Why Accenture Interview Questions
How to answer the question "Why Accenture Interview Questions"
Accenture is an Irish-American company based in Dublin that offers information technology services and consulting. As a Fortune 500 company, Accenture works with 91 Fortune Global 1000’s companies and has the most employees out of any consulting firm as of 2022.
When interviewing for such a big company, it is crucial to understand its core values. Accenture believes in the six following principles:
- Client value creation: helping customers to perform better and create long-lasting relationships through excellent customer service.
- One global network: using global insights and connections to support a wider range of clients while working with different insights and cultures.
- Respect for the individual: creating transparent, open, and honest relationships with each other.
- Best people: fostering a collaborative atmosphere where people feel motivated and challenged to deliver the best services possible.
- Integrity: being honest and trustworthy by doing what they say and using actions to back up their words.
- Stewardship: protecting the Accenture brand and making the company a better place for future generations while being committed to always improving whenever possible.
It is crucial to demonstrate these values and how they apply to your own during the interview process.
Accenture Application Process
Accenture focuses on behavioral interviews that assess the candidate’s character and personality. As mentioned on its official website, the behavioral interview process assesses how you can handle certain scenarios and work with others.
The company follows the following recruitment procedure:
1. Search and apply
From the company’s job availability site, you can find the open positions that best match your expertise and experience. Accenture encourages candidates to prioritize fit and quality over quantity when approaching the application process.
Upon finding the position(s) you are interested in, you can submit your resume or CV and fill out some preliminary information. The recruitment team will then review the application and check to see if the profile matches the position’s requirements and description.
2. Interview rounds
There will be several interview rounds following the initial selection process. The format may be remote via phone, video, or in person. These interviews help the employer better understand your motivations and goals and how you can benefit the company.
Depending on the role you applied to, you may have to complete some online assessments on coding skills, decision-making, and natural strengths for technical check-ups.
Please know that the interviews are designed to be two-way conversations. You are welcome to ask any questions or concerns.
3. Feedback or offer
Accenture will try its best to update you as soon as possible when they come to a verdict. The team will reach out to you to either offer you a role or provide feedback so you can improve for future interviews.
If you accept Accenture’s offer, you will participate in the New Joiner Orientation, meet your colleagues, and learn about the company’s values, culture, growth strategy, and more. With a network of over 500,000 employees, you are open to making connections and forming friendships worldwide.
Accenture Interview Tips
Here are some tips to prepare you for an interview with Accenture.
1. Research the company
You want to show that you want to work at Accenture by showing demonstrated interest. Through research about the firm, you can come up with questions to ask to show you are committed to becoming an employee there.
2. Be prepared
Although you will never know exactly what questions will be asked, you should have organized some stories or past experiences that you know would help demonstrate your problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, and collaborative skills.
Make sure to also think of negative events that challenged you or were a setback for you. It is critical to be authentic and transparent with your responses.
3. Organize your ideas
When you have some stories to tell and some experiences to highlight, make sure you have prepared by structuring your responses. Accenture wants confident, distinctive, and even humorous candidates.
4. Practice, practice, practice
Once everything is organized and planned out, make sure to rehearse and practice your delivery, expressions, and tonality. Although you should not memorize answers, you should have a general framework ingrained in your mind as you rehearse and polish the responses.
Accenture also suggests candidates use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to help manage their answers. By using this approach, your responses include: how you identified the problem, how you took steps to address it, and how your actions led to an outcome.
Here is how you use of the STAR method:
1. S - Situation
What is the background and context of the story?
For example:
“We were working on an M&A deal for five months with a high-value startup and a Fortune 500 company. There were disagreements regarding the projected value of the startup.”
2. T - Task
What was your role in this event?
For example:
“I was the team lead who facilitated and oversaw the deal by working with my group and both clients. I looked over the analysts’ reports and led the presentations to the companies.”
3. A - Action
What did you do?
For example:
“I organized one-on-one time with my clients to hear what both sides have to say about our evaluations. Since we are at risk of losing this deal, I also scheduled check-ins with my team members to ensure we are on the same page and alleviate stress.”
4. R - Result
What was the result of your actions?
For example:
“After many rounds of negotiations, I brought the team together to revise the report. We then conferred with the companies, reached an agreement, and the deal went through.”
Why Accenture Interview Question
Like many other investment banks, Accenture wants to know why you would like to work for them. This demonstrates interest and commitment in working for the company, as many institutions wish to have employees staying for a long time.
As one of the most commonly asked questions, you must prepare in advance. To do so, you should research the company thoroughly and pinpoint anything that stood out to you that led you to apply for the position.
Some examples include the company’s contributions to addressing a social issue you cared about, a recognition of the organization’s strengths in the form of awards or honors, programs or growth opportunities for you to develop your skills or more.
Avoid mentioning financial topics like wages and income, work benefits, or anything related to your earnings. These questions show that you are in it for the money and do not have genuine interest or passion in working in the industry.
You should also show that you would like to work for the company for a long time, if you have the time to say so. Nevertheless, it is imperative to always come prepared with an organized response in mind. If possible, make the answer as personal and detailed as possible. Do not be vague.
Thus, upon going into an interview, you should always expect the following question:
Why do you want to work for Accenture?
Sample answer:
“Known for its high job satisfaction ratings and a cultural value focused on building a global network, I am very interested in working with people coming from different backgrounds and cultures.
