Deloitte Intern Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Deloitte interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Table of Contents
- 1. Advisory Services B.V. Questions
- 2. Behavioral Questions
- 3. BehavioralExperience Questions
- 4. Career Questions
- 5. Common Interview Questions Questions
- 6. Communication Questions
- 7. Knowledge Questions
- 8. Latest Interview Questions Questions
- 9. Leadership Questions
- 10. Logistical Questions
- 11. No Experience Questions
- 12. Skillset Questions
- 13. Work From Home Questions
Advisory Services B.V.
1. Where have you seen common failures or breakdowns in customer service and how would you address these issues with the clients here at Deloitte?
How to Answer
When a firm like Deloitte is called, it is likely that that organization has seen some failure in the service that they have been providing to customers. In this role as a part of the audit team, you will be asked to help diagnose the accounting issues and help fix them for your clients. For this question, your interviewer is first seeking to see what you have seen in your career as common failures in customer service. Second, and most importantly, your interviewer is looking to hear how you would go about solving the issue with clients. Make sure to be as detailed as possible in this aspect of your answer.
Answer Example
"A common breakdown I have seen is not responding to client needs soon enough. Response time to client inquiries and questions is crucial. Personally, I have a 24 hour turnaround time for all emails and voicemails. In some cases, this can be 36 hours, but those aren't priority responses. Last year, at my internship at a mid-size firm, I found some of the managers were taking a 3-4 days to reply to simple client questions. I approached my manager and told them I could help with this as and he agreed; he was pleased I took initiative."
Behavioral
2. Tell me about a time you worked on a team.
How to Answer
Deloitte is very team oriented. Share an example from either school, work, or life that demonstrates exceptional team skills with a positive result that occurred from an evidence-based story that you will tell. Provide context as to the situation you found yourself in, how you worked well with the team, and how you all successfully delivered on the task. If you took on a leadership position at any point within the group, be sure to share that, as well.
Answer Example
"Last year, I was lucky enough to attend a leadership conference that was offered via the school. The other students attending were from across the country. I felt quite nervous attending, but also excited! When we arrived, we were split into teams of seven and I did not know any of the people in my group. We were given many tasks and activities to complete on our first day and then had to report back. I quickly realized that all of my team members were leaders, and through some early discussions, we decided on who would be our main leader, and who would do the other tasks through collaboration efforts. This went very well, as we all felt we were put into our strength areas once we voiced our opinions as to where we thought we would fit. In the end, we actually received the top score in this mini competition, which made our team bond even stronger. I still keep in touch with my other members from this day on social media, and I hope to see them again!"
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
For the marketing major student, he can deep dig into the background of the company and what regulations restricted the sales or helped with the increase of sales. Also, make a comparison with a competitor if he is able to. As for the finance students, I see their ability with helping with calculation and analysis if they know the issues behind the data. They all agree with my plan. After hard working together, My team ended up getting the highest grade in the class because we united together and also I set a clear target and detailed questions and material information in the project and delegated tasks to people based on their strengths."
Jaymie's Feedback
Behavioral
3. How do you cope with stress on the job?
How to Answer
Offer a recent high-stress situation and break it down using the STAR method. This will convey your understanding of what will be expected of you. Start by detailing the Situation, the task at hand, the Action required, and the ultimate Result of your actions. Next, detail how managed that stressful situation, logistically and with emotional maturity.
Answer Example
"I recently had a deadline, where despite my best time management efforts, the odds seemed stacked against me. So instead of allowing task paralysis to take hold, I just decided to problem-solve. After reorganizing my workflow, I then got permission to listen to music on my headphones at work and played some high octane beats that channeled my stress into energy, fueling my productivity. I also pounded a ton of coffee and asked for a colleague to check my work as I completed each stage of my project. Not only was my project a success, but I was able to listen to some great music I hadn't listened to in a long time. But if they hadn't allowed me to listen to my music on the job, I would have found another way. I've got lots of tricks up my sleeves, and rarely let my emotional state govern my productivity or my actions."
Behavioral
4. Describe a time when you motivated yourself to complete an assignment or task that you did not feel like doing.
How to Answer
'Describe a time when...' means that the interviewer is looking for a story-based example for this behavioral-based interview question. This style means forming a response using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.
