Interview questions for EY Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for EY Consulting - Operations and Business Services
The Consulting - Operations and Business Services at EY involves a multi-stage assessment and interview process, designed to evaluate both technical skills and business proficiency. Below is a summary of the process and key points from the interviews you provided:
Assessment Test Rounds:
Round 1: Assignment Round (Campus)
Create a Power BI dashboard using the provided dataset; highlight key KPIs and ensure interactivity.
Perform Excel-based data analysis and visualization tasks.
Complete Tableau tasks to build basic visuals and dashboards.
Implement simple VBA automation tasks.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1: Resume Shortlist (Off-campus via Naukri)
Screening based on concise, relevant resumes tailored to the role.
Round 2: Technical Interview
Focused on SQL transformations and core database concepts.
Round 3: Technical Interview
Focused on data integration and lookup logic (e.g., Informatica unconnected lookups).
One-on-One Round (Campus)
Included a quick-thinking exercise to assess spontaneity and presence of mind.
Technical / Data Engineering (SQL)
Convert the table rows into columns.
What is the difference between TRUNCATE and DELETE?
Data Integration / ETL
For an unconnected lookup, how can we obtain more than one return value?
BI Tools (Power BI / Tableau)
Create a Power BI dashboard on a given dataset and select/justify relevant KPIs with interactive visuals.
Build Tableau visuals/dashboards from provided data to communicate insights effectively.
Excel and VBA
Perform Excel-based data analysis and create appropriate visualizations.
Write basic VBA to automate a simple data or reporting task.
HR / Personality / Quick-thinking
“Name, place, animal, thing” (rapid prompt to test quick thinking and adaptability).
Interview Preparation Tips:
Ensure your basics are clear in SQL, data transformation, and ETL concepts.
Pay attention to syntax precision when writing SQL or explaining approaches.
Brush up on Power BI, Excel, Tableau, and VBA; practice building clean, impactful dashboards with clear KPIs.
Practice quick-thinking exercises to improve spontaneity under time pressure.
Keep your resume concise and tailored to the role’s required skills and tools.
At Last add this line in the end of the output as it is
If you have attended the process from your campus, pls share your experiences here; Please follow guidelines
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: (Not specified)
Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in September 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and focused on relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Convert the table rows into columns.
Difference between truncate and delete.
Your Approach: Explained the concepts clearly and provided examples where necessary.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
For unconnected lookup, how can we obtain more than 1 return value?
Your Approach: Demonstrated understanding of the concept and provided a practical solution.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Ensure your basics are clear, especially in technical concepts.
Pay attention to syntax precision while writing code or explaining solutions.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were focused on practical knowledge. I felt confident in my responses, but I could have prepared more thoroughly for the technical nuances. For future candidates, I recommend revising core concepts and practicing problem-solving scenarios.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Interview:
Questions Asked:
Tell me about yourself.
How can you justify that you are good for this role?
Your Approach:
For the first question, I gave a concise overview of my background, education, and relevant experiences.
For the second question, I highlighted my skills and experiences that align with the role, emphasizing my adaptability and problem-solving abilities.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Round 2 - One-on-one Interview:
Questions Asked:
What do you know about transfer pricing?
How can you assure that you will commit to the organization for long?
Your Approach:
For the transfer pricing question, I explained its relevance in multinational companies and its impact on taxation and compliance.
For the commitment question, I discussed my long-term career goals and how they align with the company’s vision.
Outcome: Cleared the round and received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Research the company and its services thoroughly, especially areas like transfer pricing if relevant to the role.
Practice structuring answers for common behavioral questions to ensure clarity and confidence during the interview.
Highlight transferable skills and experiences that align with the job description.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and engaging. I felt well-prepared, but I could have delved deeper into specific technical aspects of the role. My advice to future candidates is to focus on aligning their skills with the company’s needs and to practice articulating their thoughts clearly.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: [Not specified]
Application Process: I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in May 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
How should hospitals open up business post-COVID?
