We are a not-for-profit venture, aimed at providing the MBA participant with free-access resources in order to prepare for his interviews with major strategy consulting firms.
Please post your interview subjects by sending us an email at : fortis10@gmail.com
The Strategy consulting firm interview process varies by firm, partner, and even location.
You should expect several rounds of interviews, each consisting of one or more interviews or assessments.
Here are some tips on how to succeed at these interviews:
Tips for the Strategy firm case interview
First of all, do visit all the websites of the tier-1 consulting firms for examples of case studies and tips on how to prepare for the Strategy case interview.
Then , work with your interviewer. Often, these interviews will involve other applicants. This is meant to test your interpersonal skills.
Listen to the interviewer and co-applicants (if there are any), and ask questions.
Use the interaction to align your thinking.
Ask clarifying questions here and there, and communicate how you’re approaching the opportunity or challenge.
Be relaxed. Although you certainly want that job, do not act competitively. Co-operation is the key, not competition. Most interviewers are friendly and fair, and they want to hire you, provided you can work in teams.
Lastly, be who you are. There is no standard candidate, there is no "typical" strategy consultant. They are in fact all different, and it is this very difference which constitutes the strength of these firms.
Do's and don'ts
Do be prepared for the classic oddball question of "how many chimpanzees can you fit in a stadium" or “how many golf balls can you fit in an Airbus". These questions are more frequent than you think. They are aimed at testing a broad range of skills. For more tips on how to answer these questions, please visit this website.
Do not rush nor respond to questions hastily. Always take some time to think them through. Do not rush into you analysis without developing and structuring your thoughts.
Do not systematically attempt to defend your solution against all odds. While strength of character, and the ability to stand firm, are indeed valuable assets, if the interviewer keeps challenging you, you should consider his/her views carefully.
Do not let your interviewer feel like you know much more than he does.
Do not come across as "too good for the role".
Do not be perceived as arrogant, ignorant, or too good for the organisation.
Do bear in mind that certain stakeholders may well be "anti-this and that consultant."
therefore,
Do demonstrate a certain amount of humility, and
Do demonstrate a willingness to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty.
Do remember that the consulting firm is looking for EQ as well as IQ.
Do mind that thin red line between confidence and arrogance.
Do blend gravitas with humanity.
Do refrain from being aggressive and/or defensive.
Do ask your interviewer for a moment to think or to clarify anything you may not understand.
Do practice cases, but do not rehash them, nor attempt to "recycle" them-- strategy consulting firms keep changing them.
Do focus on high-impact issues and recommendations, and make sure you explain the rationale behind your strategy.
Do generate hypotheses, and then see whether or not you can validate them.
Do explore options creatively. Do not act scholarly nor attempt to impose textbook models that won't work. Do not stick to textbookish solutions.
Do not assume that any given issue, perhaps encountered here, or shared by a past candidate, can be best solved by using the same framework.
Do think independently and "outside the box".
Do draw your own framework and conclusions. The interviewer will be looking for game-changing business innovation ideas that will generate long-term value for his client.
Do demonstrate your ability to make rapid (though not hasty), accurate business calculations. These should be simple mental computations aimed at testing your ability to use numbers to form an opinion and guide a business decision.
Do demonstrate sound business judgement in the face of limited information.
Do bear in mind that often, there is no specific "right" or "wrong" solution.
Do not force-fit standard frameworks unless they really apply.
Do keep asking for additional information in order to improve your judgement.
Do synthesize your thoughts. And toward the end of the strategy case interview,
Do wrap up the key hypotheses, options, and solutions you have developed. Then,
Do conclude with an overall strategy recommendation.
Throughout the conversation,-- for this truly should be a conversation:
Do engage with the interviewer, and
Do keep the interaction lively and stimulating.
Do use the occasion to tell the interviewer something he/she won't learn from your CV.
Do highlight what is really important about you and what truly distinguishes you from the crowd.
Do demonstrate strength, and
Do provide carefully selected examples of where and how you have influenced senior stakeholders and made things happen in a complex, sensitive, and fluid situation.
Last but not least : do not forget to interview the interviewer !
