Welcome back to our coverage of real interview questions asked by top accounting firms. If you haven’t checked out part one yet, you can do so here.

In the past we’ve gone over tricky, unusual, and downright tough interview questions, but navigating an interview at a Big 4 firm is another challenge altogether. Today, we’re going to kick off our giant-sized coverage of real questions Big 4 firms ask during job interviews, complete with how you should answer.

Job interviews are stressful enough, but when unexpected events occur, they can really throw you off your game. That’s right, even when you’ve memorized your resume from front to back and practiced dozens of behavioral interview questions, it’s still possible to be caught off guard by challenging obstacles you couldn’t anticipate.

Making a strong first impression is important in any interview. Dressing for interviews can set the tone for your potential employer’s view of you, influencing their perception before you even speak.

Job interviews can be stressful regardless of your level of experience, or whether you’re interviewing for a full-time job or an internship. In the past, we’ve gone over many tricky and unusual interview questions, but there’s always more ground to cover.

Welcome back to our three-part series on tough interview questions. Last time we went over a series of challenging questions designed to test your professional skills, as well as your personality and work style, so if you haven’t read part one you can do so here.

If you’re looking to challenge yourself to some of the toughest interview questions out there, look no further. Today we’re going to show you how to answer even more of the most challenging interview questions you can encounter during a job search.

Open interviews are becoming more commonplace in today’s fast-paced job market. Unlike traditional interview processes, open interviews allow companies to evaluate multiple candidates in one event, making it an efficient option for hiring positions with high demand or volume.

For job seekers, workplace culture can often be the deciding factor on whether they accept an offer from a company. You could get some information about a company’s workplace culture by checking out its website and social media pages, but it’s important to remember that just because a company is saying something online doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true.

When it comes to nailing a job interview, preparation and professionalism are key. But what happens when every candidate has prepared, dressed the part, and rehearsed their stories of teamwork and grit?

Landing a summer internship is a crucial step in building experience and setting the foundation for a successful career. However, with competition high, your resume needs to stand out.

Demonstrating leadership experience on your resume can set you apart from the competition, even without an extensive work history. Highly valued by employers, leadership skills indicate your ability to take initiative, motivate others, and drive results.

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, technical skills might get you noticed, but soft skills land the job. Employers in 2025 are prioritizing candidates who demonstrate adaptability, collaboration, and a host of other interpersonal strengths that align with ever-changing workplace dynamics.

Your resume is your first impression. It’s the handshake before the handshake, but if your resume is dull, generic, or overly complicated, hiring managers might glance over it and move on.

If you’re a student or recent grad, your resume is often the first impression you’ll make on potential employers. This means avoiding resume mistakes is essential for creating an application that stands out—and for landing that all-important initial interview.

Embellishing or outright lying on your resume might seem like a quick fix to appear more qualified, but it’s one of the riskiest moves you can make during your job search. Despite the temptation to stretch the truth, the potential consequences far outweigh the short-term gains.

It can be daunting to look for an internship or full-time job with limited work experience. The good news is a well-crafted resume can make all the difference, lessening your anxiety and increasing your chances of getting an interview.

Navigating employment gaps on your resume is crucial for making a strong impression during your job search. Employers value transparency and need to understand the steps you took during those gaps.

Selecting the right font for your resume might seem minor, but it can be pivotal in making a strong first impression. When recruiters review resumes, they look for clarity, professionalism, and ease of reading—qualities that the right typeface can significantly enhance.

Crafting a standout resume for 2025 involves more than listing qualifications. Resumes must adapt to meet the expectations of employers and advanced recruitment technologies.

We’ve been talking a bit about how ChatGPT can help you prepare for a job interview, tailor your resume and cover letter to a job description, and research potential employers, but did you know it can also help with professional networking? That’s right, ChatGPT can assist in drafting different types of emails and messages that can be used in networking, so with the right prompts it can be a very helpful tool.

Welcome back to our series on how you can use ChatGPT to help build a professional network. Last time we spoke about how to generate initial networking messages in which you’re emailing a new potential network connection, so if you haven’t done so you can check out that blog here.

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card, offering a snapshot of your professional identity. It's not just a place to list your work history; it's a powerful tool for networking and job hunting.

Throughout your career, it's vital that you build up and maintain a professional network. A solid network will afford you new opportunities, and you’ll be able to gain valuable insight into your career.

Your professional network can be relied upon for guidance, advice, support, or if you’re looking for a new job. Building a good network takes time and often requires you to step outside of your comfort zone and make the first move, which can be particularly challenging if you're not already familiar with the person you want to connect with.

