Tell me about yourself.

"I went to school to earn my degree in widget science and graduated at the top of my class. I landed an internship with ACME Corp, which then turned into a full-time job. I have pursued and been rewarded with a few advancement opportunities in the company, but I feel my career is no longer moving at the velocity I would prefer, nor are there the right opportunities in the right direction for my career. So I started exploring, and in my job search I found EY Global which really felt like the right fit for me, so I am ready to do all it takes to try to earn a position with the company."

There's no right or wrong answer to this question. Your interviewer simply wants to get to know you as a person and as a professional. It can often serve as an icebreaker. But the opportunity here is to put your best foot forward and deliver your elevator pitch as to how you are the right fit for this job, and how it is the right fit for you while showcasing your personality as you communicate your message. The more confident you are, the stronger your performance will be. The confidence that you project to your interviewer will carry over to your expertise.

While researching EY's careers site, you'll find advice they offer their candidates, such as for you to "Be yourself and let's explore how we can make a bigger impact, together. Be succinct. Think about what you want to tell us about yourself, relevant work experience, and your view on current market trends and sector developments. We want to get to know you as an individual and discover your strengths and everything that makes you unique. Focus on the past, present and the future. Think of a few sentences describing your professional persona on a timeline. Mention your background and give a brief summary of your previous experiences, then explain your current employment situation and briefly explain the why are you interested in the role. Close your pitch by sharing your general career aspirations and how the role can help you achieve them."

Here's some more advice from the EY careers website, "Do not try to exploit this question and squeeze in too many facts and information. You may feel tempted to say more about your previous roles or motivation, but be sure that the interviewer has separate questions on hand to explore this, so leave the rest to the later part of the interview. Finish with a question (Optional, but this is a nice conversation starter to continue the next part of the interview). After responding, finish by asking the interviewers if there are questions on what you have shared or if there is anything that they may wish to know more."

Tell me about a recent accomplishment you're proud of.

"During my internship at a financial advisory firm last year, I helped a client develop an investment plan that aligned with his financial goals and risk tolerance. I began by gathering data on the stocks he was interested in, analyzing trends and historical performance to identify the most promising investments. I then used our in-house software to model various scenarios based on the client's age, target retirement date, and risk tolerance. This allowed me to present him with a range of possible outcomes and make a well-informed recommendation about the best stock options to meet his needs."

Your interviewer is looking to get a sense of your experience level and what accomplishment looks like for you. How you answer could potentially provide insights into your system approach, thought processes, analytical and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. It will also inform them of whether your level of ambition and standard for success meet the job requirements, or goes above and beyond.

You'll want to prepare in advance and research everything you can about their standard for excellence, their work culture, their mission, and their values. You'll then want to research yourself and determine how your values and standards for excellence align with theirs. "Our purpose, building a better working world, is the foundation of our culture. At EY, we empower our people with the right mindsets and skills to navigate what's next, become the transformative leaders the world needs, pursue careers as unique as they are, and build their own exceptional EY experiences."

When preparing for your interview, once you've done all your research, practice answering each question in this set. Here are some practice tips from EY's careers site, "Practice, a lot. As you can be almost sure, that this question will appear during the interview, a good idea is to invest some time in practicing this pitch of yours. Note down the key points which you would like to mention, then practice the answer in front of a mirror or record yourself talking. Be mindful of the time, tone and speed of your speech by rehearsing a few times till you are comfortable. You may even get someone to role-play with you and request their feedback."

How adaptable would you say you are to learning new systems and quickly getting up to speed?

"In my current role as a senior analyst at XYZ Firm, I've accrued a wide array of experience with many of the different types of financial and risk analysis software. The company has gone through some incredible transformations, and with how fast technology is evolving, you have to keep up, which I do in my spare time as well. I'm a quick learner and am open to learning any new tools that are unique to EY to be successful in this role."

This question is aimed at how well you know yourself as a professional. EY defines adaptability as, "The ability to anticipate, adjust and evolve to be effective in your environment." How you answer should inform them of how familiar you are with the position, as well as the accuracy of your expectations. Your response will also inform them whether you are the type of individual who asks questions.

While preparing for the role, and determining how your professional character is aligned with theirs, read some of the articles and blogs EY offers. They even have a few articles on adaptability on their Workforce page, "Adaptability has been voted in the top five skills that companies need most in annual LinkedIn surveys year after year. We each have our own unique challenges and changes to which we need to adapt. These changes may be personal or professional, big or small, chosen or forced upon us. Every person, at every level of an organisation, must be able to adapt quickly and effectively. Adaptability is the key skill needed in a world where we don't know what tomorrow's challenges will bring."

EY is looking for enthusiastic and determined candidates who are eager to learn and contribute to the team. Prepare for your interview by researching everything you can about the role, the work environment, the culture, and the onboarding process at the company. Come prepared with all the questions you were unable to answer on your own. Then, when you have a clear understanding of what to expect, answer according to your prior experience. This is also a great opportunity to showcase your time management skills, detailing how you would strategically approach this learning period, and padding the timeframe with the aim of becoming an expert and exceeding expectations, or at the very least allowing for contingencies while still meeting your deadline. Emphasize your willingness to learn and master new skills and your motivation to succeed at EY.

"In my current role, I utilize a lot of Microsoft Excel and VBA to build macros and efficiently present data. I also use a lot of SQL since the company I work for extracted most of their data through that platform. Additionally, I've gotten a lot of exposure to Power BI, Tableau, and Bloomberg throughout my previous roles and through my classes as well. I would say I'm highly adaptable in learning and using new programs since I'm always curious about new software when I'm exposed to it and that curiosity forces me to research everything about it so that I'm well-informed and can apply the skills I've learned."

Would you be interested in traveling or transferring to another location?

"If hired for this role, I would definitely be open to working in various locations. Projecting toward the future, it's difficult to gauge how my priorities might change, but I am determined to grow within the company, and would be grateful for any opportunity presented to me, and would take every opportunity into serious consideration."

