How Our Interviews Work

Pre-interview Process - Selecting the Candidates

Alumni recruiting teams visit schools during "Meet and greet" events. Candidates are selected based on various criteria, most important of which are social and communication skills or "soft skills."

What Are Soft Skills?

Soft skills refer to the group of personality traits, social graces, language, personal habits, and overall friendliness, qualities that help separate people to varying degrees. Soft skills complement the technical requirements of a job.

Recruiting Events or 'Touch Points': Your Mini-interview

Our four touch points give us the opportunity to interact with students. Career fairs & CA nights, summer events & office visits, student workshops & information sessions, and on-campus interviews are all opportunities for recruiters to engage with you and assess your soft skills.

What can you expect from these general meetings?

• Firm representatives to pass along their feedback and recommendations to our HR Managers
• Screening of your resume by our designated schools to determine short-lists
• Decisions that are based on: Accounting or related work experience; a minimum of a B+ average in the 51 credit-hour courses; extracurricular involvement/volunteerism; and personality fit.

1st Round Interviews - On Campus

Objective:

• To identify candidates who possess the BDO Competencies
• To short list strong candidates for 2nd round interviews

Time: Approx. 30 minutes

Process: On-Campus
The purpose of the first interview is for the interviewer and the candidate to get to know one other. It is conducted on-campus with HR Managers and a Manager/Senior Manager from practice. It is 30 minutes in length and structured with behavioural-based questions.

End Result:

• To identify candidates who will be presented an offer of employment
• To identify the short-list of strong candidates for 2nd round interviews

2nd Round Interviews - BDO Office

Objective: To identify the best candidates from the short-list

Time: Approx. 30 minutes

Process: BDO Office
During the second week of interviews, partners, senior managers and managers may conduct 2nd round interviews for designated schools. Partners interview the strongest candidates determined from the 1st round interviews.

End Result:

• To identify candidates who will be presented an offer of employment

Final Decision and Support

• A final decision is typically made within 2-3 days.
• All candidates are contacted personally and advised of the final outcome and/or the next steps.

Questions and Feedback

• Our recruiters are available to all students to answer any questions about the recruitment process or provide any feedback on the candidate's interview or interviewing skills.
• Successful candidates are directed through the next steps and will receive regular emails regarding firm updates and events.
• New hire information will be sent approximately one month prior to the start date.
• The National Campus Recruiter is always available to answer any questions during any part of the process
  

What Does BDO Look For in Candidates?

• Prior accounting or related work experience that develops transferable skills (i.e. client relations, teamwork, initiative, communication skills, and leadership)
• Minimum B+ average is required in the core business or accounting courses (51 credit hour courses)
• Extra-curricular activities demonstrating well-rounded and team-oriented candidates
• Personality and "good fit"
• Successful demonstration of the BDO Competencies