Who are PwC's biggest competitors? How do we stand out from the rest?
There are many management consulting firms out there, from solo-run consultancies to the biggest agencies in the business. Before your interview, research the size of PwC, who their clients are, and who their direct competitors are. Who do they compete against for business? Show the interviewer that you have researched PwC and understand why they are better than the rest! Which offering, in your opinion, makes them stand out?
"I understand the most significant competitors of PwC are A, B, and C. When I researched your firm, these companies continually came up as direct competitors. I combed through their websites and was happy to find that the messaging from PwC was the most consistent. Your firm appears to have the most vision and direction and a more robust client list over a wider range of client industries."
"After researching PwC, I saw that your primary competitors are A and B. These two firms look like they do a good job; however, the consultants seem to rotate often. Most of their consulting teams were greener and without longevity. I appreciate that PwC has teams who are well-tenured. This consistency tells me that you are better able to build client relationships and that your consultants are satisfied with the opportunities and growth here. But what makes PwC stand out is its focus on the future. Through sustainability, inclusion and diversity, and social change, they shift and expand the focus. As PwC mentions on their website, we have to adapt. With COVID and the great resignation to the future of innovation and shifting priorities, you can't just focus on operations; you have to anticipate the trends of social responsibility as well."
Spend less time finding who all their competitors are and more time on what they advertise sets them apart. As they state on their site, "At PwC, while we draw upon our 160-year history, our commitment for the future is clear. Too many people in today's world hold a troubling belief: Businesses can serve either the demands of their shareholders or the well-being of society, but not both. But we've found it's not necessarily a choice between profits and the public good. A company that is guided by purpose and leverages technology effectively in the right business model can drive prosperity and improve health - while also creating significant value. Businesses that already do this recognize the world faces exponential problems that warrant bold action, and that big challenges can yield big payoffs -- for everyone. To address those problems meaningfully, companies need to understand three other exponentials and how their intersection can provide the next leap in value creation."
Unlock all 35 PwC questions
Master the competency-based questions that PwC partners use to evaluate candidates.
Get Started