Blog

How to succeed in the future of work | EY Debut Live

What are the five vital skills that we'll all need in the future of work? We invited EY along to divulge all of their secrets in our most recent Debut Live.
Kim Connor Streich
Kim Connor Streich
property_managment

What are the necessary skills needed to thrive in the workplace of tomorrow?

We invited along EY to discuss their take on the subject in our latest Debut Live. Recruitment Advisor Helen and Assurance Apprentice Jake took questions from our listeners, and delved into the five skills that EY value the most:  Creativity, cognitive flexibility, emotional intelligence, collaboration and complex problem solving.

If you missed out on the fun, then no worries, we’ve got a copy for you to catch up on, plus a whole heap of extra questions from our viewers. You can watch the whole livestream below, or alternatively catch up on the  DebutLive section of the app.

Does it matter if I get a 2:2?

We operate an open access to all policy and we don’t screen out any applications based on your academic performance at GCSE, A-Level or degree. We will assess your suitability using a number of tools throughout our market-leading recruitment process.

We want to ensure that you have long-term success at EY, so your academics do form part of our overall hiring decision as we will look at them in the context of your performance in the up-front stages of our recruitment process.

Do you have part-time jobs?

Unfortunately, we don’t offer any part-time student roles. We do however offer flexible working arrangements like home-working, generous parental leave and 25 days annual leave, all of which help to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

I took part in a questionnaire about whether EY is the right place for me to work. Should I take that result to heart or apply for the graduate scheme anyway?

This tool is just a helpful guide – don’t let it put you off applying! We’d just advise that you do some more research into our values and culture to find out if EY is the right place for you.   There’s a number of other tools on the website, such as the Pathfinder quiz too!

Are EY assessments competency based, strength based or situational?

Our assessments are strengths based. Here’s some helpful tips about what we look for.

What are some of the successful initiatives that EY is using to attract clients?

Our EY people, teams and innovation in the sector are definitely key to success, showing our clients how we are embracing technology to improve efficiency.

Can you convince me why an apprenticeship is a better route than university?

An apprenticeship is better because:

  • You will get experience of learning on the job whilst learning the theory and studying for your qualification
  • You earn whilst learning! No debt.
  • And at the end of the apprenticeship, you will have the same (or an even better) qualification, plus you will have the experience. Currently experience is a lot better to have than qualifications!

What opportunities are in place for current and prospective EY students to further develop their skills to keep up with technological advancements?

We offer a Discover EY work experience programme based on Digital Disruption. This is for students currently completing their first  year at University and applications have now closed for 2019. Keep an eye on the website for future recruitment updates.

We’ve also got some useful content here on the website.  You could also read business journals and tech magazines to keep up with the changing market.

What other types of jobs do you offer for graduates? 

We offer a number of roles for those who have a graduate degree. We’d advise taking a look on our experienced hire website

Soft skills such as emotional intelligence are becoming more important in a work place. How can graduates develop these skills?

We’ve got some useful information online to support you with developing these skills. As you progress through one of our student programmes, you’ll also gain support and training and receive regular feedback supporting you to improve as you progress.

Do you work in an international environment or for British firms only?

Yes, as we are a global organisation, there are opportunities to work with international companies, particularly in our Financial services organisation.

Do you think a CFA the best way into Financial Services?

In my opinion, no. It may give you a head start but you need to be chartered in accounting (which can be done through joining one of the Big Four). I’d advise to do your research into lots of options to ensure it’s the right route for you.

How can you take on a leadership role without being too overbearing?

With leadership comes great responsibility, but it’s also important to involve others in your decision making. For example, if you’re leading on a group project, ask your teammates what part of the project they’d prefer to work on. It’s also important that your leadership style flexes depending on the situation.

How has/should the competency framework created by recruiters change based on technology aptitudes of potential candidates?

Traditional interviews might not hold the same power in finding the correct candidate based on the traditional selection methods.

I can’t speak for recruiters from other companies, but EY recruit based on strengths rather than competencies. The strengths we look for vary per service line, but here’s a list of what we look for. 

Which personal strengths should I emphasise when applying for a job in consulting?

Research consulting and find out more through our online job description videos. That way, you’ll get to know the role and then better understand what strengths you’d need to do this role. We’ve also got some handy tools online to support you with your decision making.

How far does commercial awareness play into the five skills that you have mentioned?

I think that commercial awareness comes into the mindsets part of our presentation. It’s an important skill to have in a company like EY, as depending on your role, you might be involved in attracting new clients or sharing insights with current clients.

What analytic tools/programs would you recommend learning?

We don’t require you to have any prior knowledge of programs, but having a passion for technology is great! You’ll learn everything you need to know if you’re successful in securing a role at EY.

How can I get into artificial intelligence without a degree or A-Levels?

Take a look at our Digital and Technology Degree Apprenticeship! If you’re passionate about technology and are on track to receive three A-Levels, five Scottish Highers or the equivalent by the time the programme starts, this apprenticeship is for you.

Don’t forget to watch the rest of our Debut Lives on the  Debut Live tab of the app. Download Debut  and  connect with us on  FacebookTwitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

cta_bg

Get started

Take four minutes to set up your profile and have great grad jobs come to you.