Management consultant interviews: 10 critical preparation steps
by: Kevin Gao - Management Consulted on Thu, 7 May 2009 at: 11:42 AM Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Here, I'll focus on 10 important steps to prepare for business consulting interviews. As an overall piece of advice, the best way to become a strong interviewer is to interview in live situations frequently - thus the reasoning behind spreading a very wide net and applying to many different consulting firms.
Getting ready for case studies
1. Browse Case In Point - a very high-quality, 100% case-focused preparation guide
2. Peruse Victor Cheng's website www.caseinterview.com - as a former McKinsey consultant, Victor has a strong grasp of successful case study techniques and strategies
3. Practice online case studies - most firm websites have plenty of cases (some like Bain even have video case studies). The key is to answer the question yourself before reading the suggested answer. There are good consulting websites with case study materials as well, including Rice's Consulting Club
4. Practice a lot with friends - if no friends have interest, search consulting forums and other recruiting hubs like Vault for partners
5. Practice guