Kristina Liphardt, director of campus recruiting at EY, explains what MBAs need to get hired at the leading professional services firm.
The director of campus recruiting at EY, the professional services firm, said that the Big Four auditor will continue to invest in the recruitment of MBA students because they will be an “important part of our overall growth goals”.Mapping out the leading services firm’s MBA recruitment process, Kristina Liphardt said that EY looks for MBAs who demonstrate skills in problem solving and analytics, written communication, leadership, presentation and teamwork.
In addition to three to five years’ applicable work experience, the recruiter looks for MBAs who have “positive and enthusiastic attitudes”.
“We also seek candidates who are flexible, who exemplify the ability to deal with change, and who show they’ve historically adapted to different situations and experiences,” Kristina said in an interview with QS.
“New MBA hires need to have the ability to work in teams and to show initiative, and seek out projects – rather than simply waiting to see what you are scheduled for next.”
She added that other key qualities needed to get hired by EY include technical proficiency and the flexibility to work with different types of clients in different locations. “A lot of our client work requires travel,” she said.
EY, formally Ernst & Young, is one of the biggest professional services firms along with PwC, KPMG and Deloitte. It had 190,000 employees as of June this year, with global revenues of $27.4 billion in 2014.
MBA are typically hired for its assurance, tax, transactions and advisory units.
EY was one of the top recruiters at a host of leading business schools in 2013, including HEC Paris and IE Business School, and also hired students from MBA programs at INSEAD, London Business School and IESE Business School.
“EY has the career-making reputation, opportunities and culture that MBAs are seeking,” said Kristina, who is based in California. EY has been included in Fortune’s Best Companies To Work For list 16 times.
The firm announced plans earlier this year to hire 3,700 new employees in the UK by the end of June 2014.
Kristina said that it is important that MBA candidates attend events during their first year of studies – applicable to the two-year programs which are common in the United States – so that firms get to know them ahead of the formal recruiting season and the on-campus interview process.
Opportunities to engage with EY recruiters include presentations and “office treks”.
For MBAs, there is an on-campus interview that will include a case study and a writing sample assessment, and during the second round candidates attend an in-house interview process that includes a case study and a team exercise assessment.
Kristina said MBAs need to differentiate themselves during these interviews, and should come prepared to share experiences and examples of their accomplishments.
“In addition, they need to demonstrate their critical thinking and problem solving skills,” she added.
Student Reviews
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
