I recently applied to Deloitte (experienced hire Technology consultant/senior consultant). Apparently they were seeking to build a team in a service line within which I have good experience and qualifications. I attended an assessment centre which I felt went really well apart from the Senior interview which was with a Director. I just felt after every section of the interview that he wasn't impressed. In particular, one of his first questions was what rate I was on and what was my salary expectation. I tried to skirt the issue by saying that I was hoping to join at the top of the consultant range, he said "just give me a number" very bluntly. I did and mentioned that I was willing to take a significant reduction from my contractor rate due to the huge opportunity Deloitte presented for learning and development etc. He didn't seem to like this statement and lectured me on why contractor rates cannot be compared to salaried employee rates, all stuff I was perfectly aware of. So, basically, it didn't go well from the beginning. I felt his attitude was needlessly aggressive. Given the bad start I don't think I helped matters by saying that I seen myself in a manager position within 5 years and that my long-term ambition was to reach the very top. (I guess these are poor answers generally but definitely given how the interview opened!)My assessment centre feedback was that my knowledge was excellent and I received full marks for the case study presentation and technical interview, I performed well at the group task but the Director, although he thought I was good technically, surprise surprise did not feel I was the "right fit for the team". The HR rep did not elaborate on this when I asked.Chalk this up to a personality clash? Unlucky? Got a bad Director on a bad day? How would you guys have dealt with the issue? Also, is this service line blacklisted from me now - would you even consider applying to it again while this particular Director is around? Or just brush up on senior interview skills/answers and try again?

That sort of thing happens sometimes in life. Not sure what one does about it. I was once rejected (during interviews for a totally different company to the one you mention!) by some jumped-up little know-it-all twerp who frankly I should have been interviewing, not the other way around. I don't like it when people interview based on whether they personally like someone rather than whether they think that person is good at the job. Maybe stick a complaint in, it doesn't sound like you're going to be burning any bridges.As for "what rate are you currently on?" - I would have been silently saying in my own head "mind your own f'ing business!" And then, when he lectured you on why contractor rates cannot be compared to employee rates, I would have silently asked in my own head "so why the F are you so insistent on knowing it then!"

[quote] I don't like it when people interview based on whether they personally like someone rather than whether they think that person is good at the job. [/quote]This is why I am a little confused about these final senior interviews at the Big4. My other scores from the assessment centre indicated that I was perfect for the role. I'll admit that, as a contractor, I have had a lot, a TON of interviews with various companies and as such I don't feel the need to do any preparation other than the obvious research into the company. I just go in and give honest answers. In hindsight this was a mistake as it seems there are certain "acceptable" answers for the Big4 senior interviews according to various parts of the internet. The HR rep did say "we are not saying never, just not right now" which sounded like a canned line. So you really think I should enquire in writing for feedback?

You didn't do any prep other than some stock research, you say you tried to skirt around the question of salary, and offered some stock responses about your mid-term goals on joining Deloitte. And somehow this is all about a Director who didn't give you a fair interview??That Director will have arrived at one conclusion - your lack of preparation for this interview will become your lack of preparation in front of clients. Chalk this up as a learning experience, but I would suggest a less laissez faire approach next time.

I'd add to this that Consultant grade is relatively junior. And it's true that the big 4 have quite a specific fit in mind for new hires at this grade (flexible, enthusiastic, open to adopting standard methodologies etc.)Having strong technical answers and being confident in your own methods and ways of working may have conflicted with what the interviewer expected at that grade. Or worse - what they were actually looking for (e.g. it could have made you seem inflexible.)Also, I'm sure you've since concluded that when asked about salary just provide a straight number somewhere just above the top of the band you're going for. Drawing any link with a contractor 'salary' is likely to get that response. There's plenty of salary information on here to help. Maybe something to think about as you prepare for the next one. On a final point, I do think cultural fit is a fair game - particularly in the big4 where their people are at the front of delivering their brands.

I can read your post in two ways:1) You're a great guy and were unlucky to be interviewed by a very difficult Director2) You were ill prepared for the interview and tried to be clever when asked a direct questions by the Director and came across arrogant and inflexible.Which ever one, it's pretty meaningless - if you want to join a company whether it's the big 4 or otherwise you need to be able to flex your style to get on with different people. In order to do so, you need to be prepared. Put yourself in the Director's position - if you can't flex your style with him then could you do so with a client.

Hi Buddy, sorry to hear about your experience...I'm not sure where I heard this from and if I even remember correctly, but I think that by law you are able to ask for your interview notes. Not sure how that may play out in the future, but in case you are that curious (I am!) it could be worth a shot,Also for what its worth I think this guy seems like a bit of a douche.

People often forget that it's not just the technical expertise and experience that defines how well you'll do, but also the team fit. If that director felt that you would not get on with the rest of his team then he's right to reject you.This post is the equivalent of the the "I got 7 A*s at A level and I got rejected by Oxford" front page Daily Mail bullshit.