Practice Interview Questions: BDO People & Culture Internships (HR, Psychology or Business Admin Graduates)

Purpose, Motivation & Company Insight

These questions assess career motivation, alignment with People & Culture, and understanding of the organisation.

• What attracted you to a People & Culture internship rather than another business function?
• When researching BDO, what did you learn about the firm and its approach to people and culture?
• Why do you think people management is important in a professional services environment?
• What are you hoping to gain personally and professionally from the BDO YES Internship Programme?
• How do you see yourself contributing as an intern within a team-focused organisation?

Academic Foundation & Field Relevance

These questions assess your understanding of your qualification and how well you can apply theory in practice.

• How does your qualification prepare you for a role in People & Culture?
• What concepts from HR, Industrial Psychology, or Business Administration do you think are most relevant to this internship?
• How do people-related policies support performance and fairness in organisations?
• What role does employee wellbeing play in organisational success?
• How can business administration or HR processes support effective decision-making?

Behaviour at Work & Interpersonal Skills

These questions assess communication, teamwork, professionalism, and self-awareness.

• Tell us about a time you worked with others to achieve a shared goal.
• Describe a situation where you had to communicate clearly with different types of people.
• Give an example of when you had to manage your time effectively.
• Tell us about a time you received feedback and how you responded to it.
• Describe a situation where confidentiality or trust was important.

Structuring Strong Interview Responses (STAR Method)

This section assesses your ability to reflect on experiences and communicate them clearly and logically.

STAR Explained:

1. Situation: Describe the context
2. Task: Explain your responsibility
3. Action: Describe what you did
4. Result: Share the outcome and what you learned

Sample Graduate Answer:

1. Situation: During my studies, we completed a group project on workplace motivation.
2. Task: I was responsible for coordinating research and compiling the final report.
3. Action: I allocated tasks, followed up with team members, and ensured deadlines were met.
4. Result: The project was successful, and I developed strong teamwork and organisational skills.

Using Academic and Informal Experience Effectively

This section assesses how well you can translate non-work experience into relevant workplace skills.

BDO recognises that many graduates may not yet have formal work experience. You can use examples from:

• University or college assignments
• Group projects or presentations
• Student leadership or societies
• Volunteer or community activities
• Part-time, casual, or administrative work

Focus on skills such as communication, collaboration, organisation, empathy, and professionalism.

Common Pitfalls for People & Culture Interns

• Not understanding the People & Culture function
• Giving generic answers without examples
• Struggling to explain your qualification clearly
• Ignoring confidentiality and ethical behaviour
• Poor preparation or lack of enthusiasm

Interview Preparation Checklist

• Research BDO and its People & Culture approach
• Revise key HR / psychology / business concepts
• Prepare 2–3 clear example scenarios
• Dress professionally and arrive early
• Bring required documentation
• Prepare a thoughtful question for the interview panel

Qualification-Specific Interview Questions

Human Resources (HR)

These questions assess foundational HR knowledge, practical thinking, and understanding of people processes.

• How do HR processes support both employees and business performance?
• What role does recruitment and onboarding play in employee engagement?
• How do HR policies help ensure fairness and consistency in an organisation?
• Why is confidentiality important in an HR environment?
• How can HR contribute to a positive workplace culture?

Industrial Psychology

These questions assess understanding of human behaviour at work and its impact on performance and wellbeing.

• How does psychology help improve employee motivation and performance?
• What factors influence employee engagement in the workplace?
• How can organisations support employee wellbeing?
• Why is understanding behaviour important for managers and leaders?
• How does Industrial Psychology add value to People & Culture functions?

Business Administration

These questions assess business awareness, organisational understanding, and administrative capability.

• How does effective administration support people management processes?
• What role do systems and procedures play in organisational efficiency?
• How can business administration support HR or People & Culture teams?
• Why is attention to detail important in business operations?
• How does your qualification prepare you to work in a professional services environment?