In certain roles with EY, they may ask you to travel for work. Or an ideal opportunity within the company might open up, which they may view as a great fit for you. There is also the possibility of your recruiter being aware of another position in the company that they may consider you a good fit for. How you answer this question will offer insights into your flexibility and determination to do whatever it takes to further your career, while equally prioritizing the needs and welfare of the company. So take time to consider whether such an opportunity is in line with your goals. If you are not sure, then say so, and that you would certainly be open to exploring the right opportunity in the future should it present itself. If it is not in line with your goals, it's better to let them know now. It is better to be honest upfront than regret taking the job later.

Here are some value propositions EY advertises on the careers site in their recruiting efforts. "Being part of a global organization offers many opportunities for cross-border experiences. One example is traveling for business internationally, from a single trip, from international relocations to programs that support cross-border experiences, to regular travel on a long-term engagement. Whether for a few days, weeks or more, working across borders provides you with valuable professional development and collaborative opportunities. Your global mindset can take you anywhere. Mobility challenges the way you experience the world. It unites, it opens your eyes, it builds understanding. It amplifies your unique perspective on our global stage. Multicultural thinking, teaming and working are at the heart of our shared success. Every cross-border and cross-service line experience we offer is an opportunity for you to learn, to lead, to innovate, to grow."

What initial hurdles do you anticipate in your first weeks on the job?

"I was comforted to learn that EY tries to make the transition into a new position as comfortable and welcoming as possible. If presented with the opportunity, I would dedicate as much time as necessary to explore the global onboarding technology portal. I would look forward to networking and getting to know everyone on the team and building trusting relationships with them. I would learn to utilize the right tools with speed to help me navigate the complexities ahead facing a prosperous culture."

Your interviewer wants to assess how well you've prepared for your interview. How you answer this question will offer insights to your company knowledge, your fit for the role, and their work culture and values. To demonstrate your cultural fit, share what you've learned to expect of this role, your approach to those challenges you'll face and how you plan to navigate them.

EY's values describe a work culture of "people with energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead. From the moment you accept the offer, you'll find a large community of people at EY ready to welcome you. After an initial induction, you'll have opportunities to network with your peers and to participate in ongoing orientation programs suited to your level of experience. We offer a global onboarding technology portal to make your experience joining EY as smooth as possible. You'll be excited, informed and prepared to complete all necessary tasks prior to joining us. Our goal is to make you feel valued, and give you every chance to succeed here as you begin your exceptional EY experience."And, if you are entering into a leadership position, EY has some statements letting you know what to expect as well: "Making the jump to an esteemed leader does not happen overnight. We're here to equip today's leaders with the right tools to navigate complexity. Successful leaders undergoing the process of identifying with a new role should seek to understand the psychological shifts required in their thinking, behaviours and identity in order to be better aligned to their role. Organisations must value leadership development, disassemble the barriers that new leaders can face as well as create a culture where leaders can prosper."

What questions do you have?

"What do you love most about working for EY? How do the teams feel about this position being filled? Is it a new position or was it vacated? Once onboarded, what does a day on the job look like in this post?"

Towards the end of every interview, your interviewer will be curious about how actively you take charge of your own development. It will also prove informative regarding your work ethic, as the questions you respond with stand to reveal the depth of your research on the company and whether you made every attempt to answer your questions on your own. It will inform them of how far ahead you are looking beyond this interview, and your scope of the big picture view with what working with them looks like. It also stands to reveal whether you've taken note of additional questions raised throughout the interview itself. And lastly, how original your questions are will reveal how outside of the box your thinking is.

EY offers interview advice on their website, including tips on how to navigate this question when it comes up. They explain that how you answer this question allows your interviewer to see the depth of your skills and previous experience, and advise when answering this question, try to avoid the most commonly asked questions. "Come in with questions. It's an exciting, dynamic time in professional services, and in all the industries we serve, driven by new technologies and new ways of working. If you're engaged, then you should also be curious and inquisitive. If you really can't think of a question, you can always ask the interviewer about his or her personal experience at our organization."

Why do you want to work for EY?

"I've had my eye on this role with EY for a long time, and I'm at a point in my career where I've built up the skill set that aligns well with this position. My career goals are very ambitious, and there is nothing more motivating in accomplishing your goals than being surrounded by teams that are the best of the best. I absolutely love what EY says on its website about being cyber gurus, risk managers, problem solvers, change agents, performance improvers, data scientists, growth hackers, and confidence builders. My professional and personal values align with EY's values and purpose to build a better working world. I feel confident that I would be a solid addition to the team and would feel honored to pursue what is, without a doubt, my dream career here at EY."

Prepare what you want to focus on in your answer by identifying what made you decide to pursue this opportunity. Research the role and their company values, culture, and working environment. Focus on your personal and professional goals, your skill set, and what made this feel like a mutually compatible fit. "Understand the job requirements and make sure they align to your skills. If you don't have the exact requirements, think about the skills you have that are transferable and could be leveraged in a different way." Align what EY can do for you, and why your experiences and skills would make you a valuable asset to EY.

EY's global recruiter asks, "If you could create the ideal job, what would that look like? What are elements that you are willing to be flexible on?" On EY's careers site they describe themselves as "change agents and cyber gurus. Performance improvers and problem solvers. Data scientists and growth hackers. Bot programmers and software builders. Risk managers and confidence builders. We're over 395,000 global perspectives ready to welcome yours."

Where would you like to take your career in the next five years?

"I am a lifelong learner and look forward to how technology will evolve. So, although I have taken great care in crafting my career goals for the next five years, it is critical to remain flexible, especially pertaining to how the latest technological advancements may change the field. The more I learn, the more I am fine-tuning where I want to go. For example, the more I learned about Ernst & Young, the more I realized I wanted to work here. I have a bold and ambitious five-year career plan, and I truly believe the best path forward is with EY."

