Preparing for SEO Interviews Traits that a successful professional services candidate should demonstrate:
- Attention to detail
- Career commitment
- Well-roundedness
- Commercial awareness/experience
- Preparation & Reliability
- Leadership and commitment to community service
- Creative and logical thinking
- Interpersonal sensitivity
- Strong and clear writing skills
Everything you write (CV, cover letter, etc.) should demonstrate this.
- How to prepare for your phone interviews
We will contact you in advance to arrange a suitable time for the interview. Your performance in this interview in conjunction with your test scores and application will determine if you are called for an assessment centre. You should be able to talk in detail about any experience you have listed in your CV and application. Be ready to explain your motivation for joining this industry and the division you have chosen in particular and why you are suitable for this division. It will be an added benefit if you are able to demonstrate all of the listed competencies with examples from your past experience. - How to prepare for your assessment centre
If you are successful in your phone interview we will put you forward for an assessment centre at one of our partner firms. Please find assessment centre process for each of our partner firms below:
Deloitte
E&Y
KPMG (Please look at 3rd and 4th stage processes)
PWC (Please look at step 4)
We would strongly advise you to thoroughly research the partner firm you are to due to be assessed at. You can do this by exploring their websites above to research about the firm, to look for all available resources for preparing for interviews, what competencies they are looking for in candidates, their culture, your chosen division at their firm, etc.
Please note, you will only be required to go through the final assessment centre stage at one of our partner firms (we will advise you of the firm if you are successful with us). You will need to clear this final assessment centre stage in order to be a part of the SEO class and will be placed at this firm for your vacation placement if successful.
- How to prepare for your phone interviews
We will contact you in advance to arrange a suitable time for the interview. Your performance in this interview in conjunction with your test scores and application will determine if you are called for an assessment centre. You should be able to talk in detail about any experience you have listed in your CV and application. Be ready to explain your motivation for joining this industry and the division you have chosen in particular and why you are suitable for this division. It will be an added benefit if you are able to demonstrate all of the listed competencies with examples from your past experience. - How to prepare for your assessment centre
If you are successful in your phone interview we will put you forward for an assessment centre at one of our partner firms. Please find assessment centre process for each of our partner firms below: We would strongly advise you to thoroughly research the partner firm you are to due to assessed at. You can do this by exploring their websites above to research about the firm, to look for all available resources for preparing for interviews, what competencies they are looking for in candidates, their culture, your chosen division at their firm, etc.
Please note, you will only be required to go through the final assessment centre stage at one of our partner firms (we will advise you of the firm if you are successful with us). You will need to clear this final assessment centre stage in order to be a part of the SEO class and will be placed at this firm for your vacation placement if successful.
- Guidance for the case study section of the interview
- Feedback form to use for peer-to-peer Mock interviews (let this guide your interview preparation & practice)
- E-financial Careers - three practice numeracy tests
- Practice Numeracy Tests
- More on Numeracy Tests
- McKinsey's Online Practice Case Study
6. A resource on making the most of mentors and networks
7. Websites It is imperative that you keep yourself updated with the latest news in the business world. We would strongly recommend that you start reading the below websites on a regular basis
- www.accountancyage.com This website is great for being on top of news relating to all our partner firms and the latest news relating to the industry
- http://www.economist.com/ It is a really good idea for students to read the Economist regularly to have a good understanding of what is happening all over the world
- http://www.ft.com/home/uk Read this every day for weeks/months leading up to their assessments.
- The Guardian: www.guardian.co.uk
- The Independent: www.independent.co.uk
- The Times: www.timesonline.co.uk
- The Daily Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk
Eligibility Questions
Q: I am a final year student - may I still apply to SEO-London?
A: The SEO programme is predominantly for penultimate year students. We can only accept applications from final year undergraduates who are intending to pursue a master’s degree directly after graduation. You will need to confirm which master’s programme you are considering when you apply. If you are offered a place on the programme, you will need to provide confirmation of your applications for master’s programmes. Before your internship begins you may need to provide us with a copy of your acceptance letter.
Q: What is SEO London’s grade requirement? A: SEO's minimum grade requirement is equivalent to 'BBB' at A-level (300 UCAS points) and a second upper class (2.1) expected at university. If you are applying for an internship in Consulting you will need at least an ‘ABB’ at A-level (320 UCAS points).
Q: I did not achieve BBB equivalent at A-level and/or am not on track for a 1st/2.1 at university. Can I still apply to SEO London?
A: Applicants who do not achieve a minimum of BBB at A-level or who are not on track for a 1st/2.1 at university will generally not be considered unless there are mitigating circumstances (e.g. medical issues, for which the applicant would have to provide official documentation).
Q: I am an international student who is not studying in the UK at present - can I apply?
A: To be eligible to apply you must have studied within the UK or EU for at least one year and must also be available in person for one of our London assessment centres (held between November and December). All international applicants should be intending to start their careers in London after graduation and remain for at least three years.
