You might wonder why behavioral interviews are necessary when employers can simply review your CV. Behavioral interviews are designed to gain a deeper understanding of you beyond your written credentials. They aim to assess your past experiences to predict your future performance within the company.
Beyond your verbal responses, interviewers also pay close attention to your body language. For example, when describing a challenging situation and how you learned from it, your body language should convey genuine reflection and growth.
In this article, we won’t only discuss behavioral interview questions for EY interviews, but we will also go further to see expert ways for you to answer them, and how you can prepare for behavioral interviews at EY in order to ace them. Let’s get into it!
Top 14 Behavioral Questions For EY Interviews
One of the reasons for asking these types of questions is to learn about your past experiences and to be able to ascertain your future performance; if really you can meet the work expectations at the organization. Following this, it is not ideal to leave anything to chance so here are some well-tailored answers to the top 10 behavioral questions for EY interviews.
Note: At Fasthire, we offer personalized interview coaching services to help you excel in your interviews and secure your desired role. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how our expert coaches can guide you towards interview success.
1. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult colleague.
There are times when your coworkers can be troublesome; it seems almost inevitable. Your response to challenging coworkers therefore reveals a lot about you. Remember that the purpose of this question is to assess your ability to work with others, resolve conflicts, and be a professional in general. To illustrate how to respond to such questions, let’s look at an example.
Example: “In a previous project, I had a colleague who consistently missed deadlines and failed to communicate effectively. I proactively addressed the situation by scheduling a one-on-one meeting to discuss the impact of their actions on the team. I actively listened to their perspective, offered constructive feedback, and explored potential solutions together. Ultimately, we were able to improve communication and meet the project deadline.”
2. Describe a situation where you had to go above and beyond expectations.
Going above and beyond for a firm demonstrates your initiative, dedication, and problem-solving skills, making you more than just an employee. If you can modify this to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your willingness to contribute to the organization (dedication), you will be seen as a significant asset to the company.
Example: On a tight deadline, I noticed a potential risk that could significantly impact the project outcome. I took the initiative to research potential solutions, present my findings to the team, and implemented a mitigation strategy that ultimately saved the project from potential delays.
3. Tell me about a time you failed.
Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant failure. What valuable lessons did you learn from that experience? This question is not intended to criticize you but rather to assess your self-awareness and growth mindset. Recognizing and learning from past failures is an essential part of personal and professional development.
It’s important to acknowledge that making mistakes is an inevitable part of life and that avoiding failure often indicates a lack of risk-taking and innovation.
Example: I once underestimated the complexity of a task, leading to a missed deadline. I learned the importance of thorough planning and accurate time estimation. I took responsibility for the missed deadline, communicated proactively with my team, and developed a revised plan to ensure timely completion.
4. How do you handle pressure and tight deadlines?
Do you know how to use your time wisely? If so, this is your chance to demonstrate to them how you set priorities and work efficiently to constantly be ahead of schedule.
Example: “I thrive under pressure. When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize tasks effectively, break down complex projects into smaller, manageable steps, and communicate proactively with my team to ensure everyone is aligned and informed.”
5. Give an example of a time you demonstrated leadership.
Whether you are a politician or not, demonstrating leadership qualities will benefit you. In any organization, employers want to hire someone who can at the very least represent the company when the need arises. So this is why they use this question or something similar to assess your influence on others, motivation, and team-building abilities.
Example: “As the team lead on a recent project, I motivated my team members by recognizing and celebrating their accomplishments. I fostered a collaborative environment where everyone felt valued and empowered to contribute their best work.”
6. Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult client.
Some clients can be very demanding. You might be providing excellent service, but they may insist on approaches that are not in their best interest. When faced with such situations, it’s crucial to demonstrate strong client service, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Example: “I encountered a client who was dissatisfied with the initial project deliverables. I actively listened to their concerns, empathized with their frustrations, and worked closely with my team to identify and implement solutions that exceeded their expectations.”
7. Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision.
The main focus is your decision-making skills, critical thinking, and ethical considerations.
Example: “I had to make a difficult decision regarding resource allocation on a project with a limited budget. I carefully analyzed the potential impact of each option, consulted with key stakeholders, and ultimately made a decision that prioritized the most critical project objectives while minimizing potential risks.”
Note: At Fasthire, we offer personalized interview coaching services to help you excel in your interviews and secure your desired role. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how our expert coaches can guide you towards interview success.
8. How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
Similar to what we covered in number (4), this is used to assess the following skills: time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
Example: “I use a combination of tools and techniques to stay organized, such as to-do lists, project management software, and time blocking. I prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, and I regularly review and adjust my schedule to ensure I am making progress towards my goals.”
9. Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a changing environment.
Life often presents situations that require us to adapt and adjust. This question aims to assess your flexibility and adaptability skills by exploring how you’ve navigated significant life changes, such as relocating or transitioning between jobs.
Example: “During a recent project, unexpected changes in market conditions required us to adjust our strategy. I quickly adapted to the new circumstances, communicated the changes effectively to the team, and developed a revised plan that addressed the new challenges.”
10. Tell me about a time you had to work on a team project where there were disagreements.
It’s often said that “teamwork makes the dream work.” Remember to emphasize your ability to work well with others, negotiate, and resolve conflicts.
Example: “On a recent project, there were disagreements among team members regarding the best approach to a particular challenge. I facilitated a constructive discussion, actively listened to all perspectives, and helped the team reach a consensus that was acceptable to everyone.”
Others Include
11. How do you handle criticism? (Focus on: Self-awareness, growth mindset, and professional development).
12. Describe a situation where you had to work independently with minimal supervision. (Focus on: Self-motivation, initiative, and accountability).
13. How do you stay updated on industry trends and developments? (Focus on: Continuous learning, professional development, and industry knowledge).
14. What are your long-term career goals? (Focus on: Career aspirations, professional development, and alignment with EY’s values).
How You Can Prepare for Behavioural Interviews at EY
As you anticipate your interview at EY, here is how you can prepare for the behavioral interview questions for you to ace your interview and get hired.
1. Understand the STAR Method: This framework helps you structure your answers. With the STAR method, you can be able to describe the content of the situation (SITUATION), explain the task that was assigned to you or your team (TASK), the action you took (ACTION), and lastly the outcome of your actions (RESULT).
Moreso, instead of stopping at the result, take the initiative to highlight what you learn from the whole experience. This is what makes it really interesting.
2. Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with friends, family, or career counselors. This will help you get comfortable speaking about your experiences and refine your answers. (Check out our video on how to conduct mock interviews to gain more insight).
3. Tailor Your Answers to EY: Research EY’s values (e.g., integrity, teamwork, client service) and tailor your answers to demonstrate how your experiences align with these values.
4. Prepare Questions to Ask: Asking insightful questions demonstrates your interest and engagement. Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the role, the team, and the company culture.
How We Can Help You
Interviews are crucial for your career success. Simply reading articles may not be sufficient preparation. Consider mock interviews to simulate the real interview experience and build your confidence.
At Fasthire, we offer personalized interview coaching services to help you excel in your interviews and secure your desired role. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how our expert coaches can guide you towards interview success.
Conclusion on Behavioral Questions for EY Interviews (With Answers)
There you have it; Behavioral questions for EY interviews with answers and how to prepare to ace it seamlessly. This is just an overview of the likely questions that would be posed to you during EY interviews so feel free to reach out to us to guide you in preparing and eventually acing your interview. Good luck!