[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I hope you guys have had a great winter vacation. This month, I will have my final interview for 2014 summer internship at a Big 4 firm. I have not known the exact day yet as I am waiting from the HR department. I am wondering if anyone could give me some advice how to prepare for it. Also, should I send cold emails to network with Partners at that department before the interview? (I had previous work experience in the field that I am applying to so I think that I could easily talk with Partners about it). Thank you very much for your support!

[dpad124]

What kind of process are they doing? For me when I made final rounds, they would typically take you to dinner the night before and/or lunch the day of. Or are you just going to the office and doing your interviews>?

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

What kind of process are they doing? For me when I made final rounds, they would typically take you to dinner the night before and/or lunch the day of. Or are you just going to the office and doing your interviews>?

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[Anonymous]

I think that I will only come to the office for my interview. The HR staff said that I will be interviewed by a team but I assume that at least one Partner will show up.

[Anonymous]

I think that I will only come to the office for my interview. The HR staff said that I will be interviewed by a team but I assume that at least one Partner will show up.

[dpad124]

In my experience, you will usually get interviewed by 1 partner in the division you will work in. Then you will be interviewed by 2 managers as well.

What I did was reach out to the 3 who interviewed me after my interviews. These will be the people who decide if you are a fit for the firm. So either send them a thank you email or letter.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

In my experience, you will usually get interviewed by 1 partner in the division you will work in. Then you will be interviewed by 2 managers as well.

What I did was reach out to the 3 who interviewed me after my interviews. These will be the people who decide if you are a fit for the firm. So either send them a thank you email or letter.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[Anonymous]

So you only reach out to them after your interview?

Actually as I checked on LinkedIn, I found that they have 3 partners, 2 directors and 3 managers (one of them interviewed me at the phone interview round). I just wonder should I send cold emails to these partners now, before the interview? I will only try to express my passion, my work experience, my credential and ask about their experience in their career paths. If they do not reply, I assume that at least I may catch their attention. Should I do so?

[Anonymous]

So you only reach out to them after your interview?

Actually as I checked on LinkedIn, I found that they have 3 partners, 2 directors and 3 managers (one of them interviewed me at the phone interview round). I just wonder should I send cold emails to these partners now, before the interview? I will only try to express my passion, my work experience, my credential and ask about their experience in their career paths. If they do not reply, I assume that at least I may catch their attention. Should I do so?

[dpad124]

That one is your call.

I personally wouldn't because there is a good chance you will meet with most of them for your interview and you can show them all that then.

Plus it seems a little over eager. Now, the manager who interviewed you over the phone is different. I would reach out to him if you had any questions or something.

Of course someone else may have a completely different take on it.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

That one is your call.

I personally wouldn't because there is a good chance you will meet with most of them for your interview and you can show them all that then.

Plus it seems a little over eager. Now, the manager who interviewed you over the phone is different. I would reach out to him if you had any questions or something.

Of course someone else may have a completely different take on it.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much, dpat124! I think you made a good point. I failed with another Big 4 firm a couple weeks ago and now I seem to be obsessive with getting an internship. Did you prepare anything else for your interview? (behavior questions/technical questions/ etc)

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much, dpat124! I think you made a good point. I failed with another Big 4 firm a couple weeks ago and now I seem to be obsessive with getting an internship. Did you prepare anything else for your interview? (behavior questions/technical questions/ etc)

[dpad124]

For me the most important thing with recruiting was to just relax. They know everyone is nervous for interviews so don't beat yourself up.

Next, you've been through other interviews before, which is sounds like you have, you know the type of questions likely to be asked. Most will be behavioral if not all. They want to know if you are a good fit with the office because you will be working elbow to elbow with them for a ton of hours a week. So before hand, think of the questions likely asked and think of what you will answer to those. Don't make it sounds scripted but at least know generally what you're going to answer.

Lastly, be honest with them and yourself. Don't try to embellish things to make them sound better, and be honest with yourself on what you want. Also, realize you meet their standards so don't feel like you don't belong there.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

For me the most important thing with recruiting was to just relax. They know everyone is nervous for interviews so don't beat yourself up.

Next, you've been through other interviews before, which is sounds like you have, you know the type of questions likely to be asked. Most will be behavioral if not all. They want to know if you are a good fit with the office because you will be working elbow to elbow with them for a ton of hours a week. So before hand, think of the questions likely asked and think of what you will answer to those. Don't make it sounds scripted but at least know generally what you're going to answer.

Lastly, be honest with them and yourself. Don't try to embellish things to make them sound better, and be honest with yourself on what you want. Also, realize you meet their standards so don't feel like you don't belong there.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[Anonymous]

It is great, dpat124! Will try my best and let's see what happens. hope that I will have good news to share with you! 🙂

[Author]

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