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Find out more information about current positions available within CVA.
To Whom It May Concern...
Applications and queries should be directed to the Recruitment Co-ordinator of each of our offices.
How soon until I'm a Partner?
Career progression explained and other frequently asked questions.
Which Way to CVA?
As CVA is committed to the attraction, development and retention of top-quality individuals, recruitment is central to our success.
CVA Challenge
The CVA Challenge is a week long event run by senior CVA staff for new consultants from around the world.
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Working at CVA | Recruitment Process | Frequently Asked Questions | Interview Tips | Recruitment Dates | Current Positions | Recruitment Contacts
Interviews can be daunting. Based on what we are looking for and our own experiences, we have put together a few tips to help you through the process.
- Be on time. This means not half an hour early or 5 minutes late, but right on time. To facilitate this, make sure you know how to get to the building and up to the reception. And plan some contingency time just in case the bus/ train/ tram is running late!
- Be polite but still be yourself. While an interview is obviously a formal business situation that requires a certain standard of behaviour, it is still important to be yourself. Putting on an act is hard to sustain (particularly when you start work!) and the interviewer can usually spot it.
- Be prepared. Make sure you know the name of the person you have spoken with previously (whether a secretary, HR person or consultant). Read up about the company - look at the website, do an internet search, read any relevant articles. Talk to anyone you know who has worked in the industry or with management consultants. You want to arrive with a good understanding of what we do and what type of job you are trying to get!
- Ask questions. The interviewer will nearly always give you the opportunity to ask questions - make sure you really think about the job, the company and what you want out of it. You may then have some intelligent and important questions to ask. You are not expected to know everything about consulting or CVA, but you should know enough from what is publicly available to ask poignant and relevant questions. In case studies, the same rule applies. Don't be scared to ask questions. The ability to ask good questions is a trait that we look for.
- Take notes during the case study. This means it's a good idea to take paper and pen to the interview (although it will usually be supplied). Taking notes during the case study serves two purposes: it ensures you cover all the facts as they are explained to you, and it indicates to the interviewer that you are listening to what they say.
- Make sure you understand. Whether during the case study or an explanation of the process going forward, make sure you understand what the interviewer is saying to you. If you are unsure, ask for clarification. Don't pretend you understand, as you may end up getting caught out later.
- Don't be scared. The case study can be daunting, particularly if you have not done one before. There are plenty of websites that can give you examples of case studies - try a few and get your confidence up. Remember that we are not looking for specific knowledge of an industry or business in a case study, but we are looking at how you address a problem, break it down and solve it.
- Make a good choice. It is important that you find out if the job is the right one for you. Make sure you ask the right questions so you can decide if the work and the people fit with what you want. If it doesn't feel like the right match, you need to move on to something else - don't try to fake it, this will just create difficulties for both parties.
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Do:
Answer the question that is asked
Display an ability to break down the problem and work through it systematically
Make sure you identify and focus on the key issues
Take on board information and use it to solve the problem (and discard irrelevant information)
Ask probing questions to "fill the gaps"
Display flexibility to adapt to changes that are introduced during the course of the case study, and to identify of a range of alternative solutions
Convey an air of confidence but don't be cocky!
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Don't:
Pretend you know something that you don't. The interviewer will generally know a lot more than you and will catch you out.
Be verbose or give highly-detailed explanations of peripheral issues
Get side-tracked. Stick to the point and stay there.
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