This question will help your interviewer understand whether you have a clear direction where you're taking your career or if you are simply cruising along, looking for a stable job, and happy with the status quo. It also aims to determine whether you see working with EY as a long-term fit, and if their value propositions pertaining to further career opportunities had anything to do with you pursuing this opportunity. "Your bold ambition is just the beginning. Harness our global scale, our tech, our teams and our culture to realize your potential. Learn from the best, surround yourself with the curious, ask better questions to seek better answers and build a better working world."

Use this as an opportunity to highlight the initiative you've taken to improve professionally, where you've envisioned you want to take your career in the next five years, and the next major goals you hope to accomplish to get there. Ultimately, you want to showcase that you see a clear path ahead in a career with them.

Why are you looking for a job?

"Just a few weeks ago, I learned the company I am working for was making some cutbacks, and they are eliminating another department and absorbing that department's staff into other departments, including mine. As glad as I am that no one was going to be let go amongst these cutbacks, the path we'd set forward to advance my career was no longer viable. Several other employees were re-titled into those positions and the growth opportunities I was promised were no longer there for me to advance into within acceptable timeframes, according to my goals. As grateful as I am for all the company has given me, this was basically a breach of our contract, and my priority is my career. So I informed my boss of my plan to seek opportunities elsewhere that could accommodate my career goals and gave them as much notice as it would take for me to find a good fit. My boss was very grateful and took advantage of this opportunity for me to train my successor. Looking back, what made this the most difficult for me was seeing how much of an impact I had on the company and our teams, and it is going to be hard to say goodbye."

This question is aimed at learning more about the context of why you are switching employers. Whatever your reasons, keep in mind that their ideal candidates are career-driven, eager to learn and develop their skills, and specifically want to take their career further with them. As EY advertises, "We're interested in your strengths, what you want to learn, and how far you want to go." So demonstrate your drive for success by discussing the lessons you learned from your previous employers, how they were able to advance you as a professional, and where you hope to take your career next.

EY's global recruiters advise their candidates to do their research on EY's company purpose and values and identify the effective keywords they use and incorporate them into their answers where they can. "Do your research on the company and what they have to say specifically about their values. Review their purpose statement and key values. Note down the key values and the most important keywords from the purpose statement. Now, try to think how to incorporate them, but remember to stay true to yourself."

How do you approach learning new skills?

"Through continuous learning opportunities, conferences, mentoring, networking opportunities, and training to stay on top of the latest emerging technology, I keep asking questions. I'm drawn to EY, in particular, for its leadership training and growth opportunities which I find engaging and motivating. I learn from my failures and push myself to grow outside of my comfort zone. I carve out time each week to focus on something new and never give up."

This question has little to do with your process of studying or learning. Its aim is to help your interviewer determine how actively you take charge of your own development. From actively listening at every opportunity to pursuing new learning opportunities, responsibilities, volunteering to advance your skills in a professional setting any time the opportunity arises, to taking online courses in your personal time. Take account of every opportunity you have pursued to learn new skills as well as your plans for doing so in the near future.

EY is looking to hire professionals who are motivated to adapt and learn new skills. As EY states on its careers site, "Understand your role in creating the sustainable growth and long-term value." Demonstrate your ambition to grow, that you actively take charge of your own development, and you perceive your professional curiosity as a good fit for EY's team culture.

"One of the important reasons that I am very much inclined to the company, in particular, is the emphasis they give on providing great training and learning opportunities for the latest and emerging technologies. Learning new skills keeps me engaged and motivated in the job. I will love to participate in conferences, and training sessions conducted within the organization. I would be more than happy to leverage the knowledge base platform of the company for video tutorials so that I can understand the subject from scratch. I will also love to leverage my newly learned skill in solving real-time business problems and prefer to get it reviewed by my senior colleagues and subject matter experts."

"My approach to learning new skills consists of going into things with an open mind and always being willing to adapt to the new challenges that come with acquiring a new skill. I also think it is essential to communicate with others as much as possible and be open to hearing and understanding new perspectives about the skill. I think it is also essential to research this skill as much as you can since there are so many resources out there."

What motivates you on the job?

"In the short term, I thrive in fast-paced work environments, and I'm confident in my ability to pick up any new skills at speed. I am motivated by helping out anywhere I can, and the more trusted I am with new skills and responsibilities, the more motivated I am. In the long term, I am motivated by being rewarded with opportunities to reach my career goals and milestones in the timeframes I have set up for myself to advance them."

This question aims to determine whether they are a good fit for you in your career and whether they can meet your expectations and continue to keep you motivated and engaged. This question offers you an opportunity to share your career goals, and where you hope a career with EY will take you. By sharing the career goals, the milestones you hope to achieve, and the time frames you hope to achieve them by, they can better understand what you hope to achieve with them, what you can achieve together, and how they can continue to fuel your job satisfaction, paving the way to a mutually beneficial professional relationship.

As they advertise online, "Ernst & Young LLP is guided by a purpose that we hope will inspire and motivate you: building a better working world." So go beyond researching the position, the company, and the department you would be working in. Explore the other career opportunities they have which you are not yet qualified for, but would like to grow into. Determine the direction you would like to take your career with them and customize your five-year career plan accordingly. EY offers similar advice online. "We encourage you to get to know us better, who we are, what we do and what we think, and learn how those principles align with your own passions and personal and professional goals. EY is a place where you'll have more than a job. You'll have the kind of career that can only come from an inclusive, supportive work environment, coaching and mentorship at every step, high expectations and, of course, exceptional people."

"As someone who thrives in a fast-paced work environment, I keep myself motivated when dealing with stress in the work environment by clearly outlining my responsibilities so that I won’t get overwhelmed and making sure I stay on top of my tasks. I think it is also important to understand that people’s stress may not be directed at you since they might be under a lot of pressure. Understanding this helps me keep myself balanced and also look for opportunities where I can be of help to my coworkers."

