Careers at Accenture
Founded in 1989, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) is a business and technology consultancy offering services to companies across a wide range of industries.
The Fortune 500 company has headquarters in Dublin and regularly ranks as one of the best companies in the world to work for. Accenture has over 505,000 employees working across 52 countries — making it a truly multinational company with undeniable reach.
As you might expect, Accenture hires only the best talent and as a result, the job application process is multifaceted and competitive. Preparing yourself for what to expect is really important if you want to give yourself the best possible chance of getting a role at Accenture.
Accenture Application Process
The Accenture hiring process starts with an online application form. As well as uploading your CV, you'll be asked a few standard questions.
If a member of the recruitment team thinks you may be suitable for the role you've applied for, or a different role, they'll get in contact to set up the rest of the process.
If the role you're applying for requires assessment, you'll be given information as to which assessments you need to complete, and how.
Next, you'll be required to take part in a digital interview to give Accenture a better understanding of your experience, qualifications and why you want to work there.
The results of your interview and assessment will be assessed in line with the requirements of the role and whether Accenture believes you to be a good fit for the company.
The final stage of the process is an assessment center, which involves a series of online tests, a group work exercise, and an interview with a senior leader from the area of the business you've applied to. The final interview is a good time for you to ask questions and find out as much about the role and the company as you can.
Accenture will let you know as soon as possible whether you got the job, and if you didn't they'll provide you with constructive feedback to help you with your next application.
Accenture Online Application
All of the roles available at Accenture are posted and regularly updated, on the Accenture website. Accenture recommends you focus on the roles that match your skills, experience, and passions, rather than applying for as many roles as you can.
You'll need to submit your CV, and you'll also be required to answer a few standard competency questions that help the Accenture recruitment team get to know you better.
If you want to give yourself the best possible chance of success at this early stage, follow Accenture's four key rules:
- Make sure you tailor your CV so it's relevant to the role you're applying to.
- Highlight work experience as it's really valued at Accenture.
- Keep your CV simple. Avoid fussy logos and fonts.
- Proofread your CV to ensure it's mistake-free before you send it off.
Once you've kick-started the process by submitting your application, Accenture's recruitment team will see how well your skills and experience match the role you're applying for, as well as any of the other jobs currently on offer at the company.
Don't be disheartened if you don't hear back straight away. Often, it can be a case of timing, so it's worth regularly revisiting the website to see if any new roles have been listed that might better suit your experience.
Accenture Immersive Online Assessment
If your CV impresses, you'll be asked to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process, which could involve any of the following:
Accenture job simulation test
The job simulation consists of two different tests — a situational judgement test and a work personality questionnaire.
The situational judgement test is a category of psychometric test that presents you with common workplace challenges to get a better understanding of what type of personality you have, and how you're likely to work as part of the wider team you're being considered for.
You might be asked how you'd respond to a client complaint, how you'd prioritise a series of tasks, or how you'd communicate something important to your colleagues.
The test is multiple-choice, and there are no 'right or wrong' answers, but there are answers that fit better with what the company is looking for. It's important to be truthful, but it doesn't hurt to research into the kind of applicant Accenture is looking for.
This will be followed by the work personality questionnaire, which seeks to better understand your preferences in the workplace. Again, there are no 'right or wrong' answers, but it's important to bear in mind Accenture's six core values in your answer: Stewardship, Client Value Creation, One Global Network, Best People, Respect for the Individual and Integrity.
Accenture numerical reasoning test
The numerical reasoning test sits at around GCSE level maths, and requires you to showcase your ability to work with general mathematical principles such as fractions and ratios, as well as graph and data interpretation.
What makes this test challenging is the time limit. You'll have less than a minute to answer each question. This is your chance to showcase your numerical ability skills, so brushing up on your mathematical skills beforehand is really important.
Accenture logical reasoning test
Logical reasoning tests are designed to assess your problem-solving skills.
You'll be asked to look at a series of different diagrams and images and work out how they differ in terms of the movement, rotation, colour or size of the shapes, or which item is likely to come next in a logical sequence.
Again, the time limit on the test is what really makes this hard, so it's important to practice logical reasoning tests so you're prepared.
Accenture communication assessment test
A communication assessment test evaluates a candidate's ability to communicate. This test is split into six different sections, each one designed to measure your overall communication skills.
- Reading - you'll need to read out the sentences in front of you.
- Listening - repeating phrases that are read out to you.
- Q&A - replying to simple questions with one or two-word answers.
- Jumbled sentences - correcting sentences that are jumbled up.
- Retelling a story - listening and then retelling a story to show you can remember key information.
- Speaking - speaking on topics for a minute or two (no prior knowledge of the topic will be needed).
The test will be delivered to you by a pre-recorded speaker. Try and remain calm and listen really carefully to any instructions you're given before answering.
You can sharpen your communication skills, and familiarize yourself with these types of exercises, by practicing communication asssessment tests.
Accenture Video Interview
If you successfully complete the aptitude tests, you'll be invited to a digital interview, conducted on a platform called HireVue.
After each question asked in the interview, you'll be given time to record your answer.
As well as the answers themselves, HireVue takes into account your tone of voice and body language, so it's really important to practice good interview techniques such as a confident posture and relaxed, natural facial expressions. Trying this out in front of a mirror is a good start.
The actual questions themselves are competency-based, which means it's important that you can demonstrate real examples of when you showed a particular skill or demonstrated the core values that underpin Accenture's work.
