How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an EY (Ernst & Young) Interview: (3 Proven Approaches for 2026)
Rishabh Jain
TL;DR
For an EY (Ernst & Young) interview, your "Tell me about yourself" answer should highlight building a better working world, teaming, integrity, and inclusive leadership. EY emphasizes purpose-driven work and exceptional teaming, so show your commitment to making a positive impact while delivering excellent client service and developing yourself and others.
Why "Tell Me About Yourself" Matters at EY
EY is one of the Big Four professional services firms, known for its purpose of "Building a better working world." When you answer this question, you're demonstrating whether you align with EY's values and culture of teaming, integrity, and inclusive leadership. They want people who are excellent at their craft and committed to creating long-term value for clients, people, and society.
Understanding behavioral interview questions is essential because EY interviewers assess your values, teaming abilities, and growth mindset from your opening statement.
What EY Interviewers Look For
| Quality | What It Means at EY | How to Demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Building Better | Creating long-term value and positive impact | "I developed a solution that not only saved costs but improved employee wellbeing..." |
| Exceptional Teaming | Collaborating effectively across boundaries | "I brought together specialists from 4 service lines to deliver an integrated solution..." |
| Integrity | Doing the right thing, especially when difficult | "I raised a concern about a practice that wasn't serving clients well..." |
| Inclusive Leadership | Valuing diverse perspectives and developing others | "I mentored 5 team members, 3 of whom were promoted within a year..." |
| Professional Excellence | Technical mastery and quality work | "I led complex audit engagements that received unqualified opinions and client praise..." |
3 Proven Approaches to Answer
👩🏻💼 Assurance Tone
Best for: Audit, assurance, and financial services roles
"Good morning, I'm [Your Name], a CPA with 6 years of experience in external audit. At [Previous Company], I managed audit engagements for Fortune 500 clients, building trusted relationships while ensuring the highest quality standards. What draws me to EY is your purpose of building a better working world—I've seen how reliable financial reporting enables businesses and markets to function, and I want to contribute to that mission at scale."
💡 Consulting/Advisory Tone
Best for: Strategy, transaction advisory, and consulting roles
"Hi, I'm [Your Name], a strategy consultant passionate about helping organizations transform for the better. At [Previous Company], I led a digital transformation that improved operational efficiency by 30% while creating better experiences for employees and customers. EY's emphasis on long-term value creation—not just short-term wins—aligns perfectly with how I think about client impact."
📊 Tax Tone
Best for: Tax advisory, compliance, and international tax roles
"Hello, I'm [Your Name], a tax professional specializing in international tax planning. At [Previous Company], I developed transfer pricing strategies that achieved $15M in tax efficiency while ensuring full compliance across 20 jurisdictions. EY's global tax network and commitment to helping clients navigate complexity responsibly is exactly where I want to build my career."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring EY's purpose – "Building a better working world" is central to EY's identity
- Focusing only on technical skills – EY values teaming and inclusive leadership equally
- Being too individual-focused – Show you elevate others, not just yourself
- Missing the long-term value angle – EY emphasizes sustainable impact over short-term wins
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my answer be at EY?
Aim for 60-90 seconds. Cover your background, a purpose-aligned achievement, and why EY's culture resonates with you.
Should I mention EY's purpose specifically?
You don't need to quote it, but demonstrating alignment with building long-term value and positive impact will resonate strongly.
How do I differentiate EY from other Big Four?
Emphasize EY's purpose-driven culture, commitment to teaming, and focus on building a better working world.
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