Describe your ideal working environment.

"From my experience, the more clear I am on everyone's objectives, and what each member of the team has to contribute, the more of a team player I can be. I am most productive when I have a clear view of the big picture. So, with a strong foundation, I can work in an office or remotely. I am very self-managed in my work, but the more control I have over my environment, the more productive I can be. For example, at home, I use a combination of background sounds and music. Studies have proven that birdsong boosts focus and productivity, as does Mozart."

How you answer this question allows your interviewer to see how self-aware and determined you are as a professional, your critical thinking skills, and whether you have identified the key components to driving your own success. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question, it should be individualized. Speak intelligently about your ideal working environment or conditions, how you navigate the challenges of those conditions not being met, and your awareness of the working environment EY offers.

Here is some advice offered by one of EY's Recruiting Leaders. "Think about the type of role you are looking for and where you want to work. Is there a specific type of work environment or culture that you are looking for? Is there a specific company or establishment you want to work for? Do some research on the internet to find out more about that company. Talk to people in the field or company you are interested in. Learn about the day-to-day responsibilities and think about how you would feel completing those tasks daily."

Throughout your interview, questions such as this will offer you opportunities to advertise how their value propositions appealed to you and drew you to pursue an opportunity with them. Not only does this appeal to them by showcasing which of their recruitment efforts are working, but it also reveals that you did your research, and genuinely identified this as a good fit for a long-term career opportunity. For example, here are some value propositions from EY's careers page advertising the benefits of their flexible working environment."At EY, we understand life's challenges and complexities. We know everyone is juggling a career with priorities outside of work. Work in an environment that will help you succeed in your professional and personal life - because when you're at your best, we're at ours. Whether your colleagues are on a different floor, on a different continent or completely virtual, we help you get your work done responsibly and flexibly while managing your busy life. Connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Mobility challenges the way you experience the world. Your mindset can take you anywhere."

Discuss how you approach explaining complex ideas in simple terms.

"I strive for a straightforward and concise communication style with clients and colleagues. I focus on listening to my audience and echoing their language style to communicate what they need to hear. I use analogies and ensure that my tone is never patronizing. I strive to convey my message in simple terms, with humility, rather than deep-diving into details. I also stay informed, so that I know all the details before speaking with conviction on any topic."

This question aims to help assess how skilled a communicator you are. A crucial part of effective communication is being able to relay complex information in simpler terms. How effective you are at this will determine the success of your customer service, and your ability to work with, mentor, and train others on your team. So when answering this question try to communicate as clearly as possible and adapt your communication style to your interviewer's.

Some common approaches are knowing your audience, keeping yourself open to questions and feedback, and using analogies and visuals when necessary, while checking in with your audience to ensure they understand what you are communicating. Also, familiarize yourself with EY's recommendations for good communication, such as personalizing your answers, addressing both short and long-term concepts, being proactive in your communication, communicating with empathy while improving your emotional connection, and measuring and understanding the experience you are providing.

"I would focus on listening to my audience and understanding their needs and goals and then make a straightforward and concise communication so that I can echo their language. I will always prefer to use charts and graphs to give high-level summaries for the convoluted backend details. Also, I will always ensure that I use a very polite and courteous tone and it is never patronizing towards clients."

What does professional integrity mean to you?

"For me, personal and professional integrity are one and the same. My character is guided by my integrity, and my actions are guided by doing the right thing, regardless of how difficult that sometimes may be. In every position I have held, I have familiarized myself with the code of conduct of the company and know it forward and backward. If I am in a professional relationship with a company, then I honor that relationship and do my part in protecting it. That includes protecting our mutual interests, and acting honestly, ethically, and respectfully, while abiding by the law."

Some interview questions are designed to get to know you better as a candidate, some are to size up your fit for their culture, and some are a test of your work ethic, directly referring to information readily available on their website or online publications. For example, EY describes their professional integrity in their Global Code Of Conduct, which you can find online. So familiarize yourself with how EY defines professional integrity and determine the ways in which you are aligned.

"Our professional integrity... We comply with laws, regulations, and standards in our professional conduct. We uphold the EY reputation. We do not misrepresent the position that EY takes in professional and other matters. We promote a culture of consultation. We address questions of ethics and consult appropriately to help resolve them. We do not hide from or ignore issues. We understand and comply with all EY policies, guidance and procedures, including those which are supported by our system of quality management. We provide an ethics hotline for reporting sensitive ethical issues. We acknowledge that each of us is responsible for keeping our professional knowledge up to date and for sharing best practices and innovation."

What would you say is your personal brand?

"I would say that my personal and professional purpose is to try, in my own way, to help build a better future, for myself and for the world, and seizing every opportunity to do so that presents itself. To feel confident that I am making a positive impact, and to deliver on my promise that the decision I make will be guided with integrity."

The root of this question is to determine how aligned you are with their brand, which is defined by their company purpose and culture. According to EY's recruiters, having strong skills "won't land you the job, if your personal values are not in line with the company's mission and purpose. Do your research on the company and what they have to say specifically about their values. Note the key values and the most important keywords from the purpose statement. Have you have strongly committed to any of these values? Is there any way you could showcase your working style as a match to the company's culture? Try to think how to incorporate them, but remember to stay true to yourself."

Examine EY's purpose statement for some of their keywords. "Our purpose. At EY, our purpose is building a better working world. The insights and quality services we provide help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all our stakeholders." Some keywords you could extract are building, insight, quality, trust, confidence, outstanding, develop, deliver, and promise.

What is your experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

"I am a people person and am curious by nature. I am always eager to learn about other people, and the more diverse, the better. If someone has a unique perspective of experience, I want to know more about it. The more I learn, the better a team player I can be. Everyone has something to contribute, not just to the team, but to each team member's development. The more tools in my box, the better. You'll find I am approachable and open, eager, helpful, and optimistic."

