How I bungled KPMG Recruitment at the Final Stage
Dear Jarus,
I am graduate of Biochemistry from Ebonyi State University, I have always wanted to join kpmg as a graduate trainee ever since I heard of it.
So I applied and started the recruitment process. Aptitude test was successful, BAT was successful still, I did my documentation, went for assessment centre. I didn’t get a success/regret mail after AC, but was actually invited for a Partner Interview, which was successful.
I was then invited for an interview with the head of audit division and it was Unsuccessful. From my end, I was a bit nervous as i arrived the venue late due to traffic congestion, but I felt I had landed the only job i ever wanted.
Now I’m shattered, trying to pick up and start afresh.Please sir What do you think went wrong after coming that close to landing the job?.
What can I do to improve on me, as I clock 26 in less than a month, which the age limit for most great jobs.
Thanks
Joe
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Dear Joe,
I can feel your pain. Coming close to a dream job and losing it at the last stage can be painful.
First, there is a positive from this: For you to have gone that far, including scaling partner interview, shows you are not dull. That should boost your confidence in future interviews.
Second, you know the likely cause of your bungling the Head of Department interview, which is traffic-induced nervousness. That means you need to factor in traffic time in planning your movement in future interviews. Very important.
Third, it might not totally be your nervousness that caused you the final stage bungling. I expect the Head of Audit to ask some specific questions relating to the role. Did you bother to review some specific questions like, “Why audit?”, “What is audit about?”. Why I don’t expect that you will be asked rigorous technical questions, these may be a deal breaker to the HoD of the department you are to be posted to. I have not said this was the cause, but this was a possibility too. Don’t lose guard until you get the job. Prepare for every stage with thoroughness.
Yes, KPMG and other Big 4 have 26 years of age as the limit for entry level jobs, there are many other companies that have higher age restriction, or no age restriction at all. A good number of oil companies don’t use age, or use as high as 28 when they use.
So, don’t be too worried. I have a friend that was rejected by a small investment management firm but went on to get job in the most sought after company in Nigeria – Shell.
Imagine if he had been demoralized by the rejection by the far smaller firm.
So, pick up the lessons, move on. Almost everyone has received reject email at some job in their job quest.
All the best.
Jarus
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So sorry to hear that–for you to get through all the stages, it means that you are good enough for anything. I hear that KPMG has the hardest aptitude tests, so its a testament to your skill level. It’s normal to feel down after something like this happens, but just keep on applying for different things, and prepare extensively for an interview by researching the company, and the department, including publications they make etc, so that one would be prepared and be able to overcome interview nerves.
If I may ask, what questions did the partners and the HoD ask you? I am preparing for a similar interview myself so that I can learn
This writer was just me some four years back as I had thought I have gotten the job having passed all the stages including partner’s interview only to be turned down at the last interview.
I recall how I put a call to Jarus on the eve of the final interview, how he guided me on how to answer some likely questions and what have you. Alas! I was too confident and became nervous and even before the end of the interview I knew I wasn’t going to make it.
However, painful as it was, I never allowed it to draw me back as I picked up myself and moved on. I would later get a banking job the same year. I still have my mind in Audit firms though.
All the best brother.