Question bank (by Rachel Joy)

Final Interview Questions/ general questions

1. Tell me a bit more about yourself

2. Why are you the better candidate?
3. Explain how you understand the core value of our company?
4. Your strength and how will you utilise this in position?
5. Your weakness and how are you trying to overcome it?
6. What interested you in working here?
7. What are your salary expectations?
8. Are you currently interviewing other companies?
9. Are there any changes that you would like to see in our organisation?
10. What is your notice period?
11. What areas of your previous job satisfied you the most?
12. What do you think would be the biggest challenge if you got this job?
13. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
14. How do you plan to continue to develop yourself on the job?

Commercial Awareness Questions

1. What makes us stand out from our competitors?

2. Is there any recent news or stories which interest you and how do you think it would
impact on the business?
3. How could ChatGPT influence your future work? Do you think ChatGPT will replace
human work in the future?
4. How do you think the ongoing global economic uncertainty, such as inflationary
pressures and supply chain disruptions, might affect our products/services we provide?
5. With the rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, how would
you advise the company to incorporate sustainability practices into their business
strategies?
6. What are some of the challenges currently faced by this industry, how do you think we
can solve it?
7. Tell me a new technology that would have a huge impact on our industry?
8. What would be the next revolution in our industry?
9. What would be the 3 main focuses you suggest to the company in the next 20 years?
Motivational Questions

1. What motivated you to apply for this role and this company? Why are you applying
now?

 Research for each and every programmes you apply!

2. What goals, including career goals, have you set for the next 5 years, or your future?

I. Graduate with a first-class degree in every module from Uni of Sheffield. I have
currently achieved first class in every module of my degree so far. By keeping up
with lessons every week and exerting interest and resilience with my studies of
Econ and Finance, I believe I could have reached this goal by next year.

II. My current strongest career goal is to land an offer for a visa-sponsoring

graduate scheme anywhere in the world, within a reachable field of my
educational background. A former insight intern with PwC and Deloitte, former
audit summer intern at PwC Bristol who faced unfortunate immigration
restrictions in the UK. As a result, I decided to sacrifice the summer months of
August and September to practice application tests, assessments, and interview
questions so that I can only focus on tailoring my CV and researching applied
companies in the coming months.

III. Once I land a graduate programme, my goal is to continuously learn

exponentially, develop my transferrable skills and interpersonal skills and
constantly deliver high-quality output for 2 or 3 years, and by the end of 5 years,
I aim to play a more managerial or senior role.

IV. Last but not least, my personal goals are to repay my parents for all the support
they have given, despite all the financial burden amongst the worsening financial
and economic situation of my homeland Myanmar. Within two years, I also aim
to marry my girlfriend who has been waiting for me loyally despite the LDRS,
who has been there for me for 4 years. All because I could finally call her to any
country I will be, end the LDR and be together near each other.
 3. What does career success mean to you?

 There are many ways to define career success, and each varies individually.
 Generally, your career is successful if you are already working at a company and its
vibrant community, whose values align with your personal and moral values.
 So, what about over a broader horizon?
 For me, there are 3 perspectives.
 Firstly, it is being better than the last year you.
 At the end of each year, ask if you knew better than the last year you. What have you
learnt something that you did not possess the ownership of? It could be anything new
that you learnt, develop your current skills , expertise, and knowledge, knew more
people than last year, or have developed current work relationships to the next level
(i,e. developing interpersonal skills)
 At the start of each year, set your new measurable and identifiable goals. Career success
is never missing these goals, which is my second perspective.
 Thirdly, putting aside the financial gains, it is important to question yourself that “Where
are you standing now, on your career ladder and hierarchy ?”, “What you climbed
higher than when you started?”. Career success is when you see progress in your
climbing of that ladder within a 5-year span.

Competency Based questions

1. Provide an example when you had to manage conflicting and competing priorities and
tasks.

( S ) During the end of Semester 2 (June) of my first year, I had a conflicting priority
between my interview and exam. It was the interview for a fast-track offer for a summer
internship after a successful spring week with Deloitte in London. The role was for a
technical Human Capital consulting role.

( T ) I receive an email invitation 5 days before my Finance exam and there was only one
time slot available and with no indication on whether it can be switched. The date
exactly coincides with my Finance exam. As a freshman with reckless urgency to impress
by accepting the challenge, I booked the morning session for the interview while the
exam was in the afternoon.

( A ) I am always well-prepared regarding my academics and hence I was already having

a first-time revision during the Easter vacation. This mean I can give time to prepare for
my interview within a five-day interval. Within five days, I did final revisions during the
morning and prepare and research about Deloitte in the evening.