This question is a test of your cultural competence. How you answer will inform them of how effectively you will communicate and collaborate with EY's teams and customers, and how you would represent their reputation. So spend time familiarizing yourself with their diversity and inclusion statements, and reflect on your valued experiences and the role they played in your professional development.

"We believe diversity and inclusiveness means growth. Multicultural thinking, teaming, and flexible working are at the heart of our shared success. It unites, it opens your eyes; it builds understanding. It amplifies your unique perspective on our global stage, leads and inspires others in the work they do every day. The ability to invite, leverage and learn from different perspectives is key to how we work and how we live our values. We hold a collective commitment to continue to drive an environment where all differences are valued, practices are equitable and everyone experiences a sense of belonging. Diversity, equity, and inclusiveness are core to who we are."

How do you stay up to date in your field?

"I stay up to date on industry news through a very customized newsfeed, including several subscriptions at X, Y, and Z publications. I attend conferences and conventions of interest. Just in the past year, I've attended both the Data Fest and Data Summit national conferences. I belong to a few online industry networking groups, actively listen to and learn from my peers, keep myself up to date, and I take pride in being considered a trusted resource of information."

Your interviewer is curious how relevant your knowledge is in serving as a representative of their company while reflecting the company's positions and views. Consider this question an opportunity to share your passion for your field and industry, while showcasing yourself as a trusted resource of information. Whether you stay up to date in your industry through reading articles, blogs, and email newsletters, or attending lectures, seminars, conferences, or conventions, to any continuing education you have completed, and any societies or groups you belong to, you'll ultimately want to align your views with what you've learned from the news sources EY offers online. Explore the Newsroom on their website, as well as the blogs, resources of information, and articles. Read up on any articles the company has posted on LinkedIn as well. Also, don't forget to ask your interviewer what sources of information they rely on as well to try to spark some conversation and make yourself a more memorable candidate.

EY's recruiters offer the following advice, "Following the news on the company should now become your everyday morning coffee read. Stay up to date with press releases about the company, and connect on social media, i.e., follow their Facebook page and Instagram account. Make sure to read independent news about the company by setting up notifications about references to the company. Finally, try to map a few leaders from this company on LinkedIn and follow their profiles, to review their posts and articles in your news feed."

How do you cope with stress?

"Well, the first step to managing situational stress is to ensure that you aren't already carrying stress as a condition. What I mean is, control your own environment through effective time management and prioritize your wellness. I go for a bike ride through the forest every day as part of my morning routine. I eat well, meditate, and do yoga. I get sufficient sleep, dedicate time to my family and friends, and tend to all of my professional and mundane demands appropriately. In other words, I eliminate conditional stress, and that way when situational stress arises, meaning the unplanned or the unexpected, I just deal with the situation and get through it without letting my stress get the better of me."

How effectively you manage your stress on the job stands to impact your performance in every way. Someone who has trouble managing their stress may make their stress known, allow it to impact the morale of the team, and suffer from task paralysis or task procrastination. Whereas someone who experiences stress and is capable of managing it will act decisively, continue to perform at speed, quickly and smoothly as possible, with continuous delivery. So when answering this question, share how you manage stress on the job, and how you take time to recover and to restore your emotional balance.

Here are some tips from one of EY's blogs on managing stress: "Take 5 minutes a day to write down what you are grateful for. Those who are accepting and happy with their current situation tend to give off positive energy. Write down your daily accomplishments, no matter how big or small. Spend time every day outside. Studies show that we need adequate amounts of Vitamin D and the being in the sun for as little as 10 mins a day helps build that vitamin D. Spend time every day doing something physical, go for a walk, garden, ride a bike. Set a goal to accomplish something significant. Build something, learn a new hobby, build your networks. Once you accomplish that goal, set a new one to continue your growth."

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

"Over the years, I have increasingly improved managing my time and setting aside time for preparing for my day and my week. I do my laundry on the weekends. I do batch cooking and meal preparations for the week. I make sure my work clothes are folded, ironed, and set out the night before. I make sure to fill my gas tank at the end of a shift instead of being caught off guard on my way to work. I also set aside time to manage my personal finances and make sure nothing from my personal life that needs attention infringes upon my work hours. Everything is addressed proactively. I also take care of my mind, body, and spirit proactively as well, and set aside personal time for pleasure, family, and friends."

EY has invested in providing personal benefits to their employees to ensure their workforce maintains a strong sense of job satisfaction, which leads to a sustainable workforce and higher job retention rates. Before they consider hiring a candidate, the recruiter needs to determine whether they're taking measures to prioritize their own well-being. How you answer should inform your interviewer how sustainable of an employee you would be and how your on-the-job performance and behaviors would impact the rest of their teams. Someone whose work-life balance is off is likely to burnout on the job quickly, have a negative outlook, bring their personal problems to work with them, or have difficulty managing their time or their workload, and bring their work home with them.

Familiarize yourself with the well-being contributions EY makes. "Better You. Wellbeing. Reimagined. Better You is our commitment to helping you achieve the vitality needed to perform at your best, both inside and outside the workplace. It is our holistic approach to wellbeing, providing you with carefully curated benefits, programs and tools for your physical, emotional/daily life, financial and social well-being. Find a good balance between the job routine and your personal life. Include the necessary time for a daily workout, chores, and spending time with your closest ones. Do your daily run around industry news websites and make sure you are on track with what is happening in the market."

How would your coworkers describe you?

"My coworkers have told me that they look forward to working with me and that I am a bright spot in their day. I'm a good listener and easy to communicate with, collaborate with, and am very positive, optimistic, and a pacesetter. I believe in what I can do for the team and thereby believe in what my coworkers can do for the team. I have been told that I am encouraging, and a motivator."

