Ernst & Young>Careers>Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - Ernst & Young - United Kingdom

Applying to Ernst & Young

Q:

Given the downturn in the market are you still hiring? If so, which areas are you hiring into?

A:

Business and economies are changing — and so are we. Our business is adapting but still growing. We're looking for people and leaders with new skills and diverse experiences, particularly in Advisory and Restructuring. You could help us build the practice of tomorrow and help our clients address the complexities of a rapidly evolving business environment. Visit opportunities for more information on areas of growth and the type of people we're looking for.

Q:

Where can I learn about open opportunities with Ernst & Young?

A:

Visit Job search for opportunities in Advisory, Assurance, Tax, Transactions, and Core Business Services. We list jobs by service line as well as location. You’ll also find more detailed information about specific requirements in each job description.

Q:

How do I start the application process?

A:

Go to Job search and browse through the list of job opportunities available in your country of choice. Once you’ve identified a suitable position(s), apply by submitting your CV/resume online. We’ll acknowledge it by email. If your application meets our requirements, we’ll invite you for an interview. Visit Applying to Ernst & Young or Interview tips for more information on the process.

Q:

How do I submit my CV/resume online?

A:

To maximise your opportunities to succeed, we encourage you to submit your profile directly on to the system for an open job. Identify your area(s) of interest, search for jobs, select 'Apply now', fill in your personal profile and submit your CV/resume.

Q:

What should I do if I cannot find an opportunity that matches my skills?

A:

We recommend you set up a job alert so you are notified as soon as suitable opportunities are available. However, also make a note to come back and check the site for open opportunities on a regular basis as well as this will help maximize your chance of success.

Q:

Should I submit my CV/resume for every position in which I am interested?

A:

Every position is filled separately, so you should submit a CV/resume for every opportunity and location for which you’d like to be considered.

Q:

Can I apply for a job outside my home country?

A:

You may apply for any open positions you see in any of the 140 countries in which we work. Your eligibility though will depend on the hiring country’s qualification requirements, employment laws, work permit and/or visa requirements.

Q:

If I submit my CV/resume for a specific position, how long will it be before I find out if I'm being considered?

A:

When you submit your application online, we’ll acknowledge it by email. If your qualifications and experience match our requirements, a recruiter will contact you to discuss your CV/resume in more detail. Please understand that because of the high number of CVs/resumes we receive, it’s not possible to make personal contact with everyone who applies for a position.

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Working at Ernst & Young

Q:

How is Ernst & Young structured?

A:

Ernst & Young is a global organisation made up of member firms in 140 countries. Each member firm is owned by its partners, who have operational control of their business, but we have a global governance structure in order to maintain the same high standards of service quality and delivery in all our locations. This consists of five geographic Areas, each with an Area Executive which collaborates with our Global Executive, led by our CEO, Jim Turley.

Q:

Where does Ernst & Young have offices around the world?

A:

Ernst & Young has 135,000 people working across the world in 140 countries. Take a look at our location map.

Q:

What do Ernst & Young professionals in the different service lines really do?

A:

Use the links below to gain in-depth information about each of our main service lines, their various sub-service lines and areas of focus.
Advisory helps organisations manage their risks and achieve sustained improvements in their performance.
Assurance gives stakeholders peace of mind about the validity of financial statements or other vital business information.
Tax helps clients comply with and navigate through the complexities of international tax strategies and regimes.
Transaction Advisory helps clients buy, sell and merge with other organisations.
Core Business Services manages and operates our internal functions to support all aspects of our business.

Q:

What is the organisation’s policy on flexible working?

A:

We’re committed to helping our people succeed professionally and personally. We have a pragmatic approach to supporting individuals in meeting commitments in and out of the office. We work together to agree on a framework which meets the needs of our business, our teams, our clients and our people. This approach allows you to manage family commitments or pursue personal passions outside of work. We’re proud that some of our people have participated in the Olympics, written novels and recorded albums while pursuing a career at Ernst & Young.

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Developing your career

Q:

How will I continue to grow as a professional?

A:

You want to realise your ambitions and advance your career and we want to help you. We have a learning and development framework called EYU (Ernst & Young and you) to help you identify what you need to learn, experience and be coached on and how to make the most of it. Your development is a commitment for both of us: we provide an infrastructure to support your growth and you take responsibility for articulating your needs and making the most of opportunities. Together, we can achieve your aspirations.

Q:

What kind of training can I expect from Ernst & Young?

