Big 4 · 3.6% acceptance rate

EY (Ernst & Young) Interview Preparation

Building a better working world through people, technology, and innovation

95,000+

Applications

3.6%

Offer rate

$91,000

Starting salary

Practice EY (Ernst & Young) HireVue free
Free for 3 daysNo card until trial endsCancel anytime
HireVue Practice

EY — HireVue Practice

Your question

""

30s preparation 2 min recording Camera + mic

Application process

How to get into EY (Ernst & Young) — step by step

1

Online Application

Weeks 1-2

EY asks about background, technical skills, and industry interests. Mention any experience with transformation, technology, or business improvement.

2

HireVue Video Interview

Week 3-4

Behavioral questions about teamwork, problem-solving, and client focus. Be conversational and demonstrate business thinking.

3

Case & Business Discussion Round

Week 5-7

Expect 1-2 business cases (more practical than strategy firms) and a discussion about your background. Show consulting mindset and client orientation.

4

Superday or Second Round

Week 7-8

Typically includes another case, behavioral interview, and meeting with a manager or partner. They're assessing consulting fit and service line alignment.

5

Offer

Week 9+

EY offers may have some negotiation room on bonus structure or start timing. Ask respectfully if flexibility exists.

Interview questions

EY (Ernst & Young) interview questions by round

Questions change at every stage. Know what to expect.

  • 1A major insurance company is losing customers to digital-native competitors. How would you advise them?
  • 2Our client is a manufacturing firm wanting to implement Industry 4.0. What would you recommend?
  • 3A healthcare system wants to consolidate IT infrastructure across multiple hospitals. How would you approach the business case?
  • 4A financial services firm is launching a fintech arm. What challenges would they face, and how would you help?

What they value

What EY (Ernst & Young) looks for in candidates

Transformation mindset

EY specializes in helping organizations transform. Show you understand change management, organizational design, and how to overcome resistance to transformation.

Business & technology acumen

EY works at the intersection of business and technology. Understand both. Basic tech knowledge (cloud, analytics, cybersecurity) is valuable.

Client relationship skills

EY consultants own client relationships from day one. Show you're a great listener, ask clarifying questions, and focus on solving real problems.

Practical problem-solving

EY values people who think about implementation. "Here's the strategy AND here's how we execute it" beats pure strategy-only thinking.

Adaptability & learning agility

EY works across industries and functions. Show you can pick up new knowledge quickly and adapt to different client cultures and industries.

Compensation

EY (Ernst & Young) salary & benefits

Graduate

$91,000

Intern

$2,850

Bonus

$15,000-25,000 signing + performance bonus (typically $10-22k annually)

Perks & benefits

Health, dental, vision coverageStandard vacation (20 days + holidays)401(k) matching up to 6%Parental leave (4 weeks primary caregiver, 2 weeks secondary)Tuition reimbursement ($12,000 per year)Professional certifications (CPA, CISM, PMP) supportWellness programs, mental health servicesEmployee Assistance Program (EAP), financial planning resources

Culture & work style

What it's actually like to work at EY (Ernst & Young)

Large and hierarchical with structure: Analyst → Senior Analyst → Manager → Senior Manager → Principal → Partner.
Multiple service lines: Consulting (transformation & operations), Risk Advisory, Technology Consulting, Strategy & Transactions.
Strong transformation and change management culture. You'll often be helping organizations reinvent themselves.
Travel 40-60% depending on service line and project type. Some roles are more client-site intensive than others.
Emphasis on continuous learning and professional development. EY invests heavily in training and certification support.

Insider tips

How to stand out at EY (Ernst & Young)

1

Show understanding of EY's transformation focus. Reference a recent transformation project or client success you've heard about.

2

Demonstrate curiosity about how organizations change. "What was the biggest challenge in driving adoption?" shows consulting maturity.

3

Highlight experience with process improvement, organizational change, or cross-functional project management.

4

Show awareness of EY's strong government and public sector work if interested in that space. It's a major differentiator.

5

Ask thoughtful questions about service line specialization and client types. Show you've researched beyond generic consulting.

Compare

EY (Ernst & Young) vs competitors

FirmSalaryHoursCultureExit opps
EY (Ernst & Young)$91,000—/weekLarge and hierarchical with structure: A...—
Deloitte Consulting$90,000-95,000 + variable bonus55-65/weekSimilar implementation focus. Slightly stronger in technology and digital. More hierarchical.Fortune 500 strategy, tech leadership, corporate roles. Comparable to EY.
KPMG Consulting$86,000-92,000 + variable bonus55-65/weekImplementation-heavy. Strong in audit and tax consulting integration. More government-focused.Government roles, Big Tech, corporate positions. Different profile than EY.
PwC Consulting$88,000-94,000 + variable bonus55-65/weekSimilar to EY on transformation. Strong in financial services focus. Slightly less tech-forward.Finance, corporate strategy, Big Tech. Comparable to EY.
McKinsey & Company$115,000 base + $30,000 signing50-55/weekPure strategy focus. More prestigious, more hierarchical. Stronger brand.Top tech, venture capital, elite corporate roles. Stronger external brand than Big 4.

FAQ

EY (Ernst & Young) FAQs

95,000+ people are applying.
Be the one who prepared.

Free HireVue practice with EY (Ernst & Young) questions. Scored report with competency breakdown. No signup required.

Practice for EY (Ernst & Young) free
Free for 3 daysNo card until trial endsCancel anytime