This question is aimed at assessing how self-aware you are of how others may perceive you, as opposed to how you want to be seen, or how you see yourself. This is a matter of emotional intelligence, and how mindful you are in how you present yourself in a professional setting. So reflect on the comments your coworkers have shared with you in the past or the feedback they've delivered. If you have trouble with this, explore the comments in your past performance reviews. Be truthful and sincere in your response, and keep in mind how EY describes what they look for in the people they choose to employ.

"Who we are... People who demonstrate integrity, respect, teaming and inclusiveness. People with energy, enthusiasm and the courage to lead. People who build relationships based on doing the right thing. We build relationships with each other based on a shared trust and confidence that each of us has a personal and professional commitment to do the right thing. We respect one another, we value differences, and we strive for an inclusive environment. We consult with each other and value the perspectives of those who are different from us, and those who challenge our own point of view. We nurture integrity, respect, teaming and inclusiveness. We are committed to communicating openly and honestly. We encourage and support the professional development of our colleagues and promote individual achievement and continuous learning. We expect and deliver feedback regularly, candidly and constructively, and positively recognize success."

What are the top 3 skills you have acquired in your last role?

"One of my strongest skills is being able to set pace and motivate the rest of our team. I have been called team captain more times than I can count. This ties in with another of my skills, and that is my ability to coach others. I am something of a go-to person. Everyone is always coming to me asking for something, whether it is an answer to a question, or to show them something new. Also, I would say time management is one of my strongest skills. Right from the beginning, I know whether it can be done in the time allowed. I can plan accordingly, prioritize effectively, and delegate when appropriate, always delivering ahead of the deadline."

Your interviewer is curious how your skills would uniquely contribute to their teams, and how they are relevant to the role. Consider which of all of your hard and soft skills would best serve the profile they are looking for. From generating reports, creating effective presentations, to coaching and mentoring, reflect on those skills that best showcase your professional worth and make you unique.

When listing your top skills, EY advises candidates to think of what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, and those skills or activities of which you are the "go-to" person. They also suggest you determine whether the job you are contending for would provide you with the opportunity to use those skills to fulfill your purpose. "In order to present your skills in the way you want them to come across, first define them. Make a list of your top 3-5 skills and think about how you have used those skills in the past."

What is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

"One of my strengths is my laser-sharp focus. I have a keen eye for detail and am very analytical by nature. This also lends to my outside-of-the-box view and my own unique brand of innovation. My mind is always taking things apart and putting them back together better. So I am frequently streaming systems with a focus on simplicity and preserving assets by eliminating unnecessary expenditures. However, on the flip side of this coin is one of my weaknesses, and that is how I tend to be introverted and have difficulty making my voice known or heard. I've been working on finding my voice when meeting with upper-level management. While I know the ideas I bring to the table are valuable, I've always struggled to put myself out there, especially when talking to people in positions of authority. So I have been working on feeling more confident when I pitch ideas. I've primarily focussed on this growth opportunity the last few months, and one of my colleagues even recently commented that he had noticed a tremendous improvement in me making my contributions known rather than being a stealth worker."

When sharing your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses, you'll be sharing your level of professional experience, your emotional intelligence, and your self-awareness. You'll inform your interviewer of whether you take ownership of your growth opportunities. When answering this question, be honest and sincere. Share a strength that you are proud of and a weakness that you are aware of and actively working on. Admitting to your weakness is, in itself, a sign of great strength.

When answering this question, avoid volunteering a weakness that's a core competency for the job. Reflect on traits you are actively working on, and which EY can potentially help with your development. EY's ideal candidates have developed "high levels of self-awareness to recognise their areas of strength and weakness. This will enable them to identify where they need to deliberately practice, refine, and exercise."

Tell me about the last time you took the lead.

"I've held a few positions at my current company and am celebrated for my coaching and team building abilities. A few months into my current position, my boss informed me we were starting a new intern program and tasked me with orienting and managing our first team of three interns. Since this was the pilot program, a nine-week program I diligently planned each week with the aim of enhancing their professional development while delivering a great experience. Our aim was to groom them into our ideal employees, yet giving them transferable skills to launch their careers elsewhere. The big picture was to make our program more desirable than what was offered by our competition. I checked in on their progress with twice-weekly check-in meetings with each intern. At the end of the program, the interns rated their job satisfaction at a 9.5/10. I loved leading a team of junior employees. I grew as a professional as a result of helping them grow."

Your interviewer is aiming to assess your leadership experience level or potential. When answering this question, try to showcase how going above and beyond is your status quo. Share how your aim is to exceed expectations and your efforts are to consistently contribute to the greater success of the team. In your example, whether you furthered your own personal growth or the growth of others, try to align your approach with that of Ernst & Young Global.

According to some of their leadership statements, it sounds as if their leadership style falls somewhere in the range of transformational and coaching, and directive to democratic. "From personal growth to the growth of others: Stepping into a leadership role means that your performance is dependent on the degree to which you can achieve goals through enabling others, while simultaneously holding accountability for the outcome. This will require you to empower and delegate effectively, to bring out the potential of your reports, as opposed to benchmarking your success purely on your performance."

Describe a time when your leadership was challenged.

"A while back, I managed a team of ten individuals within our client services department. I learned quickly that there was quite a bit of animosity on the team, particularly between two team members who did not get along. So I pulled these two aside to address their differences. They both deflected and called my leadership abilities into question, suggesting it was my management style that was the cause of their discord. So I smiled, leaned forward, and tilted my head, opening my body language up and asked them what in particular I had contributed to this issue. They stammered and suggested that I was to blame for pairing them together and suggested I am uncommunicative. I expressed that everyone else on the team prioritizes the needs of the team over personal preference and that the rest of the team works well together. I asked them if that was a reflection of my leadership as well, or if that was a reflection of each member of the team. I also pointed out that everyone else on the team was running ahead of the deadline and asked if I was responsible for that as well. They then turned the focus of their negativity on each other, and I was successfully able to address the complaints they had about each other, which unsurprisingly was a result of their messy communication and coordination with each other. Once their communication was smoothed over, and things deescalated, I handled this challenging situation by meeting more regularly with them and continuing to build a foundation for them working well with each other. I value open communication and am direct when addressing the root causes of conflicts. I do well at developing strategies to address them. I strategically create smaller teams within the overall team suited to their professional strengths. After a few months, the team was running much more smoothly, and those two individual developed a strong bond."