Deloitte will give you work that may not be your ideal; it may seem repetitive and you may even be asking yourself why. Remember, this is all part of the bigger picture and sometimes mundane tasks that are done well with accuracy and on time can result in more desirable work coming your way.
Answer Example
"(Situation) At my current internship, the company receives an incredibly high volume of online job applicants every day. (Task) Working with the campus team, it is my job to review the resumes in our job portal every week. The task can be repetitive, and it takes a lot of care and attention. (Action) I set rewards for myself. Sometimes there will be up to 200 resumes to review. They all begin to look the same over time, so I set a goal to look at 20 at a time, give myself a quick break, then return to the task. (Result) I do this every week and have been able to get through all the new resumes every week. As a result, no applicants wait more than seven days for a response, which I believe is excellent business practice."
Behavioral
5. Tell me about a time when you received feedback. How did you respond?
How to Answer
Receiving feedback from your manager, your peers, or your mentor is a common occurrence within Deloitte. Deloitte provides students with buddies, coaches, mentors as well as a supervisor/manager, and they are constantly evaluating you while providing feedback along the way. This is especially true during training sessions in both tax and audit. How you receive and respond to the feedback is extremely important to the firm, your future, and your career. Receiving feedback in an open-minded way is the best approach here, compared to becoming defensive and engaging in conflict.
Answer Example
"Last year when I was working at my first internship, I noticed some of the senior leadership were dressing quite relaxed on Mondays. They weren't in suits; it almost felt like an extension of the weekend. I felt that if senior leadership was dressing this way, I could dress more casually, as well. My manager called me into her office and let me know immediately that my dress code was not up to the standards of the organization, especially for an intern. She explained that on Mondays, senior leadership usually went out for their meeting and felt that they could dress casual, but it was only allowed for senior leadership. She felt the best course of action for me in the future was to ask first, and then decide if it was appropriate to dress casual or not. I took this feedback to heart and apologized for my mistake. Since then, I have dressed to impress and received many compliments."
Behavioral
6. Tell me about a time you were empathetic.
How to Answer
Deloitte had a situation in 2020 when most of the staff were working from home. A staff member was late for a virtual meeting. If someone is late for a meeting because they were dealing with a personal issue, consider their perspective. Deloitte wants a very specific example from either school, work, or life when you have shown empathy. This is important. It shows not only that you are human, but that you care about others. Remember you're in the client-services business. You are supporting clients and building relationships with them, and this can involve showing empathy.
Answer Example
"We had a group project due on a Thursday. Three of my group members had four exams on Wednesday, the day before. I knew that we had to work on that project on Wednesday evening so we could submit it by 9 AM on Thursday morning. Understanding that the majority of my group members were going to be burnt out after a long day of exams, I felt it was best to provide food and refreshments, so they could power through the evening session for our project. When they came over, they are extremely appreciative of my effort and called me thoughtful. In the end, we received an A on the project; the professor was very happy, and we were proud of ourselves that we are able to do it. About a month later, one of my group members told me that because of my empathy that evening, it gave her a burst of energy to be able to really power through our project."
Behavioral
7. Tell me one thing you are most proud of.
How to Answer
Deloitte works hard, but also celebrates after the hard work is completed successfully. Setting goals for yourself and celebrating those achievements are important to show the organization that you feel happy and successful once a result is achieved. The STAR formula is best used here. When the interviewer begins with 'Tell me', this is your cue to answer in story format.
Answer Example
"I was on the Dean's honor role last semester. This was a major accomplishment for me as in my third year now, I have always wanted to achieve that. I changed my habits over the summer in terms of work/life balance and even took on a part-time retail job in the Fall term. Through better organization, attention to detail, and prioritization of tasks and my life, I finally made it!"
Behavioral
8. What is the most rebellious thing you've done and gotten away with?
How to Answer
Deloitte wants to observe your personality and keep the interview balanced with a lighter, fun-type of question. A prank, a joke, nothing-too-serious is the correct approach here, and adding in a lesson learned is always a positive.