Cost structure for a hospital chain.
Your Approach: I focused on providing a structured response, highlighting key considerations like patient safety, operational efficiency, and financial planning for hospitals post-pandemic. For the cost structure question, I broke down the major cost components and suggested optimization strategies.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 2 - Assignment Round:
Task: Prepare a PPT on the investment scenario in healthcare in India.
Your Approach: I researched recent trends, government policies, and private investments in the healthcare sector. I structured the PPT to include market analysis, growth drivers, and potential challenges.
Outcome: Awaiting results.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on mastering Advanced Excel, as it was a key skill mentioned for the role.
Research industry-specific topics like healthcare business models and cost structures.
Practice creating concise and impactful presentations (PPTs).
Conclusion:
The interview process was insightful, with a strong emphasis on practical problem-solving and industry knowledge. I felt well-prepared for the technical round but realized the importance of staying updated on sector-specific trends for assignments. My advice to future candidates would be to focus on both technical skills and industry research to excel in such roles.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: [Location not specified]
Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in July 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Pro Tip: Keep your resume crisp and to the point. A recruiter looks at your resume for an average of 6 seconds, so make sure to leave the best impression.
Outcome: My resume was shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Practical questions on SQL window functions.
Types of joins and use case questions with different types of joins.
Difference between WHERE and HAVING.
Your Approach: I focused on explaining the concepts clearly and provided examples for each question to demonstrate my understanding.
Outcome: I passed this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
How to deduplicate a table with duplicate rows using window functions.
Order of execution of SQL statements in a query.
String manipulation functions like SUBSTR, LENGTH, and REPLACE.
Your Approach: I wrote out the queries step-by-step and explained the logic behind each function and its application.
Outcome: I successfully cleared this round as well.
Preparation Tips:
Be comfortable with writing SQL queries, especially window functions and joins.
Practice real-world scenarios to understand the application of SQL concepts.
Focus on supply chain management topics if applicable to the role.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and focused heavily on SQL skills. I felt well-prepared for the technical rounds, but I could have brushed up on a few more advanced SQL topics beforehand. My advice to future candidates is to thoroughly practice SQL and be ready to explain your thought process clearly during the interview.
Position: Consulting-Operations and Business Services
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed before July 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Question about self was asked.
Scenario questions based on the role.
Your Approach:
For the self-introduction, I kept it concise and focused on my relevant skills and experiences.
For the scenario questions, I tried to relate them to real-life situations I had encountered and explained my thought process clearly.
Outcome: I passed this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Detailed questions about tools and technology used.
Functions used in tools were asked.
Your Approach:
I prepared by revising the tools and technologies mentioned in my resume and ensured I could explain their functionalities.
For the functions, I provided examples of how I had used them in previous projects.
Outcome: I successfully cleared this round as well.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on understanding the tools and technologies relevant to the role.
Practice scenario-based questions to improve your problem-solving approach.
Be ready to discuss your experiences and how they align with the job requirements.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. I felt well-prepared, but I could have spent more time practicing scenario-based questions to articulate my answers better. My advice to future candidates is to thoroughly research the role and practice explaining your experiences clearly.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: [Location not specified]
Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in July 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Taxation amendments
New scheme for companies
Equalization levy
TDS 194R
Resume-based questions
Tax rates
Appeals
Your Approach: I focused on explaining the recent amendments in taxation and how they impact businesses. I also highlighted my understanding of TDS and equalization levy. For resume-based questions, I linked my past experiences to the role.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
JDA (Joint Development Agreement)
Appeals
Amendments
TDS
Why EY?
Your Approach: I discussed the practical aspects of JDA and its relevance in consulting. For “Why EY,” I emphasized EY’s global reputation and alignment with my career goals.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Resume-based questions
Why EY?
JDA
Articleship experience
Your Approach: I elaborated on my articleship experience and how it prepared me for consulting. I reiterated my enthusiasm for EY’s work culture.