Your interviewer is curious about how effectively you communicate and how you conduct yourself as a leader, especially when challenged. In their diversity, equity, and inclusion statements, it is clear they steer clear from an autocratic leadership approach, leaning toward embracing diplomacy, and ensuring everyone's voice is heard without the fear of retaliation of any kind. How you answer will inform them whether you can respond to such situations objectively rather than react emotionally.

Demonstrate tolerance and empathy when faced with adversity, being receptive to feedback, with the aim of continuously developing yourself as a leader. "From directive to diplomatic: The notion of influencing without authority is crucial here; the newfound authority that comes with the job must be handled carefully, and persuasion skills honed. Leaders must also learn to deal with the various polarities and dilemmas, particularly in the form of conflict management and compromise."

How would you describe your leadership style?

"My leadership style is transformative, influencer, and semi-democratic. I believe in enhancing team relations, getting everyone to participate in the big picture vision, and being highly focussed on development through identifying each team member's strengths and growth opportunities and getting them fullly invested and proactive in the development. A great team cannot win without a good coach."

Your interviewer is trying to assess your leadership potential, and whether you are aware of the primary styles of leadership. How you answer should also inform them whether you looked into identifying what EY's leadership culture looks like as a consideration when deciding if theirs is a preferrable work environment. "Leading into tomorrow. As leaders drive transformation, refresh their strategies, and manage risk, they must also evolve their culture to support new ways of working. Culture is defined by unwritten rules that set expectations for how people decide and behave. It is reflected by what people actually do every day, by what's celebrated, emphasized and overlooked. The decisions made today will shape the world."

Prior to your interview, perform some basic research on the type of leadership EY celebrates and tries to recruit. Then reflect on the leadership style and skills you developed over the years. If you don't have much leadership experience, think of those leaders who you admire or which served as a role model or mentor to you. Then determine the leadership style which best describes you. Your answer can touch on how these traits would fit into EY's mission, emphasizing growth and embracing change.

When the unexpected occurs, how do you go about prioritizing multiple demands at the same time?

"I dealt with contingencies regularly and I am in my comfort zone when they occur. Communicating effectively is essential to navigating each circumstance. I just keep my eye on the big picture, communicate my thinking with other members of the team, integrate what they have to contribute to the situation, keep a keen eye on the details and on every ball in the air, utilize every resource at our disposal and seize every advantage. You just have to be ready to change course at a moment's notice."

Your interviewer is curious how well you are able to maintain your focus under pressure, and whether you prioritize the needs of the team or prioritize your work, according to your personal preference to cope with your stress. Consider this as an opportunity to showcase your ability to keep a level head, and your systematic approach to prioritizing according to need.

As they specify on EY's website, their ideal candidates keep their eye on the big picture, are capable of long-term strategic thinking, have a high attention to detail, and are resourceful and innovative. "A shift from focusing on the details to appreciating the bigger picture is imperative. Effective performance will be reliant on your ability to engage in long-term strategic thinking. Instead of fixating on the details of everyday procedural problems and find ways to sustain growth."

How do you approach having to make a decision without all the information you need on hand?

"Well, from day one I look at a huge part of my job as making the job of my leaders easier by being the best I can be. This includes actively listening, asking questions, and learning everything I can, from the full scope of the big picture to anticipating needs. So, when leadership is absent and a decision needs to be made in real-time, I quickly take what I've learned to chart a course our leadership would take. I would then lean on the rest of our teams, and get their impulse opinion on this approach and would act decisively from there. A good plan today is better than a better plan tomorrow."

This question is aimed at assessing how resourceful you are and your approach to taking calculated risks. Ambiguity is an inevitable part of most jobs. How you respond in such situations should inform them of whether you act decisively using all the tools at your disposal, whether you don't act, wait for someone else to make decisions, or whether you react rashly, without considering all the implications of your action. Your response will prove informative of your experience level and how self-managed you are in your work.

Using all the tools at your disposal when you don't have all the information you need often means turning to the other members of your team. As they say at EY, "don't be resigned to face seemingly impossible odds on your own." Taking a calculated risk often equates to making an informed decision without all the necessary information. In other words, is the course you chart forward a safe bet, and one that would preserve the chain of command and benefit the team? Demonstrate your ability to run with a situation, even if you don't have each piece of the puzzle. Showcase that you don't require constant hand-holding and that you have leadership potential, and are willing to take decisive action for the benefit of the team. Frame your comfort zone as being comfortable with uncertainty, while able to exercise solid logical reasoning skills to find the best path forward. EY defines the status quo as "every mission the same, with no strategy to turn your transformation ambitions into reality. But knowing where to invest your efforts to drive value demands a fundamental shift both in how you create value and in what you value, agility vs. predictability, innovation vs. strategic planning, systems thinking vs. operating model."

Describe a time you contributed meaningfully to your team's resilience.

"For a recent long-term client project, I set our objectives by making sure every member of the team realized they were each a stakeholder in our success by making sure everyone had a clear view of the big picture. I did just distribute tasks but made sure each and every one of them understood why each part was important and how it fit into the big picture. I made sure everyone had a buddy who they would immediately turn to for help if they needed it. If that next person needed help from the other, they had someone to turn to. We had routine check-ins to make sure everyone had everything they needed at all times. We celebrated every success together, constantly patting each other on the back while continuing to charge forward. Each milestone reached increased our momentum to pursue the next. We played on everyone's strengths and challenged ourselves collectively to summit the mountain. And we did, a week ahead of schedule."

