I've been invited to first round interviews with a couple of the Big 4... In doing my research, I've read some real horror stories about difficult cases or hugely left field questions (not just with the Big 4).I'd love to hear about people's experiences, if anything for a laugh! Please, share away!

many years ago I turned up to an interview only to find out that the guy interviewing me was about 2 years younger than me and didn't really have any authority to be carrying out interviews let alone making a hiring decision

As for the name "Big 4" perhaps we should call them the "Big 5 minus the one that went bankrupt because of Enron" as a reminder in these troubled times of how even giant firms are not immortal and need to keep working hard every day

Kilburn,Relax, take a deep breath and ALWAYS remember that left field questions are about trying to work out how you come to the answer, rather than just the answer.For example, a colleague was asked how many hairs are on a dog. He admitted not answering it all well. I reviewed it with him:- Don't try and answer straight away. Have a quick think on next steps! - Get your scope tight straight away. Agree a specific size of dog and its age etc. Or whether it is for the "average of all dogs". Something that you saw on TV normally works and makes it easier to visualise while trying to answer- Work out how much hair on an inch of dog. Then multiply by how many inches of dog you think there is. - Done.They want to see you breaking down the question and getting to an answer. Most of the time, there is no correct answer.No doubt Coolio or BEP will have a quicker or easier way to answer the doggie question

probably the easiest way to find the answer is to google it or to get one of the trainees on the case

1) Find dog2) Shave all hair off dog3) Weigh dog hair as a whole4) Select a random sample of hairs and weigh using a microbalance5) Divide total mass of hair by average mass of 1 hair6) Repeat with other dogs until you get a representative sampleInsert RSPCA joke here.EC

Try this - http://bit.ly/14y4SuDI'd like to make up some more interview questions.Here's one I made up:How many times did The Fonz ever say "Ehhhhh"?

Recently gave an interview for certain consultancy..and was surprised by HR asking whether was I proud of my business development experience..guess winning new work is not important!

I really don't want to give away who I am here, hence hopefully noone I told this story to will be here:When going for various interviews / grad schemes towards the end of my degree many yonks ago, it was always 1-2 day assessment days etc.There was one where to get us "chillaxed", we were all asked to stand on a big square they had drawn on the floor. We were then told to dance when they put the music on... we then had to dance around the square doing intros to each other and the interviewers...Yes, it is very difficult to take a Director and co seriously while they boogie to cheesy 80s at 0930am in the morning.

Was it a big square or were you very small?

I disagree. A better, more profitable method is outlined below.1) Shave dog.2) Weigh bald dog.3) Glue on shaved hairs.4) Weigh hairy dog.5) Use formula: HD - (G + BD) = Hs**where HD = Hairy Dog; G = Full Glue Bottle - Half Empty Glue Bottle; BD = Bald Dog; Hs = Hairs.AND you can bill for:1) Shaving the dog2) Plasters (dog's claws are sharp)3) Glue (per full bottle)4) Gluing the hairs back on

Anon MCs, I'd love to know what was going through the mind of whichever HR bod thought that one up!I mean, forget your degree and all that education you did, and the grades you got. What will get you the job? Some HR floozy's opinion of how well you do john travlota moves (in the manner of a proper bar-scene douchebag, no doubt).

BEP,Unfortunately you have got the music wrong - don't want to give too much away but think more the singer whose death is being blamed on his doctor and his UK tour had to be cancelled... he wore red leather for a classic music video and married (albeit briefly) the daughter of a VERY famous 60s American musician...shlobadov,The square was medium size considering the number of candidates for day 1 of assessment centre. Ironically, no doubt they were trying to "think outside the box"!!!As to everyone's thoughts on dog answers, tut tut none of them were simpler or easier, just funnier.

you've gotta be kidding us, you mean they gave you points dependent on how well you could do a moonwalk and grab your groin??Well lets all just tear up those PhD certificates and start practicing tipping our hats forward and standing on tip toes whilst grabbing one's crotch

BEP,I got offered the job, but decided against it and took on another offer.Maybe I got offered the role because "grabbing my groin" (as you put it) in my case it needed use of both hands and even then there was overspill!?!As to my moonwalk, well lets just say that as I slid past the ladies I had to hold on to one of them who fainted as I went past...Anyway, back to reality, I agree with you - there's thinking out of the box and then there's just mental. Different does not always mean better. Change does not always mean progress. But who am I to argue, I got a role if I wanted it.

Surely its:1) Find dead dogThat must be RSPCA safe

Surely its:1) Find dead dogThat must be RSPCA safe

Hey Anon MCs, I found a video of you at that interview you did! You're the guy in the grey/blue suit, right?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyW1FZxHC-Y

[quote]1) Find dead dog[/quote]Aboslutely, it was dead when we found it, just ask my analyst!*snigger*EC

Was it the analyst's lunch?In my day we used to buy sandwiches from a café.Not much difference though, I guess.