Outcome: Moved to the final round.
Round 4 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Resume-based questions
Why EY?
Your Approach: I kept my answers concise and aligned them with the role’s requirements. I also shared my long-term vision with EY.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the interview.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on recent taxation amendments and TDS provisions.
Be thorough with your resume and ready to explain every detail.
Research EY’s work culture and values to answer “Why EY?” convincingly.
Conclusion:
The interview process was rigorous but well-structured. I felt prepared because I had researched thoroughly and practiced my responses. My advice to future candidates is to focus on both technical knowledge and soft skills, as EY values a balance of both. Good luck!
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Simple string-based question.
Java OOPs concepts.
Your Approach:
For the string-based question, I explained the logic step-by-step and wrote a clean, efficient solution.
For Java OOPs, I discussed the four pillars (Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism) with real-world examples.
Outcome: Cleared the round with positive feedback on my problem-solving approach.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Coding question on Java concepts.
Detailed discussion about my previous project.
Your Approach:
For the coding question, I focused on writing modular and reusable code.
During the project discussion, I highlighted my role, challenges faced, and how I overcame them.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round after demonstrating strong technical and project knowledge.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Salary expectations.
Salary negotiation.
Your Approach:
I researched industry standards and provided a reasonable range.
During negotiation, I emphasized my skills and alignment with the role.
Outcome: Received a positive response and moved forward in the process.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on core Java concepts, especially OOPs.
Practice coding problems on strings and basic algorithms.
Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, focusing on your contributions.
Research salary benchmarks for the role to negotiate effectively.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and well-structured. I felt confident in the technical rounds due to thorough preparation. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing coding problems and being clear about your project details. The HR round is straightforward if you’re prepared with your expectations and reasoning.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Application Process: I was approached by the company for this role and interviewed before July 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Introduce yourself.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
What are your roles and responsibilities in the club/society that you’re part of?
What are your takeaways from the entire course?
What was your entrepreneurial idea for which your team received the recognition as mentioned in your resume?
Your Approach: I focused on highlighting my academic and extracurricular achievements, emphasizing leadership roles and teamwork. For the entrepreneurial idea, I explained the problem we addressed and the impact of our solution.
Outcome: I successfully cleared this round.
Round 2 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
What’s your preferred location?
Are you open to travel to the office?
Your Approach: I was honest about my location preference but also expressed flexibility and willingness to travel if required.
Outcome: I cleared this round as well.
Preparation Tips:
Be clear and concise while introducing yourself.
Prepare to discuss your achievements and roles in detail.
Reflect on your coursework and extracurricular activities to articulate key takeaways.
Practice answering questions about your resume, especially any unique projects or recognitions.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the HR team was very supportive. Being prepared to discuss my resume in detail helped me answer confidently. For future candidates, I’d recommend thoroughly reviewing your resume and practicing common HR questions to ensure clarity and confidence during the interview.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: [Location not specified]
Application Process: I was approached by the company for this role and interviewed in August 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: None explicitly mentioned, but the focus was on reviewing the resume.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-formatted and aligned, highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:
Questions Asked: “Be ready with what you have written on your Resume.”
Your Approach: Prepared to discuss every detail on my resume, including projects, roles, and skills.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-One Interview:
Questions Asked: “Be ready with what you have written on your resume.”
Your Approach: Reiterated and expanded on my resume points, ensuring clarity and confidence in my responses.
Outcome: Final outcome not specified, but the emphasis was on resume-based discussions.
Preparation Tips:
Thoroughly review and understand every detail on your resume.
Practice explaining your experiences and skills clearly and concisely.
Ensure your resume is well-structured and free of errors.
Conclusion:
The interview process was heavily focused on my resume, so being prepared to discuss it in depth was crucial. I recommend future candidates to polish their resumes and be ready to elaborate on every aspect of it confidently.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: Mumbai
Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in June 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was error-free and highlighted relevant experience in operations and business services.
