Let’s explore the most common questions for PwC interviews. We’ll also learn expert strategies to ace them. .
Who are PwC and what can you expect in the PWC interview?
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is one of the Big Four. It’s a professional services company. It makes over $50 billion in revenue each year. It employs over 300,000 people at 600 locations worldwide. PwC provides many services. These include audit, tax advice, and deals.
Interview Format
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- Graduate interviews are like this: You’ll get a one-way video or a live interview. It’s going to have 6-7 questions. You’ll have around 3 minutes to answer.
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- Professional interviews are typically live. They may last 30-60 minutes and have around 7-8 questions.
Common PWC Interview questions
PwC interviews ask common questions. They are about why you want to work with PwC. It’s about how your values match PwC’s. They cover how to deal with tough team situations. They also cover fixing past mistakes. Also, SJTs are a big part of the interview.
Why Do You Want to Work for PwC?
When answering “Why PwC?”, give specific facts. They should show your knowledge and interest in the company. Avoid responses that could apply to any company. Instead, focus on showing you understand PwC’s unique attributes. Explain how they align with your values and aspirations.
Research and preparation.
Before your PwC interview, read PwC’s annual reports. Also, read their website and any news about the company. Look for specific facts and figures that resonate with you. This could include PwC’s global reach and client base. It could also include their charity work or their approach to ESG issues.
Personal Connection
Consider PwC’s attributes. See how they match your values and experiences. Highlight any PwC initiatives or values that you like. This personal connection shows real interest in the company. It goes beyond just seeking a job.
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- Include specific facts. They should be about PwC’s global impact and clients.
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- Connect PwC’s initiatives to your values. Use your experiences.
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- Emphasize the need for thorough research. Avoid generic responses.
Why do you want to do this job?
When asked why you want a specific job, you must go beyond general statements. You must give detailed insights. They should be about your understanding of the role and its duties. Simply saying it’s a great opportunity isn’t enough. Nor is saying you have certain skills. Instead, list the daily duties and responsibilities of the job. Also, list the skills needed to excel in the role.
Identifying key responsibilities and skills.
Make sure your response addresses the main duties and skills for the job. This could include math skills. Also, they need to have attention to detail. They need to talk with clients and have financial skills. They also need other needed abilities. By highlighting these skills, you show that you understand the role. You show that you understand its requirements.
Providing evidence of your skills.
You must back up your claims. Use tangible evidence. This is crucial. Don’t just list skills. Offer examples or achievements. They should show your skill. You need to show it in the required areas. This backs your points. It gives you credibility. It ensures that the interviewer sees you as a good candidate.
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- The outline lists the daily duties. It also covers the responsibilities of the job.
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- Address the exact skills needed for the role.
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- Provide clear evidence. Give examples. They should show skill in key areas.
How do PwC’s values align with you?
Prepare for a PwC interview. It’s crucial to know how the company’s values align with your own. PwC’s core values guide the company’s culture. They also guide its operations. They shape the company. Aligning your values with PwC’s can boost your chances. It shows you fit in.
Acting with Integrity
PwC emphasizes acting with integrity. They make decisions based on high ethical standards and speak up for what is right. When discussing this value, think about times when you made ethical choices. Also, times when you upheld quality standards. Or, when you stood up for what you believed was right. This was even in challenging situations.
Making a Difference
Making a difference at PwC means staying informed about the world. It means creating good impacts. And, it means responding quickly to changes. Show your curiosity. Show your adaptability. Show your impact on projects. Mention this when discussing how it fits your beliefs. Also, how it aligns with your actions.
Caring and Collaboration
PwC values understanding individuals. It supports growth, and collaborates across boundaries. It also seeks diverse perspectives. Share experiences of resolving conflicts. Share experiences of nurturing relationships. Share with others. Embrace diverse viewpoints. This will showcase alignment with these values.
