PWC First Interview (Video / Virtual) Competency Criteria:

PwC designed the first interview stage to judge you against the PwC Professional framework. This combines PwC’s five core values, Act with integrity, Make a difference, Care, Work together, Reimagine the possible, with professional behaviours such as Trusted Leadership, Distinctive Outcomes, Inspire, Empower, Evolve, Champion, Build and Deliver. These guide how PwC people lead, collaborate and deliver distinctive results. Interviewers will be looking for evidence that you embody these values and behaviours in your answers. Interview will be carried out under time restriction, so you must be able to withstand pressure. Imagine the embarrassment and panic caused by ‘freezing up’ at the PWC Video interview and you’ll realise just how important this is.

Although PWC do list some key competencies criteria on their website, they don’t provide many details on the initial and follow-up questions you can expect to face. However, you can draw on the experience of our experts, who have previously worked for Big Four firms, to give you a major advantage in this area.

PWC First Interview (Video / Virtual) Details:

As you may have guessed from the name, this is the first interview you will be faced with during the application process. Depending on availability and your career route of choice, in the past interview was held at PWC premises or over the telephone. Now a days, company is sending SHL link to ask candidates to record their answers to the interview questions online (virtually, on the SHL platform). Usually they say there is no time limits as interview can last from 40 minutes to two hours. However, the interview will last for 45 minutes on average, during which time you will face around 15 initial questions and three follow-up questions for each, leading to a total of roughly 45 questions (15x3). The first interview is most often conducted by a PWC manager, but sometimes a senior manager will take over this duty. An interviewer will typically hold around 20 to 30 interviews in a year. Below are two examples of the types of questions you will be facing:

To bring these values to life, PwC assess candidates through specific competencies such as Global Acumen and Technical Capabilities. They may also test Whole Leadership (motivating and inspiring others), Business Acumen (applying commercial awareness), and Relationships (building trust and collaboration). Even if you’re not asked directly about these areas, weaving them into your answers shows that you are a well-rounded fit for the PwC Professional framework. The questions you face will connect back to PwC’s broader values and behaviours, for example, showing how you act with integrity, work together with others, and reimagine the possible.

Example 1:

PWC COMPETENCY:   GLOBAL ACUMEN

Tell me about a time when you have changed your approach to a situation?

PWC FOLLOW ON QUESTIONS:

WHAT METHODS WERE YOU USING BEFORE PLANNING TO CHANGE IT?
WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR INITIAL PLANS?
WAS THE CHANGE IMPOSED ON YOU OR WERE YOU LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT?
WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF CHANGING YOUR APPROACH?

Example 2:

PWC COMPETENCY:   TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES 

Tell me about a technical or complex problem that you have handled recently?  

PWC FOLLOW ON QUESTIONS: 

WHAT CAUSED THAT PROBLEM?
HOW DID YOU NOTICE ABOUT THAT PROBLEM?
WHAT HARM WAS CAUSED BY THAT PROBLEM?
WHAT ACTIONS DID YOU TAKE TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEM?  

Example 3:

PWC COMPETENCY:   PWC COMPETENCY: RELATIONSHIPS

Tell me about a time when you built trust with someone who initially disagreed with you?

PWC FOLLOW ON QUESTIONS:

HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE SITUATION?
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSPECTIVE?
WHAT WAS THE FINAL OUTCOME?

PWC First Interview Results:

Your performance during the first interview will be retained on permanent record and used during PWC’s final deliberations to decide whether or not you have got the job. It’s entirely possible to get through this stage by attaining a passing grade yet fail to secure employment when PWC recruiters take a look at your collective performances over the whole application process.

 Interviewers also compare your answers against PwC’s values and behaviours. Demonstrating integrity, empathy and curiosity isn’t just “nice to have”, it directly influences whether you achieve the top score of 5 out of 5 in each competency.

PWC grade your ability on each stage between 1 point and 5. It is assumed by PWC that if an applicant can demonstrate ‘core capabilities’ and attain the full 5 marks during the first interview process then they automatically become a perfect match for the firm.

This means you need to score the maximum 5 points on every single stage to set yourself apart from rival job seekers and cannot afford to take a job test without having been properly prepared by Green Turn.

The Green Turn Preparation Pack:

Our research findings show that 30% of applicants fail PWC’s first interview stage, which in practice means that they have basically ruined their chances of ever securing a job with the firm. You are in a race against time – vacancies are quickly filled due to the major salary and status benefits provided by Big Four companies. Give your chances a serious boost by purchasing our preparation pack, which includes:

• Specific mock exams containing PwC-style motivational, scenario, and competency-based questions, all answered in STAR format, with clear guidance on how to link your responses back to PwC’s values and behaviours.
• Guidance on the PWC key competencies criteria that you will be assessed against during the first interview tests
• Full information and guidance on pass and fail criteria, with a detailed marking scheme guide for the PWC first interview
• 24/7 online access to our personalised simulation programmes, so you can practice for the real test at your convenience
• A questions and answers pack, containing detailed guidance on the questions that you will be faced with and the best approach to answering them
• Advanced and detailed performance reports, so you can check how you’re progressing at any time

In Conclusion:

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’ experience of successfully fast-tracking people like you into positions with the top companies and regularly receive positive feedback on our training methods. By purchasing our preparation packs, you are gaining access to an invaluable network of former Big Four employees who have the required knowledge and desire to advance you into a dream job. We pride ourselves on our clients’ 90-to-100% pass rates and it’s in our interests that you achieve employment so that the retention level stays high.

Ultimately, success in the PwC video interview comes from aligning your answers with PwC’s values and behaviours. If you can show that you act with integrity, make a difference, care for others, work well in teams, and reimagine solutions, you’ll stand out as someone who truly embodies the PwC Professional framework.

Buy PWC First Interview Preparation Course Now!

Everyone wants to assure themselves of a financially comfortable future, without worrying how to make ends meet, and a job with PWC is the perfect opportunity to do just that. You can access the secrets of realising your dream, our experts look forward to engaging with you, so register with us now and let’s start work!

Customer Reviews

		First Competency Based Interview Course Review Comments
		"I highly recommend buying every single material published by Green Turn. It’s really genuine and sufficient for your preparation."
		Successful PWC Audit Applicant

		First Competency Based Interview Course Review Comments
		"I have passed my first competency-based interview with PWC over the phone. The interview lasted merely thirty minutes in total and the questions were exactly what I received in Green Turn course material."
		Successful PWC Advisory Applicant

		First Competency Based Interview Course Review Comments
		"I like the quality of detailed answers written for every question in the Interview Success book. I would recommend reading detailed question answers pack written by Green Turn and book time in ex-manager diary."
		Successful PWC Tax Applicant

		First Competency Based Interview Course Review Comments
		"I like the fact that I received weekly reminders from Green Turn software simulation reminding how well I was performing against other candidates. "
		Successful PWC Consulting Applicant

> Sign in to see all satisfactory customer reviews on PWC Interview products recently bought.

Read on the remaining PWC recruitment process test guidance:

Step 5:  attend PWC Assessment Centre

Step 6:  attend PWC Final Interview with Partner

Step 7:  successful applicant will receive a job offer