Civil Service Fast Stream or Big 4 (Deloitte) Graduate Scheme

Szac8549

Voyager2002 wrote: »

My comment: first, try to decide what you want after the four years doing one or the other of these. That might make the choice simpler.

And secondly: neither of these schemes have actually offered you a place. At one time, only 0.2 per cent of the graduates who applied to Fast Stream received a job offer (unless they were Oxford or Cambridge graduates, when the percentage was more like 20 per cent). So it is not really sensible to spend a lot of time deciding whether you would accept the offer of a Fast Stream place when statistically it is not very likely that you will be given an offer.

I have already received a graduate offer from Deloitte. Also I have received a "fast pass" and training for the assessment centre from my internship at the Civil Service. Over 50% of people who receive the "fast pass" get on to the fast stream. Hence the conundrum.

Doshwaster

Szac8549 wrote: »

I have already received a graduate offer from Deloitte. Also I have received a "fast pass" and training for the assessment centre from my internship at the Civil Service. Over 50% of people who receive the "fast pass" get on to the fast stream. Hence the conundrum.

Really depends on your ambitions. Do you have visions of being a partner within the Big 4 or FD/CFO elsewhere within 20 years or would you be happy with a reasonably secure job which pays the bills while you get on with the rest of your life?

Szac8549

Doshwaster wrote: »

Really depends on your ambitions. Do you have visions of being a partner within the Big 4 or FD/CFO elsewhere within 20 years or would you be happy with a reasonably secure job which pays the bills while you get on with the rest of your life?

The first one I think!

Doshwaster

Szac8549 wrote: »

The first one I think!

This thread on the chance of making it to partnership with Deloitte may be interesting (and I'm sure other firms are very similar)

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-consulting-career-path-at-a-firm-like-Deloitte-and-what-percent-make-it-to-partner

Personally, I had final round interviews at 2 of the big consulting firms (as they were 20 years ago) but didn't get any offers. I ended up in a series of smaller companies which suited me better - they are less bureaucratic and you have more of a chance of making a difference. I recently spent 3 years working for one of the Big Boys as a middle manager and hated it as I was so used to the startup/small company mentality. I'm now back working for a 100 person business and I'm much happier.

So, I would just say go for it. Some people I know who joined Big 4 loved it and did really well for themselves. Others hated it and were happy to escape - but you'll never know until you try.

The Civil Service has never appealed to me. My sister-in-law is a career CS having worked as an auditor in various departments but she likes it as the work isn't too demanding and it fits around her family life.

ReadingTim

Szac8549 wrote: »

The first one I think!

If you don't know where you ultimately want to be, but that you'll be looking for an 'out' of whatever firm/profession you're in within 4 years, the risk is that uncertainty will come through in interviews, to the extent that neither Deloitte nor the fast stream will offer you a position in the first place.

Unless you are a top class bluffer, you may find it more straightforward to work out where you want go, and take the most direct route there. Alternatively, see which offer you a role, and how you like the work in the first few years before thinking of moving on.

Szac8549

ReadingTim wrote: »

If you don't know where you ultimately want to be, but that you'll be looking for an 'out' of whatever firm/profession you're in within 4 years, the risk is that uncertainty will come through in interviews, to the extent that neither Deloitte nor the fast stream will offer you a position in the first place.

Unless you are a top class bluffer, you may find it more straightforward to work out where you want go, and take the most direct route there. Alternatively, see which offer you a role, and how you like the work in the first few years before thinking of moving on.

As stated before Ive already had interviews and been offered the graduate job at delotte. As for the CS I only need to pass some assesments, which I've had specific training for in my internship.
Im asking about exit opportunities not because I plan on moving after 4 years, but just in case I fancied a change after a few years, and wanted to work somewhere else.

ReadingTim

Szac8549 wrote: »

As stated before Ive already had interviews and been offered the graduate job at delotte. As for the CS I only need to pass some assesments, which I've had specific training for in my internship.
Im asking about exit opportunities not because I plan on moving after 4 years, but just in case I fancied a change after a few years, and wanted to work somewhere else.

And until you pass the CS assessments, you're not actually facing the dilemma you're posing. Furthermore, if you're not thinking of moving, it's not a dilemma at all - merely idle speculation and hypothetical "what-ifs".

Szac8549

ReadingTim wrote: »

And until you pass the CS assessments, you're not actually facing the dilemma you're posing. Furthermore, if you're not thinking of moving, it's not a dilemma at all - merely idle speculation and hypothetical "what-ifs".

Well thanks that was really insightful and definitely answered my questions. :T
You don't know anything about me so stop assuming things like "Deloitte won't offer you a position in the first place" and telling me whether i have a decision to make or not. It costs time amd money to attend the assessment centre; if i would prefer deloitte thered ne no point in going.
It doesn't matter if its happening to me or not or if it's hypothetical , i can still ask the question! You're just being a !!!!! for no reason

ReadingTim

Szac8549 wrote: »

Well thanks that was really insightful and definitely answered my questions. :T
You don't know anything about me so stop assuming things like "Deloitte won't offer you a position in the first place" and telling me whether i have a decision to make or not. It costs time amd money to attend the assessment centre; if i would prefer deloitte thered ne no point in going.
It doesn't matter if its happening to me or not or if it's hypothetical , i can still ask the question! You're just being a !!!!! for no reason

Sorry if I've shattered your delusions of adequacy.

jonnygee2

If you don't know where you ultimately want to be

Oh tish. No one really knows what they want to be doing in 20 years time and anyone can make it up in the interview anyway if they want to. And although you might get asked where you want to be in ten years time, the answer is normally something like 'a senior tax consultant in area x', it'd be pretty cringe / disingenuous if you actually answered '...at Deloitte'.

It's sensible to have an answer to this question ready but it would also be ludicrous to go into your first job as if it was where you will stay forever. It's not 1960! Thinking about your opportunities inside and outside your starting position is sensible.