Today we’re going to showcase some of the top organizations for Black professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The objective of these organizations is to provide a platform for innovation, collaboration, and the empowerment of Black professionals in the world of STEM.

When used effectively, social media can be a powerful tool for job search success, helping you to network, share ideas, represent yourself, and so much more. Here are five tips for leveraging social media to stand out in a crowded job market.

Women’s professional networks offer a range of benefits that contribute to the personal and professional development of women in various industries. Most typically, these organizations offer networking opportunities, mentorship programs, skill development workshops, and a platform for discussion and collaboration.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide highlighting the top Black professionals’ networks across various industries. These organizations provide invaluable resources, support, and networking opportunities for Black professionals, regardless of their age or skill level.

College is a great time to start building your professional network. Even if you’re a first or second-year student, having some network connections early on can help greatly when it comes time to start applying to internships later on.

For students and young professionals looking for a meaningful, future-proof career, clean energy is an industry worth considering. Clean energy isn’t just the future of sustainable power; it’s also a booming job market filled with exciting, well-paying careers.

Emotional intelligence is one of the most sought-after skills in today’s job market, but it’s not something you can list on your resume like other soft skills or hard skills. So, how exactly do you demonstrate emotional intelligence during a job search?

If you’ve ever been locked in a serious job search, you’ve probably come across Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems are now standard in many industries, and they’re used to filter out candidates before a human even sees their applications.

When job seekers picture their dream career, many imagine working for a big-name company like a Fortune 500 firm with thousands of employees, a sleek office, and global recognition. While large corporations offer prestige and stability, working for a small company comes with its own set of huge advantages—ones that can fast-track career growth, build versatile skills, and lead to greater job satisfaction.

The fintech industry is booming, with startups disrupting traditional financial services and attracting top talent; however, not all fintech companies are created equal—some thrive, while others fizzle out quickly due to poor leadership, lack of funds, or a variety of other issues. For job seekers, it’s crucial to assess whether a fintech startup is stable and offers opportunities for long-term career growth.

During a job search you’ll employ various tools such as a resume, cover letters, and perhaps a website or portfolio. Along with these, a well-crafted personal brand can help to set you apart from other candidates and position you as a thought leader in your industry.

If you’re currently employed but looking for better pay, more opportunities to advance your career, or perhaps a hybrid working schedule, you might find yourself seeking other avenues of employment. Once a potential employer decides they want to hire you, they’ll make an offer.

If you’re searching for a new role but the job market seems to be working against you, know that you’re not alone. According to Forbes, the average job search is taking professionals 22.6 weeks.

In recent years, largely due to the rapid advancements in generative AI, employers have been increasingly prioritizing skills over formal education. This shift has given rise to something called new collar jobs, positions that emphasize skills, certifications, and hands-on experience.

The winter break can feel like a much-needed pause from the hectic pace of academic life, but if you’re still looking for an internship next summer or a full-time role upon graduation, it’s an opportunity to gain momentum while others might be slowing down. That’s right, the holidays don’t mean your career goals should hibernate—instead, you can turn this break into a productive period that propels your job search forward.

If you’re a grad student, you’re probably busy juggling work, classes, projects, internship applications, and much more. This means you likely have little time left to read (outside of your required reading).

In recent years, earning an MBA from a top-tier business school like Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, or NYU Stern was considered a golden ticket to landing a high-paying job at a prestigious firm; however, a new trend is shaking up the job market—employers are becoming increasingly selective, and hiring rates are on the decline for MBA graduates from these elite institutions. Economic uncertainty, evolving industry demands, and a growing preference for specialized skill sets over traditional credentials are forcing many MBA graduates to rethink their job search strategies.

Being a student athlete means more than excelling in sports—it’s a testament to discipline, teamwork, time management, and resilience. These qualities make student athletes uniquely prepared to thrive in professional environments.

Senior year can feel like a whirlwind. One minute you’re juggling finals and capstone projects, and the next, someone’s asking you where you see yourself in five years.

If you’re a student, you already know that college is notorious for sleepless nights. Whether it’s cramming for an exam, finishing a research paper, or tackling last-minute assignments, students often find themselves pushing their limits and pulling all-nighters.

With this year’s H-1B visa registration season quickly approaching—the lottery registration window opens on March 6, 2024—we spoke with international student career expert Marcelo Barros about what international students should be doing now to get hired in 2024, what to expect from this year’s H-1B lottery, and what he learned during the 2023 visa season. Below is an edited version of our conversation.

When starting college, choosing the path that’s right for you takes a great deal of thought and consideration. Particularly ambitious students may decide to pursue a double major or a dual degree, each of which comes with their own unique set of challenges.

