- Feb 17, 2018
- 4,695
- 8,576
PwC Legal Vacation Scheme Interview 2021
Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.
March 2021
Please specify what the interview was for.
Summer Vacation Scheme 2021
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
For the assessment centre 'Career Focus Day' (this was virtual in my case):
8:45am: log onto google meet and socialise with other candidates.
9:00am: the moderator starts giving out instructions and usernames to log onto PwC's only assessment platform called Impact.
9:15am-2pm: many tasks that you can generally do in any order as long as you meet the deadlines and attend meetings at allotted times (which can differ from person to person).
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
PwC's assessment centre is very different from any other AC I did because it is self-led. You get deadlines for independent work and have links to meetings throughout the day which can be at a different time depending on the person. However, you are guaranteed to have to do:
i. A written report (deadline-driven):
You get an email from someone on the system with instructions that you have to write a report of approximately 500 words summarising the opportunities and risks for a particular business and you have given a PDF with almost 20 pages to sift through to come up with the report.
ii. A numerical analysis exercise (deadline-driven):
You get sent 5 emails on the system with different scenarios which require you to calculate costs or time it would take in response to each scenario (ex: you'll get tables and graphs of how much certain equipment costs and percentage discounts if a certain amount of equipment is bought and you need to calculate how much it would cost the firm to buy it and if the budget given is enough).
iii. A group discussion (set time):
You get an email with a PDF on a business with some key facts which is around 10 pages long and you each person in the group (3-4 people in each group) get given a different option or factor to research and then you have 45 minutes to discuss in a group what's the best option or what are the most important factors the client should take into account. You then have to write an email summarising what was discussed and send it back in reply to the initial email you got.
iv. A 30 minute interview (set time, usually within a 2 hour window at the beginning of the day):
This is with HR. It was not very difficult but mainly motivational and also trying to see if you understand the role and qualifications needed. Also there was one situational integrity question. You get time to ask questions at the end. I only asked one question though because I wanted to maximise my time for the written report instead.
The next stage was a final interview with a Senior Manager and a Partner:
This was based around the 5 competencies of the PwC Professional Framework which you can find on the PwC website. However, they are NOT competency questions (e.g. not 'tell me about a time you...'). They are much more commercial awareness focused and some situational ones too (e.g. 'if x happened what would you do?').
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
i. Written report:
Try to stick to the recommended timing (30-45min) because if you go over then you will have less time for the other tasks. The day is very time-pressured. Also try to do 2-3 opportunities and 2-3 risks. I tried doing more but then I had to waste time cutting the word count and wasted time. There isn't much you can do to prepare for this as you can't predict what will be in the PDF. I just did some SWOT analysis on different famous businesses to get my brain into that thinking mode the day before.
ii. Numerical exercise:
Practice ratios and percentages! If you do then they are quite easy. I am not that good at math and had not done it in many years so it is crucial that you remember how percentages and ratios work if you're the same. Also, don't stress if you do not finish them all. I finished only 3 out of the 5 and it did not reflect badly in my feedback.
iii. Group exercise:
It does not matter if they choose your recommendation. Just try to present your information concisely and clearly and listen to others when they speak. Nod your head and say things like 'that's a really good point' or 'I agree' or if you disagree then obviously do so politely and ask questions to try to understand why they have a different opinion to you. Don't talk over people but make sure you volunteer your ideas and talk enough to be marked.
iv. HR Interview:
Research common trends in the services industry like the audit rules on conflict of interest and other trends (e.g. I talked about technology too but it can be anything really as long as it is plausible).
Review your motivations from the video interview. Finally, just make sure you know what you'll be doing on the vacation scheme and common trainee tasks. TCLA has some good posts on this.
v. Final Interview:
Brush up on your basic commercial awareness. Not necessarily news stories always but just basics of business and commerce make sure you know business structures and financial terms. Also, this was by far the most conversational part of the process so really make sure you are as personable as possible. They want to work with nice people who they can get along with at the end of the day.