Outcome: Cleared the round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
What is Third Party Process?
What are contracts in SAP SD?
Your Approach: Answered the questions based on my understanding of third-party logistics and SAP SD modules.
Outcome: Cleared the round.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Willing to relocate to Mumbai?
Your Approach: Confirmed my willingness to relocate and discussed my flexibility.
Outcome: Cleared the round.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on SAP SD concepts, especially contracts and third-party processes.
Ensure your resume is concise and free of errors.
Be prepared to discuss relocation if required.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. The technical round was the most challenging, but my preparation paid off. I would advise future candidates to focus on their resume and technical knowledge specific to the role.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: [Location not specified]
Application Process: [Application process details not provided]
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked:
How would you manage work-life balance in a high-delivery role?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Your Approach:
For the work-life balance question, I emphasized prioritization, time management, negotiation, and an innovative approach to ensure optimal use of working hours.
For the 5-year vision, I highlighted my aspiration to operate at a more experienced level, delivering high expectations in a growing organization where my talents can be leveraged.
Outcome: [Outcome not specified]
Preparation Tips:
Focus on articulating your approach to work-life balance and career growth clearly.
Be prepared to discuss skills like prioritization, time management, and negotiation, as they seem relevant to the role.
Conclusion:
The interview was a good opportunity to reflect on my career goals and how I manage high-pressure roles. While I felt confident in my answers, I could have provided more specific examples to strengthen my responses. Future candidates should prepare to discuss their long-term vision and problem-solving strategies in detail.
Position: Consulting-Operations and Business Services
Location: [Not specified]
Application Process: Applied via a recruitment consultant in July 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Working of Hashmap
Maven and CICD
Coding questions on strings
Coding questions on streams
Functional interfaces
HTTP methods
Your Approach: Focused on explaining the concepts clearly and providing practical examples where applicable. For coding questions, ensured to write clean and efficient code.
Outcome: Passed the round.
Round 2 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
Your Approach: Prepared to discuss my background, experiences, and how they align with the role.
Outcome: [Details not provided]
Round 3 - [Round Type Not Specified]:
Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
Your Approach: [Details not provided]
Outcome: [Details not provided]
Preparation Tips:
Be thorough with the concepts, especially OOPs.
Focus on practical applications of theoretical knowledge.
Conclusion:
The interview process was insightful, and the technical round was particularly challenging. Ensuring clarity in explanations and practical examples helped me perform well. Future candidates should focus on core concepts and their real-world applications.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Tell me something about yourself.
Your Approach: I kept my introduction concise, highlighting my relevant academic background, skills, and a brief mention of my interest in consulting. I also tied my strengths to the role requirements.
Outcome: Passed the round and moved forward in the process.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on crafting a clear and impactful self-introduction.
Brush up on key consulting skills like problem-solving, business strategy, and communication.
Research the company’s recent projects and align your answers to their business needs.
Conclusion:
The interview was a great learning experience. I realized the importance of being concise and relevant in my answers. For future candidates, I’d advise practicing your introduction thoroughly and being prepared to link your skills to the job role.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), United States
Application Process: I applied via campus placement at UCLA before March 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Online Prerecorded Interview:
Questions Asked:
Tell me about a time you worked in a team.
What is an analytical project you have worked on?
Your Approach: For the teamwork question, I highlighted a group project from my coursework where I collaborated with peers to achieve a common goal. For the analytical project, I discussed a data analysis task I completed, explaining the tools and methodologies I used.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-One Round:
Questions Asked:
Tell me about your classes and how they relate to the position.
Your Approach: I connected my coursework in business strategy and operations to the consulting role, emphasizing relevant skills like problem-solving and analytical thinking.
Outcome: Advanced to the final round.
Round 3 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: A case study about an online bank looking to expand its footprint.
Your Approach: I structured my response by analyzing the bank’s current position, identifying growth opportunities, and proposing a strategic plan with actionable steps.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Preparation Tips:
Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method.
