Big 4 interview question

[Stokey]

I've got a second interview tomorrow. Any tips for what to say if they ask why I want to work for them rather than the other big 4? The truth is they had a job advertised within my area of expertise, and it sounds interesting.

Not sure how big the company is, but if they have a website I’d check out any upcoming areas of work that you can say you’d find challenging, different, exciting or a good match for your experience. Best of luck!

Talk about their amazing culture and how you've spoken to people who work there/have worked there to confirm that it is as great as advertised. They all think they're better than the other three - play to their vanity.

PS Good luck!

I used to work at Big4. Tbh everyone knows they are similar but have a look and see if there’s any particular clients or projects you could be interested in.

Also have a nosy at the CSR pages and see if there’s something there.

Also if your service line is bigger or has a better local presence you can have a chat about that as well.

Good luck!

Mention how their values align with yours and then name their values!

Thank you, really helpful, I've just spent the last hour formulating some answers from their website.

If you let us know which Big4, perhaps some of us might be able to give you a steer!

Which big4 is it? They're all known for slightly different things so that could help and depends which service your going for? Audit? Consulting? Definitely mention culture/values - they love that!

It's PWC, on the advisory side, financial crime.

Helpful!
So read all of this www.pwc.com/gx/en/about/purpose-and-values.html

As well as this www.pwc.co.uk/the-new-equation.html

The board are passionate about the New Equation stuff (even if I remain unconvinced that the majority of staff understand what it's all about!!)

Google "PWC purpose" and read through it. You should be able to pick out some bits you can refer to. The main purpose statement is to "build trust in society and solve important problems" and this is referenced quite a lot at PWC.

I agree with PP about the new equation (and the point about many staff not fully knowing what this is!) so I'd agree you should have a look at that.

Good luck

Google the Deal too. That might be a good one to bring up.

What level are you interviewing for?

Have they won any awards for inclusion and diversity- would be a good example to use. Specific big projects coming up.

I know that team well - what grade are you interviewing for and which location? To be honest, most of the interviews are competency based and follow a script (even at second interview) and it really depends on your interviewer as to whether they'll ask anything that's more personal. Some just literally ask what's in front of them. Knowing the team, I'd say be able to talk about why the issues that they're trying to combat are important. What's the global impact of ML? What are the links between fraud and organised crime and human trafficking? How have the events of the last year and the full scale invasion on Ukraine impacted on clients. And also then about how you want to help clients understand their obligations and comply with them more efficiently and effectively (always good buzzwords to drop in).

Thanks @mynameiscalypso . It's London, manager grade - although maybe I should be going for senior manager. Coming from government so am confident I have the regulatory and geopolitical perspective covered.

Perfect, good luck! You sound like you have the kind of experience and background that they absolutely are crying out for.

(Also wondering if we know each other 😂)

How did it go @Stokey?

Good I think, I didn't need to hesitate much. Thanks for all your help. They did ask why PWC so managed to drop in the purpose stuff!

Big4 is the name for the big 4 accounting/consultancy firms and it is a well known name for them so anyone who would be able to help knows, the same way Magic Circle is a nickname for top City law firms

@PercyMcPigface sorry managed to quote you and not the poster I meant to🙈

The truth is they had a job advertised within my area of expertise, and it sounds interesting.

I interviewed with them in the '90s, with had no intention of working for them but was so impressed by the whole interview process, and the people that I met, that I accepted the job and had a great time.

When they explained their offer, I ask the people who had been my contact throughout what had made him accept the job. He said it the calibre of the people he got to work with and the nature of the work which he got to do.

It convinced me. 🤩. Couldn't hurt to include something like that.

@FinallyHere that's good to hear. The job does sound really interesting. I love variety and that makes it rather appealing. I already have an offer on the table from another company, which would probably pay slightly more and give me a better work life balance, but this job would be more interesting.

this job would be more interesting.

I found PwC to be the hardest work, and the biggest learning experiences with the most reward, way beyond my wildest imaginings.

In four years, it set me up for a similar role, but internal to an organisation which is regularly sited among the top ten best organisations to work for.

That would never have happened without the experience I gained at PwC. Not easy, but very simple.

Hope it goes well for you.