Answer Example
"I pranked my coworker regularly after we both watched episodes of The Office - salt in his water bottle, vaseline on his door handle - really immature stuff. I felt that on busy, sometimes stressful days, a fun joke usually helped lighten the mood! I would only ever play a prank on someone I have a mutual, positive relationship with though, and I can easily separate work and play."
Behavioral
9. [After a group interview] How do you feel your group case study went?
How to Answer
Deloitte Canada established this as a National Practice around 2015. Part of your internship interview will consist of a group interview. Teams of four will have 30 minutes to provide a solution for a case study.
Coming up with the correct answer isn't as important as you may think. Deloitte is looking at your teamwork skills, collaboration efforts, leadership and/or follower style and most importantly, if you include all your teammates in your session. Afterwards, you may be asked to talk about how your group session went.
Answer Example
"I felt it went well; we clearly had four leaders in our group. We quickly utilized our own strengths and assigned ourselves a task. I felt one member seemed a little lost, so I left my task and assisted her. We ended up finishing with an 80% score, which was nice considering we were a new team!"
Behavioral
10. How would you describe the ideal manager?
How to Answer
Working in teams for a short time then moving onto another engagement within Deloitte is the norm. This usually means new teammates and a manager. Deloitte wants to know what you value in a manager to not only provide support, guidance, and supervision but to help you succeed within their team. Will you have a perfect manager or stay with one for a long time - quite doubtful, but Deloitte wants to know what you need to be successful with a manager.
Answer Example
"I value a manager with an open-door policy who is not only there for my questions and such, but to provide feedback while instilling confidence in my ability to be part of their team and work. Last year, while working at McDonalds, my manager was that exactly. With his support, my confidence grew! Feedback was provided regularly, as well as new challenges, to ensure I didn't become complacent in my work."
Behavioral
11. What is your experience interacting with senior executives at various organizations?
How to Answer
The past few summers, Deloitte has had their interns present to senior leadership near the end of the term. Throughout the summer, you will have the opportunity to meet the majority of these leaders, usually 3-5, and those leaders will be present for the presentation. Highlight that you not only have experience presenting in front of leadership, but also that you are comfortable doing it. Be specific about what you have presented.
Answer Example
"Last summer, my first internship was with Pepsi. The intern group was going to present to senior leadership about how their summer projects went. The leaders made an effort to go around and say hello to the interns in the weeks prior so we were familiar with each other and ideally, a relationship had been formed. I felt comfortable speaking in front of them the next time I saw them. This increased my confidence, and on the day of the presentation, I did very well! The senior executives were so impressed they invited me out to lunch the next day. I felt very comfortable and even had a great time!"
Behavioral
12. Tell me about a time that you had a lot going on. How did you handle everything?
How to Answer
A typical question from a Big Four as 'a lot going on' at work is the norm. Deloitte, for example, regardless of whether your internship is in tax, audit, or consulting, the expectation is your plate will be full and most likely not balanced. You will need to find a balance and set priorities. 'Tell me about a time' questions should trigger you to think of a story, action plan, and result that was positive!
Answer Example
"Last semester was the busiest time of my life. I was taking five classes, working part time as a server, volunteering with my church, and playing team sports. I also found time to volunteer to complete income taxes for students through the Student Union Income Tax program. My key to success was creating a schedule on my bedroom wall coupled with lists and reminders in my phone. I found that prioritization and checking off completed items motivated me to stay on track. Also, my strong organization skills enabled me to not miss any deadlines or planned activities. I ended up with a 3.6 GPA, and our soccer team won the city championship!"
Behavioral
13. What is a weakness of yours?
How to Answer
This is a tricky questions that Deloitte uses when looking at internships for 2nd years and sometimes 3rd years. What they don't want to hear is a scripted answer of how 'you're a perfectionist' and how 'you strive to be perfect'. No. Pick something you are trying to improve and describe the action steps you are already using to improve this weakness. Having an example prepared, instead of just stating a weakness, is the best approach here.
Answer Example
"One of my weaknesses is public speaking. However, this semester I enrolled in toastmasters, am speaking up in class a few more times, volunteered as a student tour guide for new student orientation, and gave a very short speech at my father's birthday last weekend. It's getting better!"
