So you've filled in the general application form and have been invited to complete EY's online assessments... What next?
We've compiled a top-down view of EY's 2020 application process. Here's all you need to know about each stage of the application and what EY are looking for...
Stage one: Learning for a Changing World Online Assessment (all programmes)
Typically takes an hour to complete
Whilst this can be done at your own pace, we would recommend you to complete it ASAP due to the high number of applicants every year.
You will explore this assessment with videos, articles, multiple-choice questions, and situational ranking exercises.
During this assessment, you’ll get a taste of what it might be like to work at EY and an idea of the sorts of projects that could be presented to you during your programme.
The assessment will allow them to ‘identify your key strengths, the things that you’re naturally good at.’
If you are part of UpReach or BrightNetwork, you may be eligible to be fast-tracked directly to the next stage – Numerical Assessment!
Stage two: Numerical Assessment (all programmes)
Must be completed in one sitting and is a timed activity.
Usually takes about 15-20 minutes to complete depending on your service line and specific programme. Technically the assessment is "untimed" but historically, people who have been unable to complete the test in 15-20 minutes will be screened out at this stage.
Basic GCSE maths is required for this stage, therefore revise topics such as percentages, ratios, and averages (Find out more on how to prepare here: https://universalcclub.wixsite.com/website/post/psychometric-tests-a-guide-to-numerical-reasoning).
Make sure you complete this stage as fast as you can whilst maintaining high accuracy (sometimes it can put you in a higher percentile if you don't answer all questions but answer almost all the one's you did correctly - if you rush and start guessing, it could bring your score down significantly).
After this assessment, you will receive personalised feedback on the strengths you displayed in stage one and two, as well as areas that you can improve on
Stage three: Job Simulation (all programmes)
This stage is all about giving you a feel for real scenarios you might face in your selected role at EY.
Different service lines will have different job simulations
There are 14 questions in total and they will come in different forms, including videos, written responses (emails), and ranking questions.
The video responses are timed but you will be given time to prepare your answer.
This stage should take around an hour to complete and should be done in one sitting.
Due to the nature of this stage, it is vital that you are wearing suitable, smart clothes as you are basically re-enacting workplace scenarios!
Stage four: EY Experience Day (most programmes)
Due to COVID-19, this stage will take place online
The event is an opportunity to show off your strengths and a chance to meet with EY trainees, senior leaders, and other candidates.
There are three activities:
1. Challenge Zone – You will be given 5 mathematical questions and 1 email task to complete within 30 minutes.
2. Innovate Zone – This is a group case study exercise where you will be given a case study of a failing business and articles of different technologies available as ideas that could help the business. Your task is to come up with a final recommendation with your group after a discussion. Finally, you are required to write a short reflection on this task.
3. Think Zone – This is a one on one task with an interviewer from your service line. You will be presented with several scenarios and the interviewer will ask questions such as: how do you feel in this situation and what would you do in this situation.
Stage five: Partner Interview (some programmes)
This stage is normally required in all graduate and apprenticeship programmes
Your interview will take place virtually over a video interviewing platform.
You will be given a selection of topics that you can choose to talk about in your discussion, as well as questions about your motivations for the role that you have applied for.
Usually lasts for around an hour.
And Finally...THE OFFER!
Here are a bunch of recruiter tips for each stage of the application that we have compiled in order for you to feel more prepared.
Recruiter tips
Stage One and Two
When responding to the questions, respond based on what feels most natural to you, not what you think they want to hear.
When completing stage one, take your time. People fall into the trap of thinking that SJTs are easy and that you can rush through them; if you skipping the video material or not reading the articles thoroughly, you increase the margin for error. Plus some of the responses are worded in a way that is designed to trip you up. Don't fall into the traps!
Set aside some quiet time to complete the task
Don’t forget to have a calculator, a pen, and paper for stage two.
Practice as much as you can for the numerical reasoning tests - even those who don't tend struggle as much with maths have the potential to fail at this stage if they've not practiced answering these types of questions in such a short period of time.
Job Simulation
Find a comfortable and quiet place to complete the assessment.
Wear clothes that you would wear to work, smart is best.
Complete all the practice questions which you are given access to at the start of the assessment. They will help you get used to the technology.
Research your service line and EY as a firm e.g. projects that they are doing right now.
EY Experience Day
Again, wear clothes that you would wear to
Make sure you have a good internet connection
Practice numerical reasoning tests before the day
Read up on the latest technology integrations on the EY website’s insight section
Be yourself.
Don’t forget to smile and show positivity - sounds obvious but nerves tend to get the better of us and can make you appear unenthusiastic about the role. Show them how happy you are to be there!
Partner Interview
Just like an in-person interview, prepare in advance - get to know EY like the back of your hand. It will help you to sound convincing and interested if you have tangible examples to relate to the firm.
Read through the assessment reports generated from the earlier stages to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
Read a lot. Predominantly on technology as it is a hot topic for EY.
Practice the presentation that you have prepared with as many people as possible so that you will sound more natural in the interview.
Even if you are unsuccessful at this stage, don’t forget to ask for feedback, which will help you with future applications.
Come with questions - and NOT stuff that you could have found on the internet, or more specifically, on their website. For this, we recommend thinking about what is genuinely important to you when considering which company you want to work for - ask questions relating to this.
Always remember, perfectionism is not a "weakness" - answers like these demonstrate an inability to critically and constructively self-reflect.
Resources:
GradInsights have a really detailed overview of the types of questions that have historically been asked during EY's assessment: https://gradinsight.co.uk/ey-leaning-for-a-changing-world/. Don't take it as gospel (because the questions will no doubt change), but definitely use their examples as a practice reference.
As mentioned in our Guide to Numerical Reasoning blog (https://universalcclub.wixsite.com/website/post/psychometric-tests-a-guide-to-numerical-reasoning), there are a number of great sites where you can purchase practice test packages for all stages of the application (from NRTs right to video interview prep).
Remember, before you start the assessments, if you have any learning disabilities, mitigating circumstances, or any health conditions that you should receive adjustments for, please make sure to give EY a call on +44 800 289 208 or send an email to eystudentrecruitment@uk.ey.com. The team are there to make sure your circumstances are taken into consideration and disclosing this will mean that you're able to get extra time or any other reasonable adjustments that you would usually get for exams - job applications are no different!
And that's it... We hope that this article has been helpful and we wish you all the best in your application to EY!
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