As the fifth-largest network of accounting and consultancy firms in the world, Grant Thornton’s graduate jobs are always in demand. Here are five insider tips for getting a graduate job at Grant Thornton.
The first step before even applying for a graduate job with Grant Thornton is to research the company. You want to make sure they’re the right fit for you. Towards the end of your study, it can be tempting to just apply for graduate jobs everywhere, but you don’t want to end up working somewhere you don’t want to be. Also, showing genuine enthusiasm for an organisation is a great way to make an impression in interviews.
Grant Thornton’s GradAustralia profile spells it out clearly for all students keen to apply, ‘We're looking for well-rounded candidates who connect with our brand, values and culture and want to make a difference right from the start.
When you reach the interview stage, it’s important you can clearly articulate what you know about the company and why you want to work there. A Grant Thornton graduate in Melbourne had this to say when asked for advice on obtaining a position, ‘Do your background research, especially on the culture.’
One of the best things you can do if you’re looking to score a graduate job at Grant Thornton is to complete an internship while you study. The vacation programs take place in January and can give you valuable exposure to the business before you consider a graduate position.
An internship gives you hands-on experience and a chance to see how the organisation works from the inside. You’ll also receive mentoring and development opportunities for the future. Best of all, if you make a good impression you may be offered a graduate position when you complete your studies.
If you don’t get offered a position during an internship, all isn’t lost. You’ll have gained a heap of valuable experience and insight you can use to your advantage when applying. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll walk into a job, but you’ll know a lot more than others who haven’t had that exposure. Petrea Honeyman, Graduate Auditor at Grant Thornton said, ‘I secured my job at Grant Thornton by undertaking vacation work in my second year of university in the audit department. A few months later I was offered a graduate position and started in April 2016.’
Grant Thornton isn’t like a lot of other employers. They’ve got a ‘2020 Strategy’ in place, which is essentially recognising that there needs to be a significant realignment in what people expect from their employers. This includes setting bold gender and diversity targets, generous leave entitlements and allowing staff to structure their work day differently. Needless to say, to win a graduate position with this type of employer you’ll need to do more than recite your academic results.
When explaining the types of people they’re looking for, Grant Thornton states, ‘Especially, we encourage you to be your authentic self, because we know that a broad and diverse mix of team members enriches our workplace and allows us to do more for our clients.’
When you’re going through the recruitment process, don’t be afraid to be yourself. While remembering you’re still in a professional environment, make sure the interviewers get a picture of who you are and what you’re going to bring to the organisation. As a graduate in Sydney said, ‘Just bring your whole self - be yourself and don't shy away from the entire process. Put yourself out there.’
One thing to bear in mind is that you’ll need to be completing a degree that enables you to enter the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Program. As long as you meet that criteria, you’re eligible to apply.
Firstly, you’ll do an online application which includes your CV, cover letter and academic transcript. Following that you’ll take an online assessment which runs for about an hour. Next up is a video interview, and then an assessment centre where you’ll do some group activities and one-on-one interviews.
The next step is an interview with a senior team member from the team you’re applying for. This interview is mostly to determine if you’re a good cultural fit.
The full details will always be set out in Grant Thornton’s graduate program job posting, so ensure you understand the process thoroughly. For further tips on the interview process and questions to expect, we’ve got plenty of information from graduates here.
To be employed at Grant Thornton you’ll need to gain a Chartered Accountant (CA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification. The organisation will support you to do this with mentoring, paid study leave and extensive resources. But it won’t be the only learning you’ll do once employed.
Grant Thornton invests heavily in its staff, offering leadership development programs (some specifically aimed at female staff). They have a clear career path from graduate through to senior management, but it won’t happen without some hard work and good networking. You’ll work on a variety of projects to continually develop your skills.
When being interviewed for a graduate job, make sure you show a keen interest in learning new skills and developing throughout your career. Many Grant Thornton graduates interviewed by Grad Australia had done some travelling, studied abroad or worked overseas in the past. If you’ve had some life-changing experiences either personally or academically, be sure to draw on those for interview answers.
Hopefully, this article gives you some valuable information to help you score a graduate position at Grant Thornton. If you want further help, check out Grant Thornton’s employer profile at GradAustralia where you can access plenty of information to help you out further. Sign up to make sure you don’t miss out on Grant Thornton’s next graduate intake.