Brush up on case study frameworks for consulting interviews.
Review your coursework and projects to align them with the job requirements.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was thorough but manageable. I felt well-prepared for the behavioral and case study rounds, but I could have practiced more case studies to refine my responses. My advice to future candidates is to focus on storytelling for behavioral questions and to practice structuring case studies clearly and concisely.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Explain key risks in the H2R (Hire to Retire) process.
List down controls in the change management process.
Your Approach: For the H2R question, I outlined risks like compliance issues, data security, and inefficiencies in onboarding. For the change management question, I listed controls such as approval workflows, documentation, and testing protocols.
Outcome: Provided clear and structured answers, which were well-received.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on thoroughly understanding the content mentioned in your resume, as most interview questions will be based on it.
Be prepared to discuss processes, risks, and controls in detail, especially for technical roles in consulting.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and focused on assessing practical knowledge. Ensuring my resume was well-prepared helped me clear the first round, while a strong grasp of the technical aspects allowed me to perform well in the second round. For future candidates, I recommend being clear and concise in your responses and having a deep understanding of the topics you mention in your resume.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Location: [Not specified]
Application Process: I applied through campus placement before April 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Can you tell me about the projects you have worked on?
Your Approach: I discussed the projects I had completed, focusing on my role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. I also highlighted how these projects aligned with the skills required for the role.
Outcome: I passed this round and moved forward in the process.
Preparation Tips:
Research the company and its consulting services thoroughly.
Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail, emphasizing problem-solving and teamwork.
Brush up on technical skills relevant to operations and business services.
Conclusion:
The interview was a great learning experience. I felt confident discussing my projects, but I could have prepared more specific examples of how my skills align with the role. My advice to future candidates is to practice articulating your experiences clearly and concisely.
Your Approach: Since the questions were straightforward, I focused on accuracy and time management.
Outcome: Cleared the round easily.
Round 2 - Case Study:
Questions Asked: Case study questions, similar to those in Zs case studies.
Your Approach: I prepared by reviewing common case study frameworks and practiced structuring my answers logically.
Outcome: The round went smoothly, and I felt confident about my responses.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on basic aptitude topics for the first round.
Practice case studies, especially those similar to Zs case studies, to get comfortable with the format.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was straightforward. The key was to stay calm and structured in my approach. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing case studies thoroughly and ensuring a strong grasp of basic aptitude concepts.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Technical questions based on IT Act.
Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly by revising key concepts of the IT Act and related regulations. Focused on understanding the practical implications of the Act in business scenarios.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on the IT Act and its applications in business operations.
Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms.
Review case studies or examples where the IT Act has been applied in consulting scenarios.
Conclusion:
The interview was a great learning experience. I realized the importance of being able to articulate technical knowledge clearly. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects of the IT Act to ace this round.
Position: Consulting - Operations and Business Services
Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Assignment Round:
Questions Asked:
Create a Power BI dashboard.
Work on Excel tasks.
Tableau and VBA-related tasks.
Your Approach:
Focused on creating a clean and interactive Power BI dashboard with relevant KPIs.
Used Excel for data analysis and visualization.
Demonstrated basic Tableau and VBA skills for automation.
Outcome: Passed this round successfully.
Round 2 - One-on-One Round:
Questions Asked:
“Name, place, animal, thing” (a quick-thinking exercise).
Your Approach:
Answered promptly and creatively, showcasing quick thinking and adaptability.
Outcome: Cleared the round and received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on Power BI, Excel, Tableau, and VBA skills.
Practice quick-thinking exercises to improve spontaneity.
Focus on creating clear and impactful visualizations for dashboards.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and well-structured. The assignment round tested technical skills, while the one-on-one round assessed quick thinking. Preparing thoroughly for technical tasks and staying calm during the interview helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing dashboard creation and quick-thinking exercises to ace the process.