This is another question aimed at testing your familiarity with Ernst & Young's framework. "Team resilience refers to a team's ability to absorb, cope with, and recover from pressures, challenges, or adversity. Resilient teams outperform those who are not, because of their ability to both handle and thrive on pressure." How aligned you are should give your interviewer a sense of how effectively you'll operate in their teams, and how quickly they can expect you to get up to speed and contribute in a meaningful way. Give your interviewer a specific example of a team scenario in which you contributed to your team's resilience in a stressful, high-pressure situation.

Here are some more tips from EY's framework for team resilience: "Work with your team to create a purpose that energizes and mobilizes them. Role model the actions you want to see and go out of your way to acknowledge other team members when you see them doing the same. Develop a culture of team learning so that your team reflects on what went well and what didn't. Watch out for the warning signs of complacency or anxiety and address them openly. Set each member a personal challenge to match their level of skill so they feel challenged yet determined they can succeed."

What key elements would you say help you create high-performing teams?

"Well, I start by being mindful of how we can all work together, playing off of each of our strengths. That means trusting the rest of the team and maintaining their trust in me. I make sure I keep my finger on the pulse, and tend to the needs of every member who is in need. Coaching those who need a little help, carrying any extra weight when needed, setting the pace, and cheering everyone over the finish line at speed."

Your interviewer is not only curious what your approach to teamwork looks like, but how familiar you are with thiers. This will help them better determine how well you would collaborate with their teams and drive their success. Familiarize yourself with their teamwork model, while showcasing your ability to both lead others and be led by others, and using examples of times that you've done both.

As practiced in their consultancy, they recommend managing a business by placing a heavy focus on developing five key elements that create high-performing teams. Team Mind, Team Emotion, Team Process, Team Leadership, and Team Edge. Team mind refers to the 'shared thinking" within the team. Team emotion is how team members feel about each other, and their team as a whole. Team process describes what the team does that allows them to continuously adapt and perform at a high level. Read up on all you can and familiarize yourself with these five key elements prior to your interview.

How do you go about building and maintaining relationships in the workplace?

"Without having any true context for who you may be replacing or how openly accepting your new teams will be of you, I go in with humility and the aim of building trust. I start by being humble and transparent. The first step to earning the trust of others is by allowing yourself to first trust in them and their intentions. I build trust by working hard and helping everyone out wherever I can, without consideration of self-gain. I want them to know what they expect from me. It is a learning experience after all. It's important. We spend so much of our lives together in the workplace. Developing positive work relationships is reliant on demonstrating a consistent work ethic and showing a sincere interest in who they are as professionals and individuals."

Your interviewer has to take into account all the other stakeholders when making a decision about who to hire. Even if they find a candidate they prefer, they have to consider whether that individual will get along with all the other members of their team. With every decision they make, their credibility as a recruiter and team builder is on the line. So this question is aimed at determining how proactive you'll be in building trusting relationships and integrating yourself into EY's culture while onboarding with the company.

Share your personal approach to relationship-building, collaboration, and how the relationships you've built have helped you as a professional. Showcase your interpersonal skills, and how you earn trust through strong communication, humility, active listening, and taking every opportunity to learn from others. "High-performing teams focus on developing a shared understanding. This brings with it a greater need for connections and social skills; relationships must actively be built and maintained, not left only to be resurrected when needed."

EY Interview Questions

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1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Tell me about a recent accomplishment you're proud of.
3. How adaptable would you say you are to learning new systems and quickly getting up to speed?
4. Would you be interested in traveling or transferring to another location?
5. What initial hurdles do you anticipate in your first weeks on the job?
6. What questions do you have?
7. Why do you want to work for EY?
8. Where would you like to take your career in the next five years?
9. Why are you looking for a job?
10. How do you approach learning new skills?
11. What motivates you on the job?
12. Describe your ideal working environment.
13. Discuss how you approach explaining complex ideas in simple terms.
14. What does professional integrity mean to you?
15. What would you say is your personal brand?
16. What is your experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment?
17. How do you stay up to date in your field?
18. How do you cope with stress?
19. How do you balance your personal and professional life?
20. How would your coworkers describe you?
21. What are the top 3 skills you have acquired in your last role?
22. What is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?
23. Tell me about the last time you took the lead.
24. Describe a time when your leadership was challenged.
25. How would you describe your leadership style?
26. When the unexpected occurs, how do you go about prioritizing multiple demands at the same time?
27. How do you approach having to make a decision without all the information you need on hand?
28. Describe a time you contributed meaningfully to your team's resilience.
29. What key elements would you say help you create high-performing teams?
30. How do you go about building and maintaining relationships in the workplace?

EY Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. Tell me about a recent accomplishment you're proud of.

3. How adaptable would you say you are to learning new systems and quickly getting up to speed?

4. Would you be interested in traveling or transferring to another location?

5. What initial hurdles do you anticipate in your first weeks on the job?

6. What questions do you have?

7. Why do you want to work for EY?

8. Where would you like to take your career in the next five years?

9. Why are you looking for a job?

10. How do you approach learning new skills?

11. What motivates you on the job?

12. Describe your ideal working environment.

13. Discuss how you approach explaining complex ideas in simple terms.

14. What does professional integrity mean to you?

15. What would you say is your personal brand?

16. What is your experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

17. How do you stay up to date in your field?

18. How do you cope with stress?

19. How do you balance your personal and professional life?

20. How would your coworkers describe you?

21. What are the top 3 skills you have acquired in your last role?

22. What is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

23. Tell me about the last time you took the lead.

24. Describe a time when your leadership was challenged.

25. How would you describe your leadership style?

26. When the unexpected occurs, how do you go about prioritizing multiple demands at the same time?

27. How do you approach having to make a decision without all the information you need on hand?

28. Describe a time you contributed meaningfully to your team's resilience.

29. What key elements would you say help you create high-performing teams?

30. How do you go about building and maintaining relationships in the workplace?