Steve Doyle - Real World Diversity - Sexual Orientation - KPMG
Steve Doyle, 25, is on the graduate trainee programme for tax at KPMG and is studying towards chartered accountancy and chartered tax adviser qualifications. He graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies with a degree in Japanese studies.
What's your background?
At university I initially assumed I would end up working in translation or interpreting, but as my studying went on I decided that working in the City was more appealing.
How did you handle your job hunt?
I have to admit I had the usual stereotypes in my head that the City was a rather macho place to work and that I would need to stay in the closet. However, I found out about a gay recruitment event called 'Out in the City' in the summer of 2005 and decided to go along. I was really inspired by the people there - my preconceptions were completely turned on
their head. I knew I wanted to apply there and then, but wanted to do some more research on which companies were particularly gay-friendly. I referred to Stonewall's 'corporate equality index' - a list of the top 100 employers in the UK. From this research I knew
KPMG was high up on the employers' list.
Did you face any barriers?
My sexuality wasn't an issue at all when I was applying for jobs. I have grown up in a time where people will no longer accept being treated badly at work because they are gay,
so I wasn't expecting to have any problems. During the interview it wasn't mentioned and if it had have been I would have questioned the company's motives. At the time part of me wondered whether I should bring it up, but now I know that it doesn't matter either way.
But if it does happen to come up and the company judges you because of it then you shouldn't want to work for that company.
Any tips for fellow graduates?
Look at Stonewall's index - obviously it only covers the top 100 companies - but if a company is listed in the index it means they really care about the issue and are actively
making an effort. There are also several gay recruitment events running each year so try to keep up to date through magazines and online forums and attend them. I would also recommend finding out about the gay professional associations in your town or city, especially in London. Here, you can meet people who are doing real jobs and network like crazy.
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Related tags: KPMG , Banking & Finance, English, Languages & Cultural Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, Case study
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