You're often asked to start by telling the interviewer about yourself (which means yourself in terms of your professional life). Other common questions range from 'what are your reasons for wanting to join Accenture?' to 'Tell me about a situation when you had to show integrity.'
It's important to prepare for the interview as best you can by reviewing your CV, practising answers to possible interview questions, and listing key examples of where you showed certain qualities, and revisiting Accenture's core values and key competencies.
Accenture Interviews
Depending on the role you've applied for you may participate in a number of different interviews throughout the selection process.
This includes a video interview, skills interview, behavioral interview and a range of task based interviews.
Accenture Skills Interview
The Accenture skills interview is an interview format that focuses on assessing a candidate's technical abilities and experience. This interview may include questions about the candidate's past projects, technical skills, and industry knowledge. The interviewer may also ask the candidate to provide examples of how they have solved complex problems or implemented new processes.
The purpose of the skills interview is to determine if the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to perform successfully in the role. Candidates should prepare to discuss their technical skills and experience in detail.
Accenture Case Study Interview
The Accenture case study interview is an interview format that presents candidates with a business problem or scenario and asks them to provide a solution.
There are three types of cases:
The "Great Unknown" - Provides very little details, candidates must probe for more information, it requires structuring with a framework.
The "Parade of Facts": Provides plenty of information, with some unnecessary facts, candidates are required to distill key issues.
The "Back of the Envelope" - a case which provides less information but asks a question to test a candidates analytical skills
The purpose of the case study interview is to assess a candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to communicate effectively and work well in a team. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their ability to think creatively and provide logical solutions to complex problems.
Some accenture case interview resources can be found below:
Accenture Fit/PEI Interview
The Accenture Fit/PEI (Personal Experience Interview) is a behavioral interview that assesses a candidate's fit with the company culture, values, and work style. During this interview, the interviewer will ask questions about the candidate's past experiences and achievements, as well as their personal interests and career goals.
To prepare for the Accenture Fit/PEI interview, candidates should research the company culture and values and think about how their own experiences align with them. They should also practice answering behavioral interview questions using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, which involves describing a specific situation, explaining the task or challenge involved, detailing the action taken, and sharing the result or outcome achieved.
Examples of questions that may be asked during an Accenture Fit/PEI interview include:
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult colleague or team member. How did you handle the situation?
- Can you describe a project you worked on that required you to collaborate with people from different backgrounds or cultures?
- How do you handle competing priorities or tight deadlines?
- What are your long-term career goals, and how do you see yourself fitting into the Accenture culture and work environment?
Overall, the Accenture Fit/PEI interview is an opportunity for candidates to showcase their soft skills and demonstrate why they are a good fit for the company. Candidates should be prepared to give specific examples from their past experiences and explain how they can bring value to the team at Accenture.
Accenture Technical Interview
The Accenture Technical Interview is an assessment of a candidate's technical skills and knowledge related to the specific role they are applying for. This interview is typically conducted by a subject matter expert or a senior member of the team, and may involve a mix of technical questions, problem-solving exercises, and scenario-based assessments.
The goal of the Accenture Technical Interview is to determine a candidate's technical proficiency and expertise, as well as their ability to apply that knowledge to real-world business problems. Depending on the role, the interviewer may assess a candidate's knowledge of programming languages, software development methodologies, cloud computing, data analysis, machine learning, and other technical topics.
It may include both behavioral and technical questions, and candidates may be asked to complete coding exercises or solve technical problems on a whiteboard or computer. The interviewer may also ask follow-up questions to further explore the candidate's technical knowledge and expertise.
Accenture Assessment Centre
The final stage of the process is the Accenture assessment centre, which takes place at an Accenture office. You'll be invited alongside other candidates who are being considered for a role at Accenture.
Here's what to expect at an Accenture assessment center:
- Welcome and Introduction: Upon arrival, candidates will typically be greeted by an Accenture representative and provided with an overview of the assessment center process.
- Assessments: Candidates may be required to take a series of assessments, such as numerical and verbal reasoning tests, personality assessments, and situational judgment tests.
- Group Exercises: Candidates may participate in group exercises such as case studies, group discussions, or role-playing exercises, to demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively and solve problems.
- In-Tray & Team Activities: Candidates may also be required to complete an in-tray exercise.
- Interviews: Candidates may participate in one or more interviews with Accenture recruiters or senior staff members, including competency-based interviews, case interviews, technical interviews, and/or leadership interviews.
- Networking: Candidates may also have opportunities to network with current Accenture employees and learn more about the company culture and values.
Accenture In-tray exercise
The Accenture In-Tray Exercise is a type of assessment center task that is designed to assess a candidate's ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize their workload, and demonstrate effective time management skills. During the exercise, candidates are presented with a variety of documents and tasks, such as emails, memos, reports, and other materials, which they must review and prioritize based on their level of importance and urgency.
The In-Tray Exercise typically lasts for around an hour, and candidates are required to work through the materials provided, make decisions about how to handle each task, and provide written responses outlining their proposed solutions or recommendations. The exercise assesses a range of competencies, including problem-solving, analytical thinking, attention to detail, and communication skills.
To perform well in the Accenture In-Tray Exercise, candidates should be familiar with the company's values, culture, and business practices, as well as the specific requirements of the role they are applying for. They should be able to work well under pressure and manage their time effectively, while also demonstrating strong analytical and decision-making skills.
