What to expect from PwC partner round in Real Estate Strategy role?

Hello,

The partner round is not much different from the previous one, most of the times it follows the same structure. There are anyway some small but signifcant differences:

• Special focus on Fit Interview, that is gonna be probably longer and more intensive
• Communication and personal fit will be the crucial part of your interview 
• Less structured and complex cases, sometimes stated with a simple question without additional information (e.g. would you buy a Chihuahua or a St. Bernard?)
• Brainstorming session about potential innovative solutions for the case or even for real life events particularly popular in the last period (e.g. coronavirus)

Best,
Luca

Hello!

It´s similar in content to the previous ones, just with less structure, since the interviewer is very experienced and doesn´t necesarely follow a guideline. 

Furthermore, FIT will be emphasized. 

Cheers, 

Clara

Hello there,

Typically there are 2 elements of the case:

• Technical case interview
• FIT interview

Partner round will usually consist more of the later (FIT), do prepare stories revolving around leadership experiences, conflict management, and motivation.

Technical part will still be crucial as this is a specific industry focused role, hence sharpening your technical case skills around real estate topics would be advisable.

Hope it helps.

Kind regards,
Nathan

Hi Anonymous,

the structure of the rounds is the same (fit + case+ your questions); however there is more emphasis on communication and fit.

Specifically, the main differences you will find in a final round with partners is that at that stage they:

1. spend more time on fit questions and your alignment with the company
2. check more closely your communication (eg how you react to challenging questions)
3. may not have a “proper” structured case to present – during one of my MBB finals I had one interview which was made by two market sizing questions and a brainteaser, without any business case. That's because during the final they know you can structure and crack a case (you passed 1 or 2 rounds already) and are more interested in your logic, personality and fit with the company

So in order to prepare I would concentrate on:

• Review in detail your fit stories – they will matter more than in the first round. In some finals I had almost exclusively behavioral questions
• Work on your communication (reaction under pressure, how to gain time when you do not have a structure ready, connect with the interviewer, etc). This is something you can do almost exclusively in interviews with peers.
• Prepare cases as you did for the first round. More market sizing practice may be useful to think outside the box if you get unusual questions.

In case you need help with unusual cases please feel free to PM me, I do a specific session on them (eg How would you estimate the effect of the Coronavirus on the economy in China)?

Best,

Francesco