A:

Training is a core part of our learning and development framework, EYU (Ernst & Young and you). We’ll help you address your specific needs through award-winning formal learning, both classroom-based and virtual. No matter where you are, you’ll have access to global tools and resources to build the technical competencies and business and relationship skills you need to succeed. You’ll also benefit from informal training through on-the-job coaching and mentoring. You can learn more by going to EYU.

Q:

What influence will I have over my career progression?

A:

You own your career at Ernst & Young but developing it is a mutual commitment. You’re responsible for articulating your development needs and aspirations. We provide a supportive, high-performing, learning team environment, to help you become a leader in your chosen service line. We offer plenty of career options and we allow flexibility wherever possible, so you can balance the demands of work and personal life. In return, you take responsibility for your professional and personal growth and for performing at your best every day.

Q:

Have I got to travel to develop my career?

A:

The amount you travel depends on the service line you join, your area of focus and the clients you serve. While travel is not a requirement for career development, we strongly encourage diversity of experience. You can discuss likely travel requirements in more detail at interview.

Q:

What if I join and then want to explore international opportunities?

A:

At Ernst & Young we've got a culture which truly fosters mobility so if you are with us for over a year and have a track record, the right skills and qualifications, we encourage you to work with your manager to explore the global opportunities available through various short- and long-term secondments. Go to our Job search to learn more about all available opportunities and to our website for more details on the mobility programmes we offer once you’ve joined.

Q:

How can I find out where I might use my previous skills and experience?

A:

You’ll find specific information about our service lines, sectors and areas of focus on our career pages, as well as on the main ey.com pages. Once you’ve identified where you’re most likely to fit within our business, go to Job search to look for available opportunities. The job descriptions of these opportunities contain a wealth of information, including qualifications and experience required.

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Life at Ernst & Young

Q:

What hours will I work a week?

A:

There’s no typical week at Ernst & Young. Your hours will vary according to the work or engagement in which you’re involved. As you would expect, you may occasionally need to work over the weekend, particularly during busy periods. We encourage teams at all levels to work flexibly and discuss how to meet the demands of each engagement. By talking to your team and line manager, you’ll be able to clarify what's expected of you and plan your time effectively.

Q:

What is Ernst & Young's approach to diversity and inclusiveness?

A:

We’re committed to creating an environment where all people feel valued, part of the community and able to perform at their best. Diversity and inclusiveness are about everyone. It’s about welcoming and harnessing diverse viewpoints, leading to better decisions for us and for our clients. It’s also about working in a way which helps people to achieve their potential and make a difference, wherever they come from and whatever their characteristics. We believe in developing our people's cultural awareness and skills, allowing them to understand their own assumptions, frames of reference and behaviour. To us, diversity and inclusiveness make business sense: they help us engage with clients and teams in a global economy. And in a world of shifting demographics, it allows us to operate efficiently across boundaries.

Q:

What is the social life like in the office?

A:

Here you’ll find individuals with a variety of backgrounds, opinions and perspectives united by a shared set of values. This means that there are plenty of groups and networks built around shared issues and interests. These range from hobbies, sports and creative or intellectual pursuits through to support and volunteer opportunities. They also include groups such as working mothers. Regardless of your background or areas of focus, you’ll find colleagues likely to share your interests with whom you can enjoy socialising.

Q:

The environment is very important, what is Ernst & Young's approach towards sustainability?

A:

We recognise our corporate responsibility to the environment and believe in making it possible for our people to contribute to it individually. As an organisation we’ve implemented various strategies: for example, developing carbon neutral buildings; reducing the need for overseas travel through the use of video and teleconferencing; and sourcing green energy suppliers wherever possible. As an individual, you can participate in one of the eco-teams promoting responsible practices in our offices or you can contribute your time to a charity or organisation that benefits the environment.

Q:

How can I get involved with my local community?

A:

We support volunteering and strongly encourage you to support your community in any way you can.

Q:

Can you have a family while working at Ernst & Young?

A:

We value the contribution that working parents make to our organisation and are committed to supporting them professionally and personally. We realise there is more to life than work, and that women in particular can sometimes feel pressure when balancing work and family demands. Our encouragement of working mothers in the workplace has been recognised in many countries as leading in its class.

Q:

Can I take maternity/paternity leave while at Ernst & Young?

A:

We pride ourselves on offering a supportive environment which encourages our people to succeed professionally and personally. Whether you're pursuing a hobby or looking after your family, our approach to flexible working supports your commitments outside the office.

Q:

Do you provide information about or for your alumni?

A:

At Ernst & Young, we are committed to building life-long relationships with our people. Many of our practices throughout the world run successful alumni programmes to bring former and present Ernst & Young people together.

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