Although short-term contract and freelance work isn’t for everyone, many people rely on the “gig economy” for their livelihoods. Here, we take a close look at the gig economy, focusing on how it can benefit students, how to find gig work, and how to overcome common challenges associated with freelance and contract work.

Deciding to change your major in college is a significant decision that can have a dramatic impact on your academic journey and future career path. As with most big decisions this can be daunting, but a well-informed decision can lead to greater satisfaction and future success.

We’ve been covering the unfolding story of the use of artificial intelligence in education, as well as in various industries, so if you want to catch up you should check out our two-part entry on its effects on education. Today, we’re going to be talking about the use of AI programs such as ChatGPT in college and grad school admissions essays, and why you should seriously consider holding off on jumping on that bandwagon.

Internships are one of the most valuable stepping stones between college and your career. They give you real-world experience, industry exposure, and in some cases, a shot at a full-time offer.

We’re thrilled today to share our 2025 Internship Rankings! The Internship Rankings highlight the top programs in more than 30 categories.

Last night, the LA Dodgers clinched their second World Series Championship in five years, beating the New York Yankees four games to one in the best of seven series. Although winning the World Series certainly takes the talent of players like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, it also takes an entire organization of off-the-diamond employees, including coaches and scouts as well as PR executives and communications professionals.

An internship is a critical step for students who want to enter the professional world. Internships provide hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and might lead to full-time job offers, but what happens if you aren’t able to secure an internship?

Lenovo is a global technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures a wide range of products, including laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices. If you’ve got a love for all things tech and you’re gearing up for an internship, you might be interested in taking a look at Lenovo’s summer internship program, which was recently featured in Vault’s Latest Internship Rankings.

Getting a great internship without prior experience can be challenging, but it is entirely possible with the right approach. Here are five key strategies to help you land an internship if you have little to no work experience.

[UPDATED July 24, 2024] The new school year is right around the corner, and no matter which year of college you’re entering, it’s time to start looking for an internship. Depending on your field of interest, the application process will vary, so we went ahead and put together a list of internship deadlines and requirements by industry.

[UPDATED April 7, 2025] When looking for an internship, it’s important to find ways to distinguish yourself from all the other applicants. One way to do this is to include a cover letter with your resume.

If you’re a student or a recent graduate and you’re ready to take on an internship in your field, you’ll want to keep your options open. In today’s professional world, there are many opportunities for hybrid or remote work, which of course includes internships.

Each year, Vault surveys thousands of current and former interns at more than 100 internship programs to create our annual Internship Rankings. Last year, we asked 12,000 interns to rate their programs in a variety of areas, including quality of projects, real-life experience, networking opportunities, training and mentoring, and more.

Tech sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and virtual reality are growing at lightning speed, offering tons of opportunities for career changers. So, whether you’re feeling stuck in your current job or curious about what’s out there, the tech sector is worth exploring.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant sci-fi dream or a futuristic concept; it’s here, and in the coming years, it will make its way into virtually every industry. While some careers will thrive with AI integration, others may face significant challenges or even obsolescence.

If you’re a student or young professional exploring a career in fintech, you’ve probably come across terms like Bitcoin, blockchain, stablecoins, and DeFi. Cryptocurrency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a fundamental shift in how financial systems operate, and fintech companies are at the center of this revolution.

Cybersecurity careers are exciting, challenging, constantly evolving—and booming. Today, small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government agencies are all in need of cybersecurity professionals.

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful business or organization. For professionals with a knack for conveying messages clearly and persuasively, the communications field offers a plethora of high-paying career opportunities.

Each year on November 8th, we celebrate National STEM/STEAM Day. This day highlights the importance of integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with arts in education.

In the past we’ve talked about how to put together an effective engineering resume, but no job application is complete without a solid cover letter. For engineers, it’s important to include your technical skills and experience early on in your cover letter, while also demonstrating confidence and your understanding of the company’s needs.

Now that artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of nearly every industry, it's imperative for students preparing to enter the workforce to equip themselves with certain AI skills. This isn't just about staying relevant; it's about being a proactive part of the revolution that’s setting new benchmarks in efficiency, innovation, and problem-solving.

These days, just about everyone is taking part in the AI craze, whether it’s companies looking to modernize their practices, job seekers hoping to get in on the action, or keyboard jockeys creating artwork and music. A number of new jobs have been created as a result of the continued use of AI, but none are gaining as much attention as what is now being called a “prompt engineer.

The age of artificial intelligence is here, and AI is quickly changing the way we work, learn, and live. Below, we look at some of the career paths currently in high demand in the age of AI.