Interview tips

It’s not always easy, but try to relax and be natural. The main purpose of the interview is for us to learn more about you, so be prepared to talk about yourself and your relevant skills and experience. We want to understand your personality and mindset as well as your skillset, so bear that in mind when answering questions and be authentic.

Be confident. Be enthusiastic and positive, but focused – tell your stories succinctly, don’t ramble.

Put yourselves in our shoes – what do you think we’re looking for in a candidate?

Pay keen attention to the question being asked of you and ensure you fully answer it without getting side-tracked. While you’ll be eager to tell us about examples of previous projects and experiences that showcase your knowledge, skills and ambition, it’s important that you select those that are appropriate to what the interviewer wants to hear. This is an opportunity for you to analyse the question being asked and then help deliver a unique response.

Why is it a good idea for us to hire you? What makes you a great asset to EY teams? Highlight what makes you stand out and why we should be excited about having you join us.

Talk about what you’re good at, the things you’ve done and what they demonstrate to us about your strengths and abilities. When something went well, why, and what did you contribute to make the outcome a success? When it didn’t go so well, how did you handle that and what happened? Give compelling, concrete examples, with facts and figures to back it up. It all helps us to really understand what you’re capable of.

If you are well researched, your knowledge will not only show off your preparation but also enable you to communicate with us on a deeper level.

In addition to your research on EY, make sure that you research who you will be meeting during your interview. Take a look at their LinkedIn profile and read up on any articles they’ve written and their past experience. This will give you the opportunity to make a connection with your interviewer and discuss topics that are most relevant. 

Ensure that you fully understand the role on offer and the way in which you will fit into the organisation and its structure. This will give you a holistic view of EY, making it easier to communicate what attributes you have that suit the role’s needs. If you are applying to a new industry having worked in a different type of role previously, you’ll need to think of your transferable skills and how this relates to the position you are interviewing for. Also think about where the job might go in the future and what thoughts or questions you might have around that.

We’re also interested in hearing your point of view on current key market trends, so it’s a good idea to be well-informed before your interview.

We look for people with the qualities we most value. That means people who actively seek new experiences, who want to define their own success and career journey. People who value diversity and inclusiveness. People who demonstrate integrity, respect, and collaboration. Who have energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead with purpose.

In fact, purpose is the focus of our Transformative Leadership model at EY, which is how we develop leaders who are driven by purpose and bring out the best in themselves and others.

Bringing out the best in yourself begins with continuous investment in your personal development so that you can then bring out the best in others by actively mentoring and coaching them. It means building trust, relating to others with integrity, authenticity and courage. And overall, it means being passionate about your team, business and impact on your community.

Think about relevant examples from your own experience that demonstrate these qualities, to share with us at the interview.

We also believe that your mindset is as important as your skillset. We look for people with global, innovative and analytics mindsets, so be prepared to show us how your mindset fits ours.

Some interviews will be virtual or on the phone, but the same principles apply. Preparation is crucial. As well as preparing what you want to say, make sure that you’re in a comfortable, quiet environment for the interview. Find out how long it’s likely to last and tell people not to interrupt you.

For a phone interview, use a landline if you have access to one for better reception. If you use a mobile, remember to turn off call waiting. Although you can’t be seen, dressing smartly may help you feel more confident, while standing up to talk can help you to feel more energised and focused.

If we can’t see your face, how you sound becomes more important in showing your personality. Be upbeat and enthusiastic and try to smile – it really does show in your voice. It’s fine to take some thinking time. Before answering questions, but let us know so that we’re not worried by the silence.

Build a rapport with your interviewers by showing an interest in their roles or divisions. Ask questions about their work, experiences at EY, and the team you’ll be joining. It may help you to think about what you want to ask us and write down those questions before your interview.

We’re proud of our values and the benefits offered to EY people, and we are happy to give you as much information as you need to be able to decide if we’re really the right place for you, so don’t be afraid to ask us questions too.