Embracing Innovation
PwC values reimagining the impossible. It encourages challenging the status quo. It also encourages embracing innovation. It also encourages learning from failure. When addressing this value, use examples. They should show how to overcome challenges. They should show resilience in the face of failure. They should show innovative ideas at work.n

Describe a tough situation with your team. Then, say how you overcame it.
When addressing tough situations with your team, you must give a hard scenario. It should have required many steps to solve. The change could be a new deadline. It could be more client work. Or, it could be a surprise like a team member dropping out. The example should be work-based. You should follow extra or volunteer activities. Then, it should cover academics.
Using the STAR format
When giving examples for competency questions, use the STAR format. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is crucial. It’s crucial to list the steps. The steps overcome the challenge your team faced. This involves being a good storyteller. You must provide detailed accounts. They create a clear picture for the interviewer.
- Provide a challenging scenario.
- Use the STAR format for providing examples.
- Be good at storytelling. This means giving detailed accounts.
Tell Me About a Time You Messed Up and How You Fixed It
Candidates often struggle. They struggle to provide real, impactful answers. They face the question “Tell me about a time you messed up.” Remember: interviewers don’t seek perfection. They want an honest look at growth and learning from past mistakes. Approach this question with honesty and transparency. Focus on a real setback and the actions taken to fix it.
Showcasing Growth and Learning
Share a specific instance. It should be where you encountered a challenge or made an error. Emphasize the impact it had and the steps you took to address it. Highlight the lessons from the experience. Show your ability to adapt, learn, and improve. This shows resilience. Also, it shows a proactive approach. It shows a focus on self-improvement. These are traits employers value.
- Provide a genuine account of a setback or mistake.
- Emphasize the actions taken to fix the situation.
- Show the lessons learned. Show the personal growth from the experience.
Navigating situational judgment questions.
In a PwC interview, you’re highly likely to face SJT questions. It’s key to approach them with a method. They assess your skill at analyzing complex situations. They also test your ability to make sound choices. Knowing the context is key. So is identifying priorities and showing thoughtfulness. These skills are key to doing well on SJT questions.
Framework for Answering SJT Questions
A framework can improve your answers. It can help with SJT questions. This six-step framework provides a method. It helps you analyze and respond to complex situations.
- Understand the context. Identify the people involved and their needs. Also, consider the wider situation.
- Identifying Priorities: Find out who comes first in the scenario. Consider hierarchies and the companies goals.
- Recognize your responsibilities. Assess your role in the situation. This includes any ethical or professional duties.
- Understand your position within the hierarchy. Know how much you can act in the given context.
- Consider the wider context. Think about the big impact of the situation. It’s affecting the role. It also affects the organization’s goals.
- Provide a methodical response. Offer a well-considered approach. It’s systematic and solves the situation. Consider the framework’s principles.
Using this framework will help candidates. They can structure their responses well. They can show critical thinking. They can handle complex scenarios at work.
Check out our SJT Sorted Course with….
Special Cases to Prepare For
When preparing for a PwC interview, there are specific edge cases. Candidates should be aware of them and ready to address them. These cases include writing an email. They also include conducting a small case study. And, showing awareness of business. Each case may arise based on the interview’s place and the role’s needs.
Commercial Awareness
Candidates in regions like the Middle East need to be very aware of business. This involves staying informed about industry trends. You need to know the key players and big developments. Subscribing to industry newsletters or bulletins can provide great insights. They cover the dynamics and current events in the sector.
Case Studies
In the context of interviews in the US, candidates may encounter case study scenarios. This usually involves analyzing a short case study. Then, you present your findings in a short time.
Check out our Acing Assessment Centres Pack. It has a case study walkthrough. It also has eight practice exercises. You can do them to improve for case studies and the PwC Assessment Centre.
Business Email Writing
In the UK, candidates may need to show they can write business emails well. It’s crucial to stress clear. Also, it should be brief. Also, to be able to convey key points well. Also, being available for more discussion can make the email more impactful.