In addition, the positive reviews on professional training and the company’s continuous drive to improve show that Accenture really commits to being the best company it can be. I would love to immerse myself in such a driven and collaborative environment.”
Here is another variation of the same question:
What about Accenture attracted your interest?
Sample answer:
“While undergoing my career search, I talked to my advisor and several friends who currently work at Accenture. From these conversations, I learned about Accenture’s inclusive environment and balanced work schedule, which are very appealing.
I believe that Accenture’s value of “respect for the individual” really shone through the closeness of teamwork and leadership with the organization when I spoke to current employees in the company. I want to immerse myself in this type of environment.”
Or:
How does Accenture align with your values?
“As someone dedicated to community service since high school, I had always envisioned myself working for a company like Accenture.
Seeing that Accenture partnered with NGOs to improve the mobile technology networks in Africa, I am motivated to continue my commitment to social betterment under a corporation sharing the same values.
Furthermore, as a former participant in Girls Who Code, I had always known Accenture’s involvement in supporting women in STEM like myself. This pursuit of gender representation and encouragement of others like myself to take on a male-dominated industry aligns with my values too.”
Other Accenture Interview Questions
Here are some behavioral Accenture interview questions and sample answers to provide a general framework and direction for your responses.
Since the financial industry is very demanding and stressful scenarios often come up, Accenture wants to know how capable you are at handling difficult situations. When answering the question, describe the situation, your position and actions you took to address it, and the outcome.
Sample answer:
“When I was a freshman in college, I was new to the finance world. At the time, I had only learned about how to perform a DCF model analysis at the Investment Club.
Eventually, I became more involved with the organization and participated in a deal flow simulation activity.
While others worked on their reports, I was new to the idea of using comparative analysis and LBO models to evaluate a company.
However, with their support, I began studying the steps to perform those analytical approaches. Since then, I have fully grasped the mechanics of using both evaluation metrics.”
The company wants to know if you would work for them in the long run. Companies like having loyal employees, so demonstrating your commitment to the firm is mandatory.
Sample answer:
“I hope to work with Accenture for a very long time and widen my exposure to how different businesses operate, strategize their growth, and plan their competitive edges to outcompete rivals.
In the short term, I hope to enhance my theoretical knowledge of financial modeling to the consulting world. Having only consulted local businesses and family-run restaurants, I want to interact with more types and sizes of companies.
In the long run, I wish to consult with Fortune 500 companies and learn more about different industries and climates from around the globe in the process.”
This question aims to assess your learning ability and how you can adapt to new ideas. Accenture wants employees who are versatile and willing to overcome unfamiliarity. In your answer, you would want to show a positive work attitude. Make sure to be specific.
Sample answer:
“When I joined the Real Estate Club in college, I was new to the ideas of calculating property tax, rental income, insurance, cap rates, and NOI. I had no idea what I was doing as the club members went about discussing case studies.
However, after coming across WSO’s Real Estate Modeling Course, I learned the mechanics of crafting models to assess property values. Quickly, I began applying those skill sets during case competitions. A year later, I was selected as a real estate consultant intern during the summer.”
As previously mentioned, encountering difficult situations is standard in an investment banking position. Be sure to provide relevant details and your impact in addressing adversity. Showing leadership and the ability to take initiative is crucial.
Sample answer:
“During one of the deals in my previous financial analyst role, our team realized we had made a grave error in calculating the company’s terminal value, having used the wrong company and industry for reference.
With this mistake, our team had to work overtime to catch up as the deal was very urgent. However, as the team manager, I convinced my colleagues to take a short 15-minute break right after finding out about this setback.
Afterward, we quickly regrouped and discussed the most efficient course correction. By splitting up the workload and assigning tasks to each member based on their strengths, we encourage one another throughout the night.
Our client was delighted with our service when we turned in the report a few days later.”
The company wants to know what they offer that enticed you to leave your current job, if applicable. Thus, be authentic and show the opportunities you can have here at Accenture.
Sample answer:
“Although I am happy to have worked with X Company, I want to try something new and expose myself to more types of companies and consulting strategies. In my current role, I feel limited in the types of clients I face, as they are mostly from the e-commerce industry.
At Accenture, I believe I could encounter firms with a wider range of requests and goals in expanding their services. I want to be challenged and work with a more diverse network of colleagues to help me strengthen my critical thinking and social skills.”
Final Tips
Here are some final suggestions and reminders to consider as you prepare for an upcoming interview.
1. Research the Company
Please research the company and be prepared to come up with questions. The more insightful and specific the questions are, the more you demonstrate your interest and commitment to the company.
2. Use the STAR method
Rehearse and use the STAR method to be confident and structured in your responses. You do not want to mumble or stutter too much, nor should your answers be lengthy. Aim to make your answers as concise and straightforward as possible.
3. Be yourself
Be yourself and avoid memorizing answers. However, do come prepared with stories or moments you would like to highlight to show your character, values, and skills, especially when tackling the behavioral interview process.
4. Appropriate settings
If the interview is virtual, ensure the background and setting are appropriate. Always dress up and arrive on time, no matter the interview format.
5. Brevity is key
End the interview strongly and emphasize your interest in working with the company. Make sure to follow up to outline what you have learned from the interview and share some bullet points on how you can impact the organization. Remember, brevity is key.
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