Were you successful?
Yes
Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.
March 2021
Please specify what the interview was for.
Summer Vacation Scheme 2021
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
For the assessment centre 'Career Focus Day' (this was virtual in my case):
8:45am: log onto google meet and socialise with other candidates.
9:00am: the moderator starts giving out instructions and usernames to log onto PwC's only assessment platform called Impact.
9:15am-2pm: many tasks that you can generally do in any order as long as you meet the deadlines and attend meetings at allotted times (which can differ from person to person).
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
PwC's assessment centre is very different from any other AC I did because it is self-led. You get deadlines for independent work and have links to meetings throughout the day which can be at a different time depending on the person. However, you are guaranteed to have to do:
i. A written report (deadline-driven):
You get an email from someone on the system with instructions that you have to write a report of approximately 500 words summarising the opportunities and risks for a particular business and you have given a PDF with almost 20 pages to sift through to come up with the report.
ii. A numerical analysis exercise (deadline-driven):
You get sent 5 emails on the system with different scenarios which require you to calculate costs or time it would take in response to each scenario (ex: you'll get tables and graphs of how much certain equipment costs and percentage discounts if a certain amount of equipment is bought and you need to calculate how much it would cost the firm to buy it and if the budget given is enough).
iii. A group discussion (set time):
You get an email with a PDF on a business with some key facts which is around 10 pages long and you each person in the group (3-4 people in each group) get given a different option or factor to research and then you have 45 minutes to discuss in a group what's the best option or what are the most important factors the client should take into account. You then have to write an email summarising what was discussed and send it back in reply to the initial email you got.
iv. A 30 minute interview (set time, usually within a 2 hour window at the beginning of the day):
This is with HR. It was not very difficult but mainly motivational and also trying to see if you understand the role and qualifications needed. Also there was one situational integrity question. You get time to ask questions at the end. I only asked one question though because I wanted to maximise my time for the written report instead.
The next stage was a final interview with a Senior Manager and a Partner:
This was based around the 5 competencies of the PwC Professional Framework which you can find on the PwC website. However, they are NOT competency questions (e.g. not 'tell me about a time you...'). They are much more commercial awareness focused and some situational ones too (e.g. 'if x happened what would you do?').
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
i. Written report:
Try to stick to the recommended timing (30-45min) because if you go over then you will have less time for the other tasks. The day is very time-pressured. Also try to do 2-3 opportunities and 2-3 risks. I tried doing more but then I had to waste time cutting the word count and wasted time. There isn't much you can do to prepare for this as you can't predict what will be in the PDF. I just did some SWOT analysis on different famous businesses to get my brain into that thinking mode the day before.
ii. Numerical exercise:
Practice ratios and percentages! If you do then they are quite easy. I am not that good at math and had not done it in many years so it is crucial that you remember how percentages and ratios work if you're the same. Also, don't stress if you do not finish them all. I finished only 3 out of the 5 and it did not reflect badly in my feedback.
iii. Group exercise:
It does not matter if they choose your recommendation. Just try to present your information concisely and clearly and listen to others when they speak. Nod your head and say things like 'that's a really good point' or 'I agree' or if you disagree then obviously do so politely and ask questions to try to understand why they have a different opinion to you. Don't talk over people but make sure you volunteer your ideas and talk enough to be marked.
iv. HR Interview:
Research common trends in the services industry like the audit rules on conflict of interest and other trends (e.g. I talked about technology too but it can be anything really as long as it is plausible).
Review your motivations from the video interview. Finally, just make sure you know what you'll be doing on the vacation scheme and common trainee tasks. TCLA has some good posts on this.
v. Final Interview:
Brush up on your basic commercial awareness. Not necessarily news stories always but just basics of business and commerce make sure you know business structures and financial terms. Also, this was by far the most conversational part of the process so really make sure you are as personable as possible. They want to work with nice people who they can get along with at the end of the day.
Were you successful?
Yes
