Landing an internship at KPMG, especially within their advisory division, is a fantastic opportunity to kickstart your career. But, like any competitive role, nailing the interview is crucial. This guide will walk you through what to expect and how to prepare, ensuring you stand out from the crowd. Let’s dive in, guys!

Understanding the KPMG Advisory Internship

Before even thinking about interview questions, let’s get a handle on what a KPMG advisory internship actually entails. The advisory arm of KPMG focuses on helping clients improve their performance, manage risk, and operate more effectively. As an intern, you might find yourself involved in a variety of projects across different industries. This could include anything from analyzing financial data and developing strategic recommendations to assisting with risk management assessments and implementing new technologies. The key here is understanding that advisory is all about problem-solving and providing solutions. You’re not just crunching numbers; you’re helping businesses navigate complex challenges. The internship is designed to give you a real-world experience of what it’s like to be a consultant.

Think of it as a crash course in the consulting world, where you'll gain invaluable skills in critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. Because KPMG is a global firm, you'll also be exposed to diverse perspectives and learn how to work effectively with people from different backgrounds. This internship is not just about getting coffee and making copies (though some administrative tasks are inevitable). It's about actively contributing to projects, learning from experienced professionals, and developing a solid foundation for your future career. The kind of projects you might work on will depend on the specific area of advisory you're placed in, such as management consulting, risk consulting, or financial advisory. Each area has its own unique focus and requires different skill sets. So, do your research and figure out which area aligns best with your interests and strengths. This will not only help you during the interview process but also ensure that you're placed in a role where you can thrive and make the most of your internship experience. Remember, the more you understand about the KPMG Advisory Internship, the better prepared you'll be to articulate your interest and demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Common Interview Questions and How to Tackle Them

Alright, let's get to the meat of the matter: the interview questions. While every interview is unique, there are some common questions you can almost guarantee will come up. Here's a breakdown and some tips on how to answer them effectively:

1. "Tell me about yourself."

This is your elevator pitch. Don't just recite your resume! Focus on the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the advisory role. Highlight your problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and teamwork experience. Mention your academic background, but also talk about extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or any other experiences that demonstrate your potential.

For instance, you could say something like, "I'm a highly motivated student with a strong academic background in finance and a passion for problem-solving. During my time as treasurer of the university's finance club, I was responsible for managing the club's budget and developing financial strategies. I successfully implemented a new budgeting system that improved the club's financial performance by 15%. I'm also a strong team player and have experience working in diverse teams on various projects. I'm eager to learn and contribute to KPMG's advisory team."

2. "Why KPMG?"

This question isn't just about saying you want a job. They want to know why KPMG specifically attracts you. Research KPMG's values, recent projects, and company culture. What resonates with you? Do they have a particular focus on innovation or a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion? Mention specific things that impress you about KPMG and how they align with your own values and career aspirations. Don't just say, "Because it's a big company."

Instead, try something like, "I'm drawn to KPMG because of its commitment to innovation and its focus on helping clients navigate complex challenges. I was particularly impressed by KPMG's recent work on [mention a specific project]. I also admire KPMG's strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, which aligns with my own values. I believe that KPMG's culture of collaboration and continuous learning would provide me with the ideal environment to grow and develop my skills."

3. "Why advisory?"

This is your chance to demonstrate that you understand what advisory is all about and that you're genuinely interested in this type of work. Don't just say you like helping people. Explain why you're drawn to the problem-solving aspect of advisory, the opportunity to work with diverse clients, and the constant learning and development.

You could say, "I'm passionate about advisory because it allows me to apply my analytical skills and problem-solving abilities to help businesses improve their performance and achieve their goals. I'm particularly interested in [mention a specific area of advisory, such as management consulting or risk consulting] because [explain why]. I enjoy the challenge of working with diverse clients and learning about different industries. I also appreciate the constant learning and development opportunities that advisory provides."

4. "Describe a time you overcame a challenge."

This is a behavioral question, and the STAR method is your best friend here. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Briefly describe the situation, outline the task you needed to accomplish, explain the actions you took, and highlight the positive results you achieved. Choose a challenge that showcases your problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to learn from mistakes. Make sure the challenge is relevant to the skills required for an advisory role.

