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Web: www.pwcglobal.com | HQ: New York, NY

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Updated Feb 12, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 620 ratings

2.8

“Average” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 620 ratings

Positive	65%
Neutral	28%
Negative	6%

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41–50 of 620 PricewaterhouseCoopers Interviews

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3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 (took a day)

I was in touch in with a manager at the firm for over an year. During my junior year, I sent him my resume. Few days later, I got a call informing me of the interview offer. I was then interviewed by two consultants one of whom was an alumni of my college who too switched fields and had a profile similar to that of mine. The interview went on for over 45 minutes. There were open-ended questions like "Why did you choose this firm?", "Why are you switching from engineering to management?", etc. The second one was not as direct as it sounds. We then discussed my previous projects and my knowledge in finance. There were questions on financial modelling and more particularly, infrastructure finance. It was more of a discussion than a Q&A session. The interview concluded on a positive note. Three weeks later, I was apprised of the internship offer. At such a stage (junior year at college), the key is to be honest while writing your resume and include things relevant to the internship you're applying for and those you have really done in the past. One needs to be clear as to why she is applying for the internship and whether the internship is aligned with her goals. You need to be clear on why you want to work at the firm, what you can bring to the table and convince them. Be true to yourself and be yourself in the interview.

Interview Questions

Why did you choose this firm?

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test, a Personality Test and a Background Check.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 in Chicago, IL (took 4 weeks)

I applied through my university's career center. I received a call a couple weeks later asking when I would be available to come in for 3 one-on-one interviews (Tax Director, Tax Manager, HR Director). Once I arrived at the office, I noticed how friendly everyone was (including receptionist, HR employee who contacted me, other employees).

The interviews consisted of questions about my background and experience (teamwork experiences, how do you deal with stress, a time when someone in your group disagreed with you, etc.). The questions were pretty basic interview questions; no surprises. I was contacted a week later with an offer.

Interview Questions

How do you deal with stress?

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Negotiation Details

I was not able to negotiate, nor would I have wanted to since the pay was very fair.

Other Details

The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Nov 2011 in New York, NY (took a day)

A recruiter from a staffing agency, having seen my background in insurance and having keyworded me on linkedin wanted me to go and meet with PwC's people...badly!

Every single time you go and interview with one of the big 4, a recruiter will pick a date and tell you how important it is that you go. Right now! That's because some partners and managers are coming together on that same day. it's like the solar eclipse.

I had flown in from a training assignment into a hotel room. I was staying in north west jersey. So I drove to an NJ Transit station at 5:45 am, parked my car, took the train to NY Penn, and then walked to the PwC office.

The interview was a complete waste of time. Nothing substantial about my qualifications or technical achievements was asked. There were a barrage of questions about 'if you were in this situation with a client..." and how I would handle it. Worst of all, they had the resume of a guy with the same first name as mine. So I had to use my company laptop to show them who I was. That was a very bad idea.

There were 3 interviews and much like as one would expect with a large consulting firm, it's big but an empty vessel. At the time, employed with a competing large consulting firm, I said that a culture of entitlement in terms of fleecing the client for flights, hotels, rental cars, per diems and outings is not one which I find ethical. But this is common knowledge, and the practice is rampant in the consulting industry.

The recruiter reported that I was "overconfident" and then disappeared off the face of the earth.

To candidates a lesson: Peddle the bull that works. Simply stop feeding the recruiters. Don't lose any sleep to do an interview unless you're unemployed.

Interview Questions

Among others, If a client gets angry and starts to yell at you, how would you approach it?

Answer Question

Other Details

I got the interview through a Staffing Agency and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Nov 2011 in Boston, MA (took 4+ weeks)

I applied through my college's recruiting program which simply required a resume drop and an online profile. First interview round consisted of two 30 min. interviews on campus with two senior associates who both had joined the firm within the past 12 months due to the strong advisory practice growth. At the time of my interview I was not given any indication of which part of advisory I would be placed in and I was asked extensively about my interests (so they could decide for me). I was asked about a time where I was faced with a difficult decision/conflict and details about how I handled it. I also was asked about how I would approach a problem in which I had no prior knowledge about the firm/subject. My second interview was in the Boston office, and I had two more 45 min. interviews with senior associates that had recently joined the firm. They were both very good interviewers and asked tailored questions to understand more about my personality and what I found valuable in my past experiences. They seemed to appreciate a candid and enthusiastic approach in answering their questions. Final interview was a full two weeks without hearing any word from my superday, and it was over the phone with a partner. The interview consisted of much more difficult and vague questioning, however the partner revealed that they wanted to see how I answered under a bit of pressure and with little guidance. I would also mention that I am a psychology major, and that my interviewers were very curious about how I chose my field of study and what I wanted to do with it.

Interview Questions

What are some explicit and compelling examples of why you are the candidate I want to hire over some Harvard prodigy?

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

There was no negotiation at all. I would consider that this is an invaluable experience to be had, and an increasingly rare opportunity for an undergraduate.

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 (took 4+ weeks)

Applied online.
Telephone interview lasted for 30 mins.
Competency based.
One question on recent news referring to PWC.

Interview Questions

Describe a recent event relating to PWC.

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 in Bristol, England (United Kingdom) (took a day)

After applying online through the careers website, I was invited to complete the online assessment consisting of numerical and reasoning test. After a week later, I was proceeded to first interview stage and got the phone interview.

Interview Questions

Describe a time when you were asked to do something that was against your belief or character.

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 (took a day)

They were extremely nice in the interview and I really felt that I connected with the tax partner I spoke with. He said numerous times that he could see me working their tax or assurance departments. They gave a time frame for when they would get back to me to see if I made it to second rounds, and never responded. It's been a day since they said they would and second rounds are tomorrow so obviously I didn't make it. But they could have at least sent me a rejection letter. I must have slipped through the cracks somehow...disappointing.

Interview Questions

walk me through your resume

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what is one thing on your resume you are most proud of

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Other Details

I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Sep 2011 in Los Angeles, CA (took 4+ weeks)

I first talked to the recruiter quite a bit. I had one telephone interview and two in person interviews. Everyone was very professional and nice. Shortly after the second interview the negotiation process started and after we came to a reasonable offer I started two weeks later. Be prepared do not be afraid to say you don't know and always be professional and respectful.

Interview Questions

They asked me pretty technical questions regarding my industry.

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

It went fine. I got lowballed on position and salary, however I stood my ground and got just what I wanted.

Other Details

I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Oct 2011 in Chicago, IL (took 3 weeks)

I had an on-campus interview with a recruiter, which went really well and a week later received an invitation for an office visit. Office visit consisted of a pre-interview dinner with young associates my age, presentation in the morning by a partner and lead recruiters, 2 interviews with director and a partner, office tour, panel discussion with young associates in all 3 service lines and lunch with host and other candidates.

Interview Questions

What is your concept of networking? How do you network?

View Answers (1)

No substantial questions asked of me during my second interview. The interviewer had not even glanced at my resume, was running late and appeared from the start disengage from talking to me.

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