BehavioralExperience
14. What do you think will be a challenge for you in this job?
How to Answer
Deloitte is asking you about your weakness. Using the STAR formula, think of a situation you weren't strong in, you worked on it/found a solution/sought out help, and it improved. Deloitte wants to know that will try and find a solution and keep going if need be by working on the issue.
Answer Example
"One of my first jobs was as a server. Since I had never done it before, I was nervous about forgetting people's orders at busy times and having a lot of tables to look after. I knew that on busy days, things will move fast. For my first few days, I was overwhelmed to serve so many customers at once; however, with training and practice, I grew much more comfortable and became a reliable server."
Career
15. Why Deloitte?
How to Answer
Deloitte wants to know about the research you've done and what you found appealing during their recruitment initiatives. Essentially, they want to know what you see in Deloitte over their competition.
Answer Example
"After attending your networking event last week at XYZ university, I learned a tremendous amount about Deloitte. Speaking with partners, managers, HR professionals, and interns from last summer, I realized your firm fits with my values, and I feel I'd be a great fit as well. Your CPA program seems to align with my work ethic and structure in terms of your support mechanisms as per conversations with your staff, and I play on an internal hockey team that competes against other firms and being an avid hockey player, that would be perfect."
Career
16. Walk us through your resume.
How to Answer
Clients want a complete picture of what the plan entails or what was the result when speaking with those who have worked at Deloitte. Walking through an audit (before or after) with a client is normal in Deloitte's eyes, hence why they are asking you something similar with something that shouldn't challenging if you know your resume. This is another version of 'tell me about yourself'.
Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I am a third-year accounting student at X University, majoring in accounting. Some of my strengths include strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and most importantly, relationship building. I have a 3.2 GPA, I'm working 20 hours a week in customer service at the mall, I volunteer 5 to 7 hours a week with the Humane Society, and I also play volleyball with my peers. I recently joined a peer mentorship program at the University and hope to help other students with some other accounting work. My long term goal is to achieve the CPA designation, and currently I am seeking a role for summer 2021 in audit with your firm."
Career
17. Why did you choose the University that you attended?
How to Answer
Partners at Deloitte have been known to ask this. They feel a client may ask you why you chose Deloitte instead of another firm. They want to see passion come out here, with true reasons why you chose it. Be prepared to discuss what attracted you to your particular University and be honest. If you had multiple choices of what school to attend, the reasons why will be of value to the interviewer. They most likely will use your answer as part of their debrief to determine if are a fit with the firm. If you chose the school due to your friends going there and that is the only reason, they may label you as the follower type.
Answer Example
"I chose XYZ University due to the small class sizes and their reputation for having a strong business program. I also knew that the accounting program is approved by the CPA designation, therefore all my courses would be eligible for me to start the CPA stream upon graduation. Many alumni that work here attended XYZ University, therefore I recognized that your firm values it as a top school for future talent. Last year, your firm participated in the school's golf tournament and with our small class sizes, I felt I wasn't competing with others as much, which made me more relaxed."
Career
18. Why are you interested in audit?
How to Answer
This could be phrased as 'why not tax' or 'why not consulting', as well. This is where Deloitte expects you to have done your homework. Explain what you know about audit, how you learned about it, where you learned about it and why. In audit, you will be client-facing and work in teams. The learning curve is steep, but if you are a good team player and have strong interpersonal skills, it will be a great experience. The example below should provide you with a good basis of what they are looking for.
Answer Example
"I attended your information session last week and enjoyed your presentation, specifically on audit. I feel my ability to speak with others is strong in terms of communication. I enjoy working with others in a collaborative setting and am results-driven. I then spoke with Deloitte staff and their experience, and they felt their start in audit was a great transition from student to employee."
Career
19. What are your plans after you get your CPA?
How to Answer
Deloitte knows that many students will obtain their CPA and plan to leave to another industry for higher pay and less working hours. However, they also feel many can be on the path to senior manager and possibly partner. During the intern interview process, they are interviewing you as if you are on track to become a leader within the firm. They don't just hire an intern for four or eight months; they are looking at this as a long term investment. If you are planning to leave, be honest and tell them why, as they will most likely support your answer and have advice/options for you.
Answer Example
"My plan is to stay with the firm, though I know my peers and managers may not. The partners and senior managers I've met showed me their human side during the recruitment event, and I feel I one day could be in their shoes with the guidance and mentorship that Deloitte has to offer."