For example, "In my role as project manager for a university fundraising campaign (Situation), we faced a significant challenge in reaching our fundraising goal due to a lack of engagement from students (Task). To address this, I implemented a new marketing strategy that utilized social media and targeted messaging to reach different student groups (Action). As a result, we saw a significant increase in student engagement and exceeded our fundraising goal by 20% (Result)."

5. "Tell me about a time you worked in a team."

Advisory is a team-oriented environment, so they want to see that you can collaborate effectively with others. Use the STAR method again, focusing on your role within the team, how you contributed to the team's success, and how you handled any conflicts or disagreements. Highlight your communication skills, your ability to compromise, and your willingness to support your teammates.

For example, "During a group project in my business ethics class (Situation), our team had to develop a comprehensive ethical framework for a hypothetical company (Task). I took on the responsibility of researching different ethical theories and presenting them to the team (Action). I also facilitated discussions and helped the team reach a consensus on the key principles of our framework. As a result, we delivered a high-quality presentation and received an excellent grade (Result)."

6. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

Be honest, but strategic. Choose strengths that are relevant to the advisory role, such as analytical skills, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. For weaknesses, don't pick something that's critical to the job. Instead, choose a genuine weakness that you're actively working to improve. For example, you could say you're sometimes too detail-oriented or that you're working on improving your public speaking skills.

For instance, "One of my strengths is my ability to analyze complex data and identify key insights. I'm also a strong communicator and can effectively present my findings to others. One area I'm working on improving is my ability to delegate tasks. I sometimes tend to take on too much myself, but I'm learning to trust my team members and delegate responsibilities more effectively."

7. "Do you have any questions for us?"

Always have questions prepared! This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company. Ask about the specific projects you might be working on, the training and development opportunities available to interns, or the company's culture. Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered by doing a quick Google search. Prepare at least three questions.

Some good questions to ask include: "What are the biggest challenges facing KPMG's clients in the current market?", "What are the key skills and qualities you look for in a successful advisory intern?", and "What opportunities are there for interns to get involved in different areas of advisory?".

Technical Questions: Be Prepared to Analyze

Depending on the specific area of advisory you're interviewing for, you might face some technical questions. These questions are designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts and your ability to apply them to real-world scenarios. For example, if you're interviewing for a role in financial advisory, you might be asked about financial statement analysis, valuation techniques, or investment strategies. If you're interviewing for a role in risk consulting, you might be asked about risk management frameworks, internal controls, or regulatory compliance.

The best way to prepare for technical questions is to review your coursework, research industry trends, and practice solving case studies. Be prepared to explain your thought process and justify your answers. Even if you don't know the answer to a question, try to articulate your reasoning and demonstrate your understanding of the underlying concepts. The interviewers are not necessarily looking for the right answer, but they want to see how you approach problems and think critically. Also, be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant software and tools. For example, if you're interviewing for a role that involves data analysis, you should be familiar with tools like Excel, SQL, and Python.

Beyond the Questions: Soft Skills Matter

It's not just about acing the technical questions. KPMG is also looking for candidates with strong soft skills. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. Throughout the interview, make sure you demonstrate these skills by actively listening, asking clarifying questions, and articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be enthusiastic, engaging, and show genuine interest in the role and the company.

Remember, the interview is a two-way street. It's not just about them evaluating you, but also about you evaluating them. Use the opportunity to learn more about the company and the role and to determine if it's the right fit for you. Also, be professional and respectful throughout the interview process. Dress appropriately, arrive on time, and send a thank-you note after the interview. These small gestures can make a big difference and show that you're serious about the opportunity. Maintaining eye contact, having a firm handshake (if in-person), and displaying a positive attitude can significantly impact the interviewer's perception of you. Body language speaks volumes, so be mindful of your posture and gestures. Show that you are confident, engaged, and genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Final Tips for Success

• Research, research, research: Know KPMG's values, recent projects, and the specifics of the advisory division.
• Practice the STAR method: This will help you structure your answers to behavioral questions effectively.
• Prepare thoughtful questions: Show that you're engaged and curious.
• Be yourself: Authenticity goes a long way.
• Follow up: Send a thank-you note after the interview to reiterate your interest.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll be well on your way to acing your KPMG advisory intern interview. Good luck, you got this!