[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I recently received a 2nd round office interview with a Big 4 firm and couldn’t be more excited! I’ve looked extensively at the actual format and such of the interview, but I’m actually a bit more curious as to the chances here in this round, which from what I’m hearing are far, far better than the 1st round?

To my surprise, I’ve been told by everyone around me at my school to just relax, “it’s your to lose”, “just don’t screw up and you’re fine”, “you’re competing against yourself now, not the other 4 people with you for the internship”, “they’re just giving one last check to make sure.” The firm’s attitude has changed also, and I certainly have felt courted this last week by them. (Very flattering of course!)

This all sounds great, but what exactly do they mean in regards to this office visit process? Are the 5 people brought in for the interview all expected to be offered an internship spot as long as they’re a good fit? I’d assume “it’s yours to lose” means that if someone was to completely screw up, they’d just call in an alternate to come into the office for an interview at a later time?

Just trying to gain a little clarity here. Thanks guys.

[MultiMediaWill]

It really is yours to lose. From what I've heard, Big 4 firms hire as many qualified, well-fitting candidates as they can on a rolling basis. Therefore, I do not believe each firm has a set number of applicants per available spots.

[snargaluff]

IMHO, I think a lot of people tell others that if you are invited to second round, “you pretty much have the offer” or “your chances of getting it are extremely high, like 75% chance!” This is to make you more relaxed and less nervous come interview time so you might be more likely to show your true self during the day. In actuality, the chances are much lower.

Also, I think attitudes can change once the process is nearing to a close because they assume that whoever they are seriously considering will also be interviewing and getting offers from the other big 4 and midsized firms so they're tryna up their game a bit? But also to make you feel more comfortable and relaxed around everyone.

[palmtop_taiga]

I actually am in the same situation and it's my first second interview with a big 4 firm, so I am very excited and nervous at the same time!

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[MultiMediaWill]

For me, the most nerve racking part of the entire office visit actually happened to be the first 10 minutes of the pre-interview social the night before. When I arrived to the dining area, I was outnumbered by Big 4 staff about 5 to 1. That, combined with this being the first interaction I had with them outside of on-campus interviews, led me to feel very uncomfortable. However, after a few minutes, more students started showing up and then the rest of the dinner and office visit were a breeze.

[Anonymous]

I'm a bit nervous too for the dinner portion, Will. Haha. Mine is actually 3 nights prior to the office visit, so it wont be jammed completely into a two-day stretch, but I definitely want to make a good impression that's remembered during that period of a couple days. It should be fun to meet everyone though, and I'm sure once I'm actually sitting down and engaging, it won't be so bad. It's always the stewing around waiting beforehand that gets me. Hah.

[MultiMediaWill]

Brandon, don't worry too much about it! I had so much fun during my pre-interview social. The partners are actually really fun to talk to. They all have great stories to share and they usually are interested to hear your background. This one partner and I even stayed late and walked around the downtown area of the city after the dinner was over. Overall, I learned so much about public accounting and about the city of my internship over the course of the 2 hours. Very fun time!

[Peanut Butter is Good]

Guys, I have 2 final rounders at Big 4's coming up next week. Both Superdays. I have a question. I interviewed at a midsize, and really tried to convey my passion and enthusiasm for why I want to work there. This seems to be what they are looking for. I think it's an ego thing. However, I'm not sure if this is the right behavior for interviewing at a Big 4. I've heard it's a little more impersonal, and they are more worried about different things. Any knowledge on this, or am I “trippin yo”?

AUD - 84
BEC - 88
FAR - 81
REG - 79

If I passed so can you!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, Will. Your experience certainly makes me feel much better, haha. Honestly, any opportunity I have to engage with them is probably a great positive for me when the visit comes, so I'm more excited as this Monday night comes closer. Someone from the firm also reached out to meet me on campus for coffee in the AM to talk about the internship, firm, process, etc. so that's a nice little opportunity to ease into everything later that night. I'm looking pretty forward to meeting everyone and just learning more about them.

I have to say also that it's nice that the firm has shifted from me selling them to them selling me. I was very surprised by this shift, but it definitely feels far better than during the week of 1st rounds. Is this something you experienced where you felt this was a place that wanted you, but it was just up to you to just be solid during the office visit and confirm their prior thinking?

[MultiMediaWill]

Brandon, definitely yes. During the entire office visit, I felt like the firm was trying to convince me why they are better than the other 3 firms. They know how to sell you very well. Not gonna lie, after I left the office, I was convinced that my firm was the greatest thing that has happened to this earth. So yes, be prepared to feel ‘sold.'

[Anonymous]

That is certainly a relief. Much easier to be myself when they want me also, haha. Just another question in regards to the pre-visit Dinner; Anything in particular I should be prepared with about the firm, or just go in, relax, chat, and be myself? I would assume while I'm still under evaluation, this is still a pretty relaxed opportunity.

[Author]

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