Milkround Offers 2013/2014

CommerceKid

easylad wrote: »

Hi Aine.. I had offers from Big 4. In the end went with PwC. Deloitte were REALLY REALLY NICE.. just gut instinct. My advice: Choose where you think you would fit in the best ! (Along with other factors such as the way they treat staff etc) Goodluck and hopefully will see u in PwC !

I ended up choosing PwC too!
I went full circle, I started off with my gut feeling of PwC and was very close to picking Deloitte, but their bigger auditing dept and the treatment they offered all candidates thru-out the application process swung me.

I feel they invested a lot from the get-go! They really had a strong presence on campus too with networking talks and application talks well before the recruitment process was even in full swing... A far bigger presence than any other of the big four, I think I would put EY as a close second in terms of this support (In UCC).

Gael23

I got a really good feeling from pwc too. It looks like a great place to work as well

Aine20

Just signed my Deloitte contract. Heres to hoping I made the right decision 😊

April O Neill II

cat_xx wrote: »

Got an email from GT saying they were reviewing tax applications and will be in touch.

Hey cat, hear anything from GT yet?

cat_xx

April O Neill II wrote: »

Hey cat, hear anything from GT yet?

No not a peep! You? Got another one of those emails from RSM this evening.

April O Neill II

cat_xx wrote: »

No not a peep! You? Got another one of those emails from RSM this evening.

Which RSM email was that?

cat_xx

April O Neill II wrote: »

Which RSM email was that?

Just that they received my application and will be in touch.

April O Neill II

cat_xx wrote: »

Just that they received my application and will be in touch.

Oh gotcha.

April O Neill II

PFO from Smith & Williamson, by mail no less! I wish I could score an interview with one other firm. KPMG were the only ones who bit, and they let go. Maybe the others firms would like me if they got to know me. :pac:

xiongnu

Maybe you should apply for some UK positions.

unknown1990

Hi guys, does anyone know if it's ok to physically go in to Deloitte with your letter of acceptance? I know I'm leaving this very late. Thanks!

April O Neill II

xiongnu wrote: »

Maybe you should apply for some UK positions.

Trolololol.

And if not, good luck to you in your accounting career if you find it this hard to process information...

spillit67

I got an offer from one of the Big 4 in the past couple of days. They would have been my first choice but the fact it took them 6 weeks to get back to me means I'm out on them as I accepted one of the other ones. Nothing to do with feeling aggrieved that I clearly wasn't first choice for them, just the fact that it took them so long to get back to me. When they say in an interview they'll let you know in the next week then I'd appreciate feedback within a week. If I'm on a shortlist I'd prefer to be told.

April O Neill II

spillit67 wrote: »

I got an offer from one of the Big 4 in the past couple of days. They would have been my first choice but the fact it took them 6 weeks to get back to me means I'm out on them as I accepted one of the other ones. Nothing to do with feeling aggrieved that I clearly wasn't first choice for them, just the fact that it took them so long to get back to me. When they say in an interview they'll let you know in the next week then I'd appreciate feedback within a week. If I'm on a shortlist I'd prefer to be told.

Why didn't you enquire sooner about the outcome of your interview? Can't understand why people don't do this.

spillit67

April O Neill II wrote: »

Why didn't you enquire sooner about the outcome of your interview? Can't understand why people don't do this.

Just like yourself with London, not everybody has to do that.

My attitude is simply that if they have an interest in you then they should get back to you like they say they would in the interview. If not it's all for yourself and wanting to get some feedback.

April O Neill II

spillit67 wrote: »

Just like yourself with London, not everybody has to do that.

My attitude is simply that if they have an interest in you then they should get back to you like they say they would in the interview. If not it's all for yourself and wanting to get some feedback.

They've probably got some offer rejections back at this stage and probably couldn't promise you anything until they knew where they stood, so IMO the onus, like any interview, is on you to get feedback for yourself. I found out myself in the week after my KPMG that I was in the 'Yes' pile for if places become available, and saved myself a lot of wondering. Do what you wanna do, I just don't really get it.

spillit67

April O Neill II wrote: »

They've probably got some offer rejections back at this stage and probably couldn't promise you anything until they knew where they stood, so IMO the onus, like any interview, is on you to get feedback for yourself. I found out myself in the week after my KPMG that I was in the 'Yes' pile for if places become available, and saved myself a lot of wondering. Do what you wanna do, I just don't really get it.

I'm well aware of that hence my OP:rolleyes:. However, when they say they will get back to you ASAP you appreciate it if they keep their word.

April O Neill II

spillit67 wrote: »

I'm well aware of that hence my OP:rolleyes:. However, when they say they will get back to you ASAP you appreciate it if they keep their word.

I agree, but it's an employer's market right now, so they don't really care if they piss potential employees off. Plenty more where that came from!

spillit67

April O Neill II wrote: »

I agree, but it's an employer's market right now, so they don't really care if they piss potential employees off. Plenty more where that came from!

The Big 4 and the ones just behind them are still in competition.