( R ) On the day of both, I also let the interviewer know about my exam and I
successfully overcome the two priorities. I got 76% in my finance exam, and I got 99%
positive feedback from the interview. However, a more suitable got into the Human
Capital Consulting role. Now, I can reflect that rather than making reckless decision, it is
important to work smart not hard and most importantly, consider the flexibility of the
task. I am pretty sure that if I inform Deloitte about my exam, the company will adjust
alternative dates. This will enable me to give 100% on the interview rather than having
to split with my exam revisions.
 2. Tell me about some risks you have taken during your work experience, or within a role
of responsibility. How did you go about this?

Working as an auditor whether an intern or senior role carry huge risk. A slight loss of focus can
lead to breaching the laws and regulations set by the Audit authorities, namely I nternational
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)).

During my internship with PwC, I was tasked with the preparation of multiple work papers and to
execute 9 different kinds of audit testing.

I eagerly and meticulously take notes while listening the concepts delivered by my coach or senior
associate. I always consult if in doubt while using every ounce of attention to detail and focus when
preparing the audit work papers.

On the final day of the internship, it was time for feedback. I received 100% positive feedback
from the senior associates and a manager. The word “executed to perfection” still resonates
until this day, as per the feedback given by one of the senior associates.

3. Can you give us an example where you demonstrate strong written and verbal
communication skills.
During my internship with PwC, I was placed on 3 different client sites. I had never had a
professional interaction at such level before.

After gaining trust and making my abilities transparent on the first two client sites (which I was
not given much role regarding client interaction), I was delegated the freedom to interact and
request clients for any missing or needed document.

Certain bank statements of respective months were missing, and they were the pillar in order
to proceed my audit test (EGA). Before I go over to the client, I made sure I had opened the tabs
of test I am performing, the evidence of the missing bank statements. The person to contact
was the lead accountant of the client company. The communication was smooth and easier due
the pre-preparations of the tabs.

The client assured me that I will be provided the missing document by the end of the day and
hence, I focus on the other EGA. However, the lead accountant had to leave early that day we
were on the client site. Hence, I sent a follow up email to ask for the missing bank statement.
The lead accountant explained his situation and provided the bank statements, and I was able
to proceed with my audit test.

4. Can you tell us about your administrative skills and experience?

Ticking the clock back to May, before the internship with PwC started in July, I received an
email stating that due to the new regulations imposed on immigration, the company was no
longer able to act as a sponsor for my visa, but I was thankfully allowed to undertake an
internship with them, nevertheless.

After three days of my spirit hitting rock bottom, I finally accepted the case and tasked myself
with making a list of companies sponsoring Tier-2 visa in the UK. After my exams on the first
week of June, I embark on the journey that I task myself with.

I first made a list of companies that I found on a tracker from another student. Then, I visit each
company’s site and research about visa sponsorship on their FAQs. I also sent emails to the HR
to ask about visa sponsorship and use the license checker website. However, not every firm
provide HR email link nor are certain to sponsor despite having a license. Using excel, I create
multiple sheets of companies, separating them into (1) confirmed (2) asked (3) have a license
but to check in Sep.

The process took three weeks, meeting the deadline before the start of my internship and I had
successfully organized a list of about 50 companies that I can apply in Sep, and 90 companies to
check in Sep, while 30 companies are still to be followed up.

5. Describe a time when you generated a new approach to an existing work procedure.
 6. Can you describe a time where you identified a new, or unusual approach to address a
problem or task? How did this approach work?

During my gap year, I worked as an IGCSE tutor at a tuition center called Mayfield Myanmar
Institute, known as MMI.

I was provided a two-hour tutoring session for the students studying Physics, Math and
Chemistry at that center. My main role was to support the teachers with their teaching and the
students with their learning. This is done by organizing revision lecture sessions and conducting
practice questions during workshops.

Normally, the IGCSE teaching approach in my country was to practice past papers only after
finishing the whole course. However, I put extra time during my preparation hours to select,
crop and compile past exam questions into specific unit. The new approach was to practice past
paper questions as topic-wise rather than going through mixed questions after the end of the
IGCSE course.

By doing so, I enhanced students’ understanding of the topic and familiarize part and concepts
of the topic that is normally assessed in previous exam. This strategy prevents the existing
approach that was like pouring water from the top of the building into the bucket located at the
bottom of the building. The students went on to achieve at least a grade 7 or A in the respective
subject I tutored.
 7. When have you taken a stand against a group on what you felt to be a matter of
principle? / Describe a situation where you demonstrated confidence in your viewpoint
despite opposition.

During my gap year, I worked as an IGCSE tutor at a tuition center called Mayfield Myanmar
Institute, known as MMI. It was an emerging IGCSE tuition center in the city and the principal
was looking to diversify his business into providing International A-Level classes.

I was invited to a coffee chat by the founder or the principal himself. He planned on gaining
insights about A Levels and consult with me on how his classes could run, as I was the only staff
with an experience of having answered the A Level. I took the honor to accept the invite and to
give consultations as much as I can.

