assessment day' followed by ann individual interview.

They were good, made you think during assessments. Then talk about work experience as well as hobbies outside of work. Also why great fit for role and company.

The interview process was a great experience, the psychometric testing I found difficult even though I had prepared for them. I thoroughly enjoyed my assessment day and had a lot of fun doing it.

It was a long awaiting process, I was stoked I had received an acceptance but made waiting very stressful.

The interview process was very good, it went smoothly and I felt that it was a very formal and effective way in getting to know the applicant.

One online assessment of various skills. 2 interviews. No assessment day.

What my strengths and weaknesses are, what it is I think an auditor does, and where I see myself in 5 years.

I was just asked questions about what I enjoyed doing in my free time. How I was enjoying uni etc. If I was interviewing for other firms.

Good ones

Questions were based on my degree and more on me as a person.

Questions about overcomming challenges but also questions about how I like to relax like "Would you prefer a summer or winter holiday?"

Uni papers, behavioural questions, why the interest in the job.

Challenges I had faced

Mostly personal/character questions rather than technical/industry questions to see if i'm a good fit.

Standard big 4 interview questions. Cannot remember the exact ones.

Past work experience, why great fit for the role and company

I was asked about describing a bad situation that I had experienced with working and how I resolved it, what I did to improve the situation.

What is the reason that you want to work for KPMG?

1. Motivations. 2. Experience. 3. Interests. 4. Degree.

The best way is through experience, interviewing with multiple companies and learning to become comfortable in those situations. Thinking ahead and having a clear grasp of what you want from the job and where you want it to take you helps you look like you know what you're doing.

Just be themsewlves. Grades and results are not the be all and end all. As long as you show that you are comfortable and confident then you will do well.

Keep calm and keep on keeping on.

Don't try to be someone you're not to try impress the interviewers. They want to know the real you.

Practice psychometric tests Speak from memory or improvise rather than notes in a video recording

Just be true to who you are, you want the job to fit you, not the other way around.

Practice freestyling on random topics and being put on the spot

Understand expectations - the company/interviewers knows grads have 0 experience with auditing so interviewees shouldn't prepare to be asked about technical questions. Rather - prepare to highlight willingness to learn/preparedness to work under pressure/acceptance of longer hours when needed/being a team player etc.

Be yourself and honest in your career goals and future outlook

Be calm and try not to be too stessed out about the whole process

Research the company and division you're applying for

Practice answering questions in the STAR method, situation, task, action, result. Make sure you have questions for the person interviewing you, they like this!

Practice answering questions in an interview setting with family/close friends. Do research online about KPMG and the role they are applying for. Dress like you work at KPMG already. Get a goods night sleep, don't stress too hard over it. Don't be a robot, give authentic and genuine answers.

I definitely would recommend for the candidate to prepare themselves for the interview as how you answer the questions definitely does impact how the firm will see you and the image the interviewers will have about you following the interview,

Be your authentic self and be confident that you have what it takes.