KPMG · Primly Community

KPMG behavioral interview questions and values, what I actually encountered

sam_recovering · 3 replies

I just came out of the behavioral rounds at KPMG (two of them: the HireVue async and then an in-person HM round) and I wanted to write down the actual questions while they're fresh. I prepped for this pretty carefully, so I have a sense of what was on-script vs. unexpected.

KPMG's published values are: integrity, excellence, courage, together, for better. They do not frame the interview explicitly as a values mapping exercise, but when you look at the questions afterward, you can see the shape.

Questions I actually got:

HireVue (async video): Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult news to a client or stakeholder Describe a project where you had to collaborate across teams that had different priorities Walk me through a time when you identified a problem before it became a crisis

HM behavioral round (live, 45 min): Tell me about a time you disagreed with a technical or strategic decision. How did you handle it? Give me an example of when you had to balance competing deadlines. What was your approach? Describe a situation where the scope of a project changed significantly mid-stream. How did you adapt? Why KPMG specifically? (This one hit harder than I expected, they weren't satisfied with generic 'big 4 culture' answers)

The 'why KPMG' question is worth taking seriously. I had done research on their tech modernization practice and mentioned a specific initiative. The HM's energy shifted noticeably when I got specific.

I also noticed they were paying attention to how I described clients and colleagues, not just outcomes. They're consulting, so the relationship and communication layer matters a lot.

One thing I didn't prep for: they asked what I find most energizing at work and what drains me. Be honest. I was honest about needing some solo deep work time and that didn't seem to hurt me.

3 replies

returner_ren

The 'what drains you' question is one I always freeze on. Thanks for the reminder that honesty actually plays better than pretending you love every type of work.

veteran_vance

The values framing is really similar to how the military structures leadership evaluations, they're not asking 'did you hit the metric' but 'how did you operate in the situation.' Good breakdown.

ae_andre

The 'why KPMG' being a real differentiator tracks. I'd never walk into a sales call without doing account research. Same principle applies.