EY First Interview Guidance

You have passed the early stages. Now you need to show how you think and work. EY checks interview skills in two ways. Some programmes include short video questions inside the EY Job Simulation. Other service lines invite you to a separate First Interview online or in the office. This page helps you prepare for both so you do not repeat effort.

EY uses a strengths model compared to competency based interview structure. Your aim is to give clear real-life stories that match these strengths. The online interview is conducted as either a part EY Simulation stage, which comes after the earlier stage of EY Online Assessments, or as the interview is conducted at EY premises for few service lines again after skills based online assessments.

How EY assesses interview skills

Interviewers collect evidence against EY strengths. They look for motivation, teamwork, problem solving, communication and ethics. In the Job Simulation, you record short video answers. In a separate First Interview, you speak live with an EY manager or a senior member of the team. The skills are the same. Only the format changes.

Formats you may see

• Video inside Job Simulation short prompt, plan your points, record one take, keep to time.
• Live online First Interview usually on Microsoft Teams. Around 30 to 45 minutes with follow up questions.
• In office First Interview the same themes as online. Arrive early and bring notes if they help you focus.

Use simple structure. Be clear. Show your result.

EY strengths to prepare

Prepare one strong story and one backup for each strength. Use STAR. Keep the situation short. Spend most time on your actions and the result.

• Adaptability a change of plan and a good outcome. Ideas include a new process, tool, or deadline.
• Learning Agility a skill you learned fast and used right away. Ideas include new software or a new topic.
• Curiosity a smart question that led to a better answer. Ideas include a process fix or a client insight.
• Resilience pressure or setback and how you stayed on track. Ideas include tight deadlines or multiple tasks.
• Collaboration clear roles and a shared win. Ideas include a cross team project or a society event.
• Motivation why EY, why your service line and why now. Link to recent EY work where you can.
• Integrity a choice you made because it was right. Show judgement and honesty.
• Relationship Building a new contact, trust built and agreement reached. Show listening and follow up.

Video interview tips for Job Simulation

• Read the prompt and spot the strength in focus.
• Plan a quick STAR outline. One line for situation. One line for task. Three lines for action. One line for result.
• Look at the camera. Speak at a steady pace. Keep within the time limit.
• Finish with one lesson learned that links back to the strength.

For other Job Simulation tasks, use the full guide here. EY Job Simulation Assessments.

Live interview tips

• Expect 9 to 11 questions with follow ups. Answer clearly and stay on point.
• When asked why, explain your reason. When asked how, break down your steps.
• Bring one simple commercial story for your area. What is changing, why it matters, how EY helps clients.
• Be polite to everyone you meet. Small details build trust.

Example prompts with follow ups

Adaptability

Tell me about a time plans changed and you still delivered a good result.

Follow ups what changed, how you reset the plan, what result you achieved.

Learning Agility

Describe a new skill you learned quickly and used right away.

Follow ups how you learned it, how you tested it, what impact it had.

Collaboration

Give an example of teamwork where you helped others to succeed.

Follow ups who was involved, how you divided work, how you tracked progress.

Integrity

Describe a decision you took because it was the right thing to do.

Follow ups what risks you considered, who you informed, what you learned.

Motivation

Why EY and why this service line.

Follow ups recent EY work that interests you, how your skills add value, what you want to learn next.

The Green Turn preparation pack

Many candidates lose marks because stories are vague or too long. Fix that with focused practice.

• Mock interviews for each service line with full STAR and strengths answers and realistic follow ups.
• Guidance mapped to EY strengths so you know what is measured and how to show it.
• Clear pass criteria and scoring insight so you can target the last few points.
• Any time access to timed video drills for Job Simulation style answers.
• Commercial prompts for Assurance, Tax, Consulting and Strategy and Transactions.
• Performance reports to track progress and close gaps fast.

Buy EY First Interview Preparation Course

Green Turn is the market leader and the only specialist company worldwide that offers specific training on how to secure a Big Four job delivered by former employees of the companies in question. We have nineteen years of experience successfully fast tracking people like you into positions with the top companies and we regularly receive positive feedback on our training methods. By purchasing our preparation packs, you gain access to an invaluable network of former Big Four employees who have the knowledge and the desire to help you move into a dream job. We pride ourselves on our clients ninety to one hundred percent pass rates and it is in our interests that you achieve employment so that the retention level stays high.

Customer Reviews

		First Interview Course Review Comments
		"The mock probes and timing made a big difference. I passed the video stage and the live interview." Successful EY Assurance Graduate Applicant

		Strengths Interview Review Comments
		"Clear structures and examples that matched EY strengths. I felt calm during the recording." Successful EY Consulting Applicant

		First Interview Coaching Review Comments
		"The structure kept me on track. I used one strong story per strength and finished within time. I moved to the Assessment Centre." Successful EY Tax Applicant

		Video Interview Review Comments
		"The mock probes were close to what I got on the day. Camera setup and practice made me sound natural. I received a Partner interview invite." Successful EY Consulting Graduate Applicant

> Sign in to read more verified reviews on EY First Interview products.

Read the next steps in the EY process

Step 5: Attend EY Job Simulation Assessment
Step 6: Attend EY Assessment Centre
Step 7: Attend EY Final Partner Interview
Step 8: Successful applicant will receive a job offer