Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time you had to overcome a challenge.
2. Describe a situation where you had to work with someone you didn’t agree with.
3. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. Tell me why you want to work at PwC.
6. Explain a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills.
7. Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure.

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a structured way to answer behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

* Situation: Describe the situation you were in.
* Task: Explain the task you were responsible for.
* Action: Describe the actions you took to complete the task.
* Result: Share the positive outcome of your actions.

The STAR framework helps you to provide clear and concise answers to behavioral interview questions. It also allows you to highlight your skills and abilities in a way that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to overcome a challenge.

Question: Tell me about a time you had to overcome a challenge.

Answer: During my internship at a small accounting firm, I was tasked with auditing a large corporation. The company had a complex financial structure, and I was unfamiliar with the industry. I spent long hours researching the company and learning about the industry. I also reached out to my coworkers for help, and they were always willing to answer my questions. In the end, I was able to successfully complete the audit and received positive feedback from my supervisor.

Why this answer is strong:

* Situation: The candidate was tasked with auditing a large corporation with a complex financial structure.
* Task: The candidate had to learn about the company and the industry and complete the audit successfully.
* Action: The candidate spent long hours researching the company and the industry, reached out to coworkers for help, and successfully completed the audit.
* Result: The candidate received positive feedback from their supervisor.

2. Describe a situation where you had to work with someone you didn’t agree with.

Question: Describe a situation where you had to work with someone you didn’t agree with.

Answer: In my previous role, I had to work with a coworker who had a different approach to problem-solving than I did. We often disagreed on the best way to complete tasks. However, I knew that we needed to find a way to work together if we wanted to be successful. I made an effort to understand his perspective and to find common ground. I also communicated my own ideas clearly and respectfully. In the end, we were able to work together effectively and successfully complete our projects.

Why this answer is strong:

* Situation: The candidate had to work with a coworker who had a different approach to problem-solving.
* Task: The candidate had to find a way to work together with their coworker.
* Action: The candidate made an effort to understand their coworker’s perspective, to find common ground, and to communicate their own ideas clearly and respectfully.
* Result: The candidate and their coworker were able to work together effectively and successfully complete their projects.

3. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Question: Give me an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Answer: In my previous role, I was faced with a difficult decision when I had to choose between two projects that were both important to the company. I knew that I couldn’t work on both projects at the same time, so I had to decide which one to prioritize. I considered the importance of each project, the resources that were available, and the potential impact of each project on the company. In the end, I decided to prioritize the project that had the greatest potential impact on the company.

Why this answer is strong:

* Situation: The candidate had to choose between two important projects.
* Task: The candidate had to decide which project to prioritize.
* Action: The candidate considered the importance of each project, the resources that were available, and the potential impact of each project on the company.
* Result: The candidate made a decision that prioritized the project that had the greatest potential impact on the company.

4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Answer: My strengths include my strong analytical skills, my attention to detail, and my ability to work well under pressure. I am also a team player and I am always willing to help others. My weakness is that I can sometimes be too detail-oriented, which can slow down my progress. I am aware of this weakness and I am working on improving my ability to focus on the big picture.

Why this answer is strong:

* The candidate identified specific strengths and weaknesses.
* The candidate explained how their strengths can benefit the company.
* The candidate acknowledged their weakness and explained how they are working to improve it.

5. Tell me why you want to work at PwC.

Question: Tell me why you want to work at PwC.

Answer: I want to work at PwC because I am passionate about helping businesses succeed. I am also impressed by PwC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and its opportunities for professional growth. I believe that PwC is a company where I can learn and grow, and where I can make a meaningful contribution to the business community.

Why this answer is strong:

* The candidate expressed their passion for helping businesses succeed.
* The candidate mentioned PwC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and its opportunities for professional growth.
* The candidate explained how they believe they can contribute to the business community.

6. Explain a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills.

Question: Explain a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills.

Answer: In my previous role, I was faced with a problem when a client’s financial statements did not balance. I spent several hours trying to find the error, but I was unsuccessful. I then decided to take a step back and look at the problem from a different perspective. I realized that I had made an error in my calculations. I corrected the error and the financial statements balanced.

Why this answer is strong:

* The candidate described a specific situation where they had to use their problem-solving skills.
* The candidate explained the steps they took to solve the problem.
* The candidate demonstrated their ability to think critically and to find creative solutions to problems.

7. Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure.

Question: Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure.

Answer: In my previous role, I was tasked with completing a project on a tight deadline. I knew that I had to work quickly and efficiently to meet the deadline. I broke the project down into smaller tasks and I set a deadline for each task. I also made sure to communicate regularly with my manager and to keep them updated on my progress. In the end, I was able to complete the project on time and to meet all of the requirements.

Why this answer is strong:

* The candidate described a specific situation where they had to work under pressure.
* The candidate explained the steps they took to manage their time and to complete the project on time.
* The candidate demonstrated their ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.