The principal informed that the parents who were interested in learning A Levels at his center
only wanted their children to complete them with a year. The parents were somehow attracted
by the short length of A Lv equivalent such as GED. However, I firmly, but respectfully oppose
his viewpoint on this. I provided evidence on how A Lv was way more advanced than IGCSE and
that it would be bulky for the students to study all 6 papers within a year , leaving them no time
for extra-curriculars. The principal insisted that the parents might just chose to send their
children aboard to study pre-university foundation classes that will last only a year. I further
insisted on how A Level can unlock more opportunities than pre-uni classes and how other
western countries accept A Levels as well. I also suggest him to launch extracurricular clubs in
the school just exclusive for A Level student to prepare for their personal statements and to
justify for the one more year of study.

In the end, the principal accepted my viewpoints and mentioned them at a webinar to the
interested parents. The tuition center is now running well with more diverse extra curriculars
compared with other A Lv centers while maintaining a good quality education service.
 8. Have you ever been a part of an unmotivated team? What did you do to stay motivated
and make work interesting?

During my second year at my university, I worked on a group coursework in the Econometrics

module. Due to the complexity blended by technical statistics and programming tool, the
Econometric subject is daunting to most Economics student.

The task was to propose a research question, provide statistical inference and present the
statistical finding via PowerPoint on the final day. The project requires up to date contact with
the lectures and due to that sole reason, the team was heavily demotivated.

I keep up to date with the advance technical elements delivered in the lectures and after initial
induction meeting with the team, we agree a common topic, but most members admit they do
not know what was going on. I first get to know their strengths and preferences. I planned
deadlines for each person's tasks and shared the schedule in the group chat,
encouraging everyone to finish on time and work with mutual support and
respect. The team members were satisfied and motivated with their
allocated assignments, as they could work according to their preferences and
strengths. Then, I reach out each member privately to explain the nature and
purpose of their respective task. The team was satisfied as they now have an
idea on the ongoings. It was evident from the late-night questions about the
coursework in the WhatsApp group, showing their dedication. In addition to
doing my phase of the project, I frequently catch up on everyone’s progress
in the following weeks, helping, supporting, and assisting the team members
with their allocated phases.

In addition to how I am approachable, considerate, and caring for the team,

the main motivation was by assuring that a first-class mark can be obtained
if they work with determination and that I will provide max contribution
marks for every member despite doing most work. In the end, we were
awarded a first-mark mark for the coursework and the presentation.
 9. If you find yourself stuck doing repetitive work, how do you motivate yourself to
continue and complete it?

I undertake some paid activities organized by Discover Economics during my second year. The
role was called Student Champion, and the purpose is to foster the inclusion of economics in
under-represented societies, by signifying their perceptions and rectifying misconceptions of
the broad subject.

Once a month, the task was to conduct workshops in teams of two at local schools that do not
offer Economics. During my first day at work, I still remember me, and a partner had to deliver
three workshops to Year 12/13 Business, Maths and Geography cohorts, all at the same school.

We used the same presentation slides for all three cohorts. Especially after the second cohort,
the feeling of monotonicity struck at its peak. A technique I used was to look ahead in the
future. I recall the very near future of how I will relax myself after a day at work, and then the
further future regarding the purpose of the work. The latter is about remembering what benefit
your repetitive work can brings.

I also suggested my ideology on dealing with repetitive work to my colleague who keenly tried
the way. We delivered an even more engaging workshop to our final third cohort. Since then,
with all the other schools on the other months, we instilled this ideology and never felt
repetitive again. We are also glad to hear students giving positive feedback during the survey
lunched by Discover Economics on every school that we made a difference.
Behavioural questions questions

1. What do you do if you disagree with someone's decision?

2. What is the best way to ensure you deliver high-quality work? (smooth client interaction
with PWC, prepare ahead: look above for context)
3. How do you approach explaining complex concepts to others who may have limited
knowledge?
4. How do you deal with last minute changes to a plan/the project's goals had changed and
you needed to re-do your work?
5. How do you deal with conflicts at work/ deal with a difficult co worker?
6. How do you deal with the mistakes you made in work/What would you do if you made a
mistake at work and nobody noticed?
7. How do you learn something new within a short time?
8. If you knew your manager was about to make a huge mistake, would you tell them? And
how?
9. How do you build good working relationships with other people and collaborate
successfully within a team?/How do you build trust with people at work/ external
stakeholders?
10. What would you do if your manager assigned an urgent task that you had never done
before?
11. How do you use multiple sources of data or information to make a decision?/How do
you make big decisions?
12. You're very busy with your work, but a team member has asked for your help before
they go on vacation for the week. What would you do?
13. How do you deal with negative feedback?/ How do you receive constructive criticism?
14. How would you ask an unresponsive stakeholder for information?
15. What strategies do you use to inspire others to be productive at work?