April O Neill II

spillit67 wrote: »

The Big 4 and the ones just behind them are still in competition.

They still have a huge choice of excellent candidates, way more than their combined available places. A far cry from the boom years. They really were competing seriously with each other then.

country slicker999

Anyone accept KPMG audit offer in Dub???

April O Neill II

So, out of interest, did anyone hear back from Grant Thornton re: tax?

Or hear anything at all from RBK?

jubella

country slicker999 wrote: »

Anyone accept KPMG audit offer in Dub???

Yeah, me!

Accounting89

April O Neill II wrote: »

So, out of interest, did anyone hear back from Grant Thornton re: tax?

Or hear anything at all from RBK?

Hey, I got an email from Grant Thorton acknowleging my application there a while back but heard nothing since.
I also did an interview with RBK but did not get a position.

So far my outcomes have been;
KPMG; Interview Unsuccessful
Deloitte; Interview Unsuccessful
PWC; Interview Unsuccessful
EY; PFO straight up - my dislike of them must have been evident in my application
BDO; Interview Unsuccessful
Mazars: PFO Straight up - again half hearted application
RBK; Interview Unsuccessful
Baker Tilly; Interview Unsuccessful
Grant Thorton; Application Acknowledged
RSM FGS; Application Acknowledged
Moore Stephans; no word
Crowehorwath; no word

Like you, I have applied for tax in each firm although I'm beginning to think my personality stinks, I don't think it would be as bad if I didn't get as many interviews.

cat_xx

Accounting89 wrote: »

Hey, I got an email from Grant Thorton acknowleging my application there a while back but heard nothing since.
I also did an interview with RBK but did not get a position.

So far my outcomes have been;
KPMG; Interview Unsuccessful
Deloitte; Interview Unsuccessful
PWC; Interview Unsuccessful
EY; PFO straight up - my dislike of them must have been evident in my application
BDO; Interview Unsuccessful
Mazars: PFO Straight up - again half hearted application
RBK; Interview Unsuccessful
Baker Tilly; Interview Unsuccessful
Grant Thorton; Application Acknowledged
RSM FGS; Application Acknowledged
Moore Stephans; no word
Crowehorwath; no word

Like you, I have applied for tax in each firm although I'm beginning to think my personality stinks, I don't think it would be as bad if I didn't get as many interviews.

You are getting interviews so you are doing something right! If you are still in college I suggest you go to career services and talk to them about doing a mock interview? Because most of these interviews are competency based and they are looking for you to follow a format for answering questions!

Accounting89

Yeah I think I will do that if I get any more.
I think my problem is I was too fortcoming and honest about personnal circumstances that have put me at a disadvantage. I probably should have kept my mouth shut but I thought honesty was the best policy, (I still do, it just dosn't always work).
Thanks though!

April O Neill II

Accounting89 wrote: »

Hey, I got an email from Grant Thorton acknowleging my application there a while back but heard nothing since.
I also did an interview with RBK but did not get a position.

I didn't hear anything for RBK, didn't even get a PFO. So take heart.

You got a LOT of interviews, actually! I only got the one and was unsuccessful.

cat_xx

Accounting89 wrote: »

Yeah I think I will do that if I get any more.
I think my problem is I was too fortcoming and honest about personnal circumstances that have put me at a disadvantage. I probably should have kept my mouth shut but I thought honesty was the best policy, (I still do, it just dosn't always work).
Thanks though!

Definitely do! I did it and I found it very beneficial. Also I do think personal circumstances can be off putting depending on what they are. I know from my own experience that saying it didn't work in my favor!

cat_xx

BDO called me earlier and offered me a job! Can't believe it!

April O Neill II

cat_xx wrote: »

BDO called me earlier and offered me a job! Can't believe it!

Wow! Someone must have turned down their offer.

cat_xx

April O Neill II wrote: »

Wow! Someone must have turned down their offer.

No a new position opened up to start in january!

April O Neill II

cat_xx wrote: »

No a new position opened up to start in january!

Ooh, yes, I saw that advertised. Well done! Are you finished college?

cat_xx

April O Neill II wrote: »

Ooh, yes, I saw that advertised. Well done! Are you finished college?

Yep finished last may! Only decided to go down the tax route recently!

April O Neill II

cat_xx wrote: »

Yep finished last may! Only decided to go down the tax route recently!

It's great to not have to wait until next Autumn.

freema

what department was the job in?

April O Neill II

Accounting89 wrote: »

Yeah I think I will do that if I get any more.
I think my problem is I was too fortcoming and honest about personnal circumstances that have put me at a disadvantage. I probably should have kept my mouth shut but I thought honesty was the best policy, (I still do, it just dosn't always work).
Thanks though!

Accounting89, did you ever look for feedback?

You got loads of interview, so clearly you give good application.

You just need to get better at selling yourself. I had difficult personal circumstances a few years back which lengthened my degree and seriously effected my grades for a number of years (a serious long-term illness) but I found that honestly was the best policy for me (within reason, I'm not going to bore them with my life story). I got a very good graduate job. (different discipline, I'm changing careers)

It's likely you were shortlisted for some of the positions. Find out! And places come up later in the year too.