Common Interview Questions
20. Which other companies are you interviewing with?
How to Answer
Deloitte will always ask this. Especially if you make it to the third round of intern interviews, as they are usually with a partner. The partner knows you have applied to their direct competition, and like many, they are looking long term as to why you didn't choose Deloitte and then they will seek out information on the winner.
They may ask you questions about the other organizations as part of the interview and the reminder here is to always keep it positive!
Answer Example
"I applied to a handful of positions, definitely the other big three, the midsize, even some industry. I feel at this point, with my strong resumes and cover letter and advice from my intern coordinator at the University, it is best to take lots of shots on goal compared to just a few."
Communication
21. Tell me about an error or mistake you made because of a breakdown in communication from you or one of your team members.
How to Answer
Deloitte would like to know about a time when communication was weak on your part, and a mistake occurred. On occasion, mistakes will happen, and discussions will break. Think back to a time when you made an error in communication, and it caused a ripple effect that reached your team members or your organization as a whole. The final part of your answer needs to include the steps you took to repair the situation. Make sure to conclude your answer on a positive note.
Answer Example
"I realized I made the mistake of making an inappropriate joke after seeing the body language of my colleagues throughout the afternoon; therefore, I made an effort to go and apologize to them, explain why I said the joke, and once again apologize for offending them. I I learned a lot that day; though workplace banter can be fun and engaging, tone and knowing your audience is also very important so that you don't offend anyone."
Knowledge
22. Who is the CEO of Deloitte?
How to Answer
The interviewer is not only testing how in-depth your knowledge of Deloitte is, but how up-to-date and accurate your information is as well. There are many CEOs for Deloitte worldwide, therefore it is imperative that you pay close attentions to the details when looking up and rehearsing your information. Recite a straightforward answer to the question. Be as knowledgeable as possible. Maintain confident body language and posture and deliver your answer with a positive and enthusiastic tone.
Answer Example
"Joe Ucuzoglu is the Chief Executive Officer, leading the largest professional services organization in the United States. "
Latest Interview Questions
23. What distracts you in the workplace?
How to Answer
Deloitte was one of the innovators when is came to open concept and working spaces in 2015. Booking a workspace became the norm and working remotely or in group settings was encouraged. Nowadays, many do wear headphones and such, but there can be other distractions that lead to productivity being affected.
Answer Example
"I think we are all distracted by our phones now and then, and I am no exception to that. To overcome this distraction in the workplace, I keep my cell phone in my desk drawer on silent. Anyone who knows me knows to call my desk phone when they need me, or in case of an emergency."
Leadership
24. If you were hired for this position, what are the first changes you would implement?
How to Answer
Explain to the interviewer that you plan first to observe to gain a better understanding of the organization's culture and team dynamics. Focus your discussion on building a strong rapport with your new team. Asking this to an intern is interesting, as they are looking for innovative methods you have learned at school for accounting practices. Deloitte is looking for leaders that are not hesitant to offer their thoughts on the future state and current needs when observed.
Answer Example
"If offered this position, I do not believe that major immediate change would be the answer. As an intern, after working here for one to two months, I would be in a better position to offer feedback on process improvements and engaging the other interns to create a side social club for us. I have taken this approach in the past and it has been successful instead of rushing in to make changes or offer feedback."
Logistical
25. If hired, would you be willing to relocate or travel for work?
How to Answer
Before considering investing in you as a viable candidate, they need to know your flexibility. If you're not sure if you'd be willing to travel or relocate, best to explore that before the interview. The key here is to advertise your flexibility and adaptability. This will go far in conveying that you are a team player.
Answer Example
"Travel and experiencing new cultures, geographies, and cuisine are one of my passions. Knowing that Deloitte has offices worldwide is one of the things that attracted me to compete for this opportunity. There is nothing restricting me from traveling anywhere, should the opportunity arise."
No Experience
26. Tell me about a time when a teacher or professor gave you constructive criticism.
How to Answer
Part of the role of a student is to accept feedback on your work and implement the recommended changes so that you can make yourself better for next time! Take some time to think of any constructive feedback you received and how you responded. Your reaction to feedback and criticism is essential to the interviewer. You should react humbly and highlight your willingness to work hard to improve. Deloitte will ask this, as feedback is given as early as the first week, and they need to ensure you are okay with it and will accept it and learn from it.