Q: I have made a past application to SEO in previous years. Can I still apply for this year’s class?
A: Yes, you are eligible to apply again but you must meet our eligibility criteria (i.e. be in your penultimate year of study) and complete a new application.
Q: I have made an application to SEO USA, am I also eligible to apply to SEO London?
A: Yes, as long as you meet our eligibility criteria. You must have studied or be planning to study in the UK for at least one year and you must also be available in person for one of our London assessment centres (held in November and December). You should also be aware of the key dates and make sure these dates complement your own schedule if you will be studying outside the UK. Application Questions
Q: When is the deadline (for both the application and the letter of recommendation?
A: The deadline for both the application and the letter of recommendation has been extended to 6 December 2009. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible as places on the SEO programme are filled on a rolling basis. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your recommendation provider submits the recommendation letter before the deadline – applications will not be considered without a recommendation letter from a current academic tutor.
Q: To whom should I address my cover letter?
A: You should address your covering letter to Hason Sandhu (Executive Director).
Q: Should I mention all three divisions to which I'm applying in my cover letter?
A: You can specify up to three divisions of interest in your online application but you will primarily be assessed for your first choice division. Your cover letter should describe your interest in your first choice division only. If you are later assessed for your second or third choice, we will contact you for an updated cover letter.
Q: A significant portion of my education has taken place outside of the UK. How do you advise that I fill out the education portion of the application?
A: You should fill out the application as best you can with the international equivalent for each academic qualification. If you are unable to do this please mention so and detail the information on your CV so that we know to refer to that.
Q: I have only applied to a few professional service firms directly at this point, but I plan to apply to more in the next few weeks. Should I include the firms to which I plan to apply on the SEO application?
A: Yes.
Q: When I apply to SEO London, is my application sent to the sponsor firms?
A: No. When you apply to SEO London, your SEO application is only for our office and we do not pass this through to our sponsor firms. If you wish to make applications to our sponsor firms then you must do so directly.
Q: My CV is longer than one page for XXX reason, what should I do?
A: You should submit a one page CV with your SEO application. If for XXX reason you need to submit a longer CV, please be aware that if you are successful in being offered a place on the SEO programme, you would then need to update your CV to be no longer than one page. You should try and cut your CV down appropriately, please use the sample CVs as a guide to the type of layout and things you should be including (found in the application packet you will receive when you open an SEO application).
Reference Questions
Q: Who should provide my letter of recommendation?
A: Recommendations must be provided by a current academic lecturer or tutor (i.e. not a sixth form teacher or former / current employer) who can comment on your academic record.
Q: Can my recommendation provider submit my recommendations via e-mail?
A: The recommendation cannot be submitted to SEO via email as it would not be official. If your provider is unable to complete the letter online via the application system he/she should alternatively post it to us directly and on official university letterhead.
Q: I would like to add an additional letter of reference, but I have already submitted my application. Can SEO make this change for me?
A: In this case, as in any case where you wish to make changes after you have submitted the application, we need to unsubmit your application, and then you will have to resubmit after you have made the changes. We are unable to make any changes to your application on your behalf. Please add in the name of your new recommendation provider (then you can select an online recommendation or hard copy by post) and then re-submit.
Q: How will I know if SEO London has received my letter of reference?
A: You will be able to go back into your application and check that the letter has been submitted by using your PIN. You are also able to send a reminder to the provider through your application if you think too much time has passed and you want to ensure that it is sent. **Once your application says the reference has been submitted, please take this as confirmation that we have it stored in our system.** SEO London views the same screen that you view, so it does not help you to call us to confirm whether your reference has been received.
Technical Problems/Questions
Q: I lost my PIN. Can you look it up for me?
A: No. You should go onto the application website and request that your PIN be sent to you (press the search button). If this fails you need to contact technical support via the website. SEO outsources the application technology, so we do not retain this type of information at the SEO office. Application Strategy Questions & Tips from SEO London
Q: Should I make applications directly to the firms as well? Will this help or hurt my chances of getting an internship in a professional service firm this summer?
A: SEO encourages you to make applications directly to the firms that most interest you. Please keep a few factors in mind as you devise your application strategy:
• SEO will not be able to place you in any firm where your direct application has been rejected.
• We would therefore advise you to pay close attention to the screening criteria that a bank details for those interested in applying (in particular, the academic grades required at A-level, university, etc.). Given the extremely high number of internship applications most firms receive, these grade requirements can often be very high and therefore result in your application being automatically rejected if you do not meet them.
• We always recommend that you make direct applications in addition to your SEO application to make sure you maximise your chances of gaining an internship.
Q: What should I do to improve my chances of being accepted into the SEO London Internship Programme and/or directly to a professional service firm?
A: We have compiled a packet of resources that contains detailed information about what you need to do to prepare for applications and interviews to SEO and to sponsor firms.