(Prepare 5-6 carefully selected questions about the interviewer, his/her role ; your own role and the company's career paths.)
Please post your interview subjects by sending us an email at : fortis10@gmail.com
The Strategy consulting firm interview process varies by firm, partner, and even location.
You should expect several rounds of interviews, each consisting of one or more interviews or assessments.
Here are some tips on how to succeed at these interviews:
Tips for the Strategy firm case interview
First of all, do visit all the websites of the tier-1 consulting firms for examples of case studies and tips on how to prepare for the Strategy case interview.
Then , work with your interviewer. Often, these interviews will involve other applicants. This is meant to test your interpersonal skills.
Listen to the interviewer and co-applicants (if there are any), and ask questions.
Use the interaction to align your thinking.
Ask clarifying questions here and there, and communicate how you’re approaching the opportunity or challenge.
Be relaxed. Although you certainly want that job, do not act competitively. Co-operation is the key, not competition. Most interviewers are friendly and fair, and they want to hire you, provided you can work in teams.
Lastly, be who you are. There is no standard candidate, there is no "typical" strategy consultant. They are in fact all different, and it is this very difference which constitutes the strength of these firms.
Do's and don'ts
Do be prepared for the classic oddball question of "how many chimpanzees can you fit in a stadium" or “how many golf balls can you fit in an Airbus". These questions are more frequent than you think. They are aimed at testing a broad range of skills. For more tips on how to answer these questions, please visit this website.
Do not rush nor respond to questions hastily. Always take some time to think them through. Do not rush into you analysis without developing and structuring your thoughts.
Do not systematically attempt to defend your solution against all odds. While strength of character, and the ability to stand firm, are indeed valuable assets, if the interviewer keeps challenging you, you should consider his/her views carefully.
Do not let your interviewer feel like you know much more than he does.
Do not come across as "too good for the role".
Do not be perceived as arrogant, ignorant, or too good for the organisation.
Do bear in mind that certain stakeholders may well be "anti-this and that consultant."
therefore,
Do demonstrate a certain amount of humility, and
Do demonstrate a willingness to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty.
Do remember that the consulting firm is looking for EQ as well as IQ.
Do mind that thin red line between confidence and arrogance.
Do blend gravitas with humanity.
Do refrain from being aggressive and/or defensive.
Do ask your interviewer for a moment to think or to clarify anything you may not understand.
Do practice cases, but do not rehash them, nor attempt to "recycle" them-- strategy consulting firms keep changing them.
Do focus on high-impact issues and recommendations, and make sure you explain the rationale behind your strategy.
Do generate hypotheses, and then see whether or not you can validate them.
Do explore options creatively. Do not act scholarly nor attempt to impose textbook models that won't work. Do not stick to textbookish solutions.
Do not assume that any given issue, perhaps encountered here, or shared by a past candidate, can be best solved by using the same framework.
Do think independently and "outside the box".
Do draw your own framework and conclusions. The interviewer will be looking for game-changing business innovation ideas that will generate long-term value for his client.
Do demonstrate your ability to make rapid (though not hasty), accurate business calculations. These should be simple mental computations aimed at testing your ability to use numbers to form an opinion and guide a business decision.
Do demonstrate sound business judgement in the face of limited information.
Do bear in mind that often, there is no specific "right" or "wrong" solution.
Do not force-fit standard frameworks unless they really apply.
Do keep asking for additional information in order to improve your judgement.
Do synthesize your thoughts. And toward the end of the strategy case interview,
Do wrap up the key hypotheses, options, and solutions you have developed. Then,
Do conclude with an overall strategy recommendation.
Throughout the conversation,-- for this truly should be a conversation:
Do engage with the interviewer, and
Do keep the interaction lively and stimulating.
Do use the occasion to tell the interviewer something he/she won't learn from your CV.
Do highlight what is really important about you and what truly distinguishes you from the crowd.
Do demonstrate strength, and
Do provide carefully selected examples of where and how you have influenced senior stakeholders and made things happen in a complex, sensitive, and fluid situation.
Last but not least : do not forget to interview the interviewer !
(Prepare 5-6 carefully selected questions about the interviewer, his/her role ; your own role and the company's career paths.)