Answer Example
"Last term in marketing lecture, I had to give a presentation to the class. I personally felt it went very well, as I had to pick up product to promote to my peers. I felt my slides were great, my delivery was well done, and overall, I felt I probably deserved a good grade. After the presentation, my professor requested a meeting with me. He mentioned that while the presentation was well done, my public speaking skills in my ability to engage the class were quite poor. This caught me off guard and though my first response was to become defensive, I accepted the feedback and felt the professor would not tell me this unless it was true. I practiced presentations with my family and began to feel more comfortable. Just last week after I gave a presentation I received extremely positive feedback regarding my engagement skills; I received an A grade on that presentation."
Skillset
27. Tell me about a time when you used diplomacy to change the outcome of something.
How to Answer
This question seeks to assess your communication skills. Above-average negotiation and communication skills are highly valued by Deloitte. The answer to this question is in how you answer it, meaning you need to avoid speech crutches (um, like, you know, etc.) and try to speak as clearly and concisely as possible while delivering your well-formulated answer. This is one of the most asked questions during Deloitte job interviews. Your communication skills must be above and beyond. How you frame your answer will offer your interviewer insights into how effective you are at communication.
Answer Example
"I try to customize my approach to an individual level, even when in a group environment. If someone offers a suggestion that won't work, or if there is a better way of going about it, I'll always validate their stand point, acknowledge their motives, acknowledge they were on the right track, and inform them on alternative methods which get them closer to their mark. Too many people subconsciously feel their approach is the only approach. I think it is more about them needing to communicate motives and being heard, and about delivering them to their desired outcome. There's always more than one road that leads to a destination."
Skillset
28. How do you remain focused and productive while performing monotonous and repetitive work?
How to Answer
The interviewers are trying to gauge whether you'll be able to stay productive, despite the repetitive nature of the work and won't burnout easily. Give them insights as to how you stay motivated throughout your workday. Detail how you approach your work, regardless of whether the task is high-pressure or monotonous.
Answer Example
"I think in order to stay motivated at work, you have to be motivated by the work. I enjoy working with numbers, and quickly develop a rhythm to my work. My old teammates would call it 'robot mode' when I would zone into the numbers and zone out of my surroundings. I find it stimulating and could do it all day. I enjoy the work, and when the workday is over, I wonder where the time has flown off to."
Skillset
29. What would you uniquely bring to the table here at Deloitte?
How to Answer
Not only are they curious how well you have researched the position, and your familarity with what they are looking for in a candidate, but they are also giving you an opportunity to advertise your merits to that effect. The interviewer is looking to differentiate you from other candidates. It will also give them a glimpse as to how you perceive yourself.
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've been told that my top strength is my attention to detail and never being hesitant to take on something new. Any task I take on I hit the ground running. My comfort zone is having no comfort zone."
Work From Home
30. What would you do if you encountered a communication issue while working remotely?
How to Answer
In 2016, Deloitte was one of the first companies to use hot desks and open spaces. There were 2500 employees and 1000 desks, which could be used on a sign-in basis for staff, sometimes even including senior staff and partners. With this change, employees were also offered the opportunity to work at home, which has only become more popular in recent years and is definitely a likely situation in the future. Explain how you would quickly and efficiently resolve an issue while working remotely.
Answer Example
"If I had a communication issue arise, the first thing I would do is pick up the phone and work the situation out. Whether the issue is with a supplier, a team member, or a client, I believe there is no replacement for a real-time voice conversation. One example of my communication skills in action is when I had a supplier cancel our order due to an inventory issue just days before we were expecting it to arrive. The supplier sent a brief email that I felt was unapologetic and brief. Rather than sending a sharp email back, I picked up the phone and called the supplier. We did some collective troubleshooting, and I was able to make a small change to the order, which allowed us to receive a portion of the inventory right away, and the remainder two weeks later. Had I reacted out of impulse and given the supplier an email in return, there would have been no opportunity to iron out the situation. I am a strong communicator and am willing to have a productive conversation at any time, rather than relying solely on email."