The software uses 3-D animation and applicants are greeted and taken through the process by a virtual person. Students are given a variety of tasks to do which mimic the multi-tasking frequently required in a modern office job. While studying a spreadsheet to find certain information, for example, an email might also arrive that needs a response or the student might receive a voicemail notification that they need to listen to, or a video clip that they need to watch.
By creating an impression of real work situations, the students will gain a better understanding of what it would actually be like to work at KPMG, while KPMG can see how well-suited applicants might be to genuine working life.
The assessment process also uses real, specially trained actors to carry out one-on-one role plays with the students – to enable both parties to get a better insight into how they would actually be suited to a career at KPMG.
Michelle Quest, Head of People at KPMG, said: “We want to take recruitment firmly into the digital media age. Presenting tasks through an advanced technology platform means that young tech-savvy applicants will feel more attuned to the process. Our aim is to move recruitment beyond the traditional numerical and reasoning tests to provide an immersive and interactive experience that will tell us more about the applicant, and the applicant more about us.”
The new process sits alongside other traditional tests and interviews that applicants will also take. The software was designed in conjunction with the assessment consultancy and design firm Penna.
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Media enquiries to:
Mark Hamilton, KPMG Corporate Communications - 020 7694 2687
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and operates from 22 offices across the UK with nearly 11,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a turnover of £1.6 billion in the year ended September 2010. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. We operate in 150 countries and have more than 138,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. KPMG International provides no client services.