Accounting89

April O Neill II wrote: »

Accounting89, did you ever look for feedback?

You got loads of interview, so clearly you give good application.

You just need to get better at selling yourself. I had difficult personal circumstances a few years back which lengthened my degree and seriously effected my grades for a number of years (a serious long-term illness) but I found that honestly was the best policy for me (within reason, I'm not going to bore them with my life story). I got a very good graduate job. (different discipline, I'm changing careers)

It's likely you were shortlisted for some of the positions. Find out! And places come up later in the year too.

Hey, yeah I sought feedback from them all but only recieved it from a few firms.
My feedback was very vaugue and generic but at the time of my interviews my daughter was only 8 weeks old, so I cant help but feel that that had a major weighting in their judgement, esp considering the lack of detail in my feedback.
I have since been told by a lecturer and careers advisor, (both off the record) to leave all personal details outside the interview room so to speak but I naively thought honesty was the best policy.

April O Neill II

I don't follow, what's wrong with you having a young daughter? Maybe sometimes it's good to leave out personal details, but disclosing relevant personal always worked in my favour, because I turned it into a positive ie. getting a very good degree against the odds.

Accounting89

That's actually exactly what I tried to do, I attempted to emphasise my determination to succeed through that fact that I'm back in college and keeping my average up dispite everything.
I'm not accusing any firm of discrimination but I guess it's reasonably to have a natural preference for candidates with less restrictions or at least I'm assuming so.
I will meet with the careers advisor before any further interviews for advice but I think I will still be honest in my interviews, at least I'll have a clear conscience and whatever happens happens

cat_xx

freema wrote: »

what department was the job in?

Tax.

Gael23

What happens if you miss out on a CAP1 exemption? Are you pretty screwed?

April O Neill II

ryanf1 wrote: »

What happens if you miss out on a CAP1 exemption? Are you pretty screwed?

Which one? Some people go into training contracts with no exemptions.

Gael23

Financial Accounting. I messed up an exam yesterday which means I will fall short of the criteria.

April O Neill II

ryanf1 wrote: »

Financial Accounting. I messed up an exam yesterday which means I will fall short of the criteria.

I dunno, I mean, I know of someone who got a training contract coming from a science degree!

AdamD

Check the details of your contract

jubella

ryanf1 wrote: »

Financial Accounting. I messed up an exam yesterday which means I will fall short of the criteria.

Can you not repeat it to get the exemption?

Gael23

jubella wrote: »

Can you not repeat it to get the exemption?

No I dont think so. You need an average grade over certain modules to qualify for exemptions so for me to get Financial Accountiing I needed a B2 to bring my average to where it needed to be and I dont think I got that.
If I fail it, which I dont think I did, then I can repeat but not otherwise

jubella

ryanf1 wrote: »

No I dont think so. You need an average grade over certain modules to qualify for exemptions so for me to get Financial Accountiing I needed a B2 to bring my average to where it needed to be and I dont think I got that.
If I fail it, which I dont think I did, then I can repeat but not otherwise

Ah ok, I know in my college we can repeat even if we don't fail in order to get exemptions - it's probably different in other colleges though. Either way go to your department and ask, no harm!

hamm

I applied to all of the top ten accounting firms and a countless number of industry graduate jobs during the milkrounds. Unfortunately, I only got one last minute interview in which I was rejected.

Being honest, I have found the complete lack of interest in me quite surprising because I have good grades (2.1,2.1 & 1.1 in 1st - 3rd year) and I held managerial roles in accounting and finance positions. I feel the problem lies with my 300 point Leaving Cert.

When I was applying for graduate programmes during the Milkrounds I didn't tick the box to state that I would be interested in doing a Masters in Accounting, but I've slowly come to the realization that it's probably a good option if I don't secure a trainee contract before my final 4th year exams in May. But I can't afford to do a masters without funding from a firm. I know this is a long shot but does anyone know if any of the big firms would be likely to consider interviewing me on the basis of giving me sponsorship towards a masters if I contacted them and told them that my circumstances have changed and that I'm interested in doing a masters, or has that ship sailed a long time ago?

April O Neill II

Hi hamm, did you apply to the Microsoft grad programme, out of interest? Did you hear anything back?

As to your query... I dunno. You not ticking the box might not be why you didn't get more interviews. I made around 15 applications in total (~ 7 at the milkround time and some later ones) - I have 480 LC points, including a higher B in Maths and English, a 2.1 degree (science though) and am doing an Accounting PgDip which gives me a number of exemptions.

I got one interview, with KPMG (unsuccessful). Most firms, I didn't even hear back from. It's likely my applications just weren't up to scratch. But I wouldn't contact firms that didn't give me an interview on the basis that my application fell short. They made their decision.

Training contracts tend to be advertised again later in the year, so I'd focus your attention on that, if I were you! It is likely that your LC might be an issue too, but I don't know. They do seem a tad hung up on points, I think because it shows you're consistent across different types of exams, I guess.