Manager / Senior Manager
Closer to the day-to-day
They may focus on how you learn, take feedback, manage deadlines, work on teams, ask questions, communicate, and understand the internship.
Big 4 interview format
Why Does My Big 4 Internship Interview Have Two 30-Minute Interviews?
Two interviews does not mean you need two different personalities, twelve new STAR stories, or two different Why Audit answers.
The exact format varies by firm, office, service line, and recruiting cycle. Multiple short interviews usually let different professionals evaluate you from different perspectives.
Research Both InterviewersThink two professional conversations
You might speak with a manager and partner, two managers, or another combination of professionals. Prepare to be consistent and adaptable.
Are the two interviews usually different?
They can be, but not necessarily in a dramatic way. You may hear overlapping questions such as Tell me about yourself, Why audit, Why this firm, teamwork, deadlines, feedback, and what questions you have. Different people may simply want their own impression.
Partner / Director
Broader perspective
The conversation may naturally move toward Why Audit, Why This Firm, clients, industry changes, career progression, technology, and what strong new staff do differently.
Questions to ask a manager
What makes an intern genuinely helpful to an engagement team?
What do interns usually struggle with at first?
How is feedback normally given?
What does strong performance look like by the end of the internship?
What did you find hardest when you were a first-year staff member?
Questions to ask a partner
What made you stay in audit long enough to become a partner?
What do your strongest first-year staff do differently?
How has audit changed since you started?
What skills will matter more for new auditors over the next few years?
If you were starting your career again, what would you focus on first?
Do I need different STAR stories?
No.
Prepare flexible stories for teamwork, conflict, competing deadlines, a mistake, feedback, and leadership or initiative. One story can answer multiple questions. The second interviewer does not need a completely new version of your life.
Research both interviewers
Use role, career path, industry, office, and professional work to tailor your questions.
Keep it professional. The goal is a better interview conversation, not unrelated private information.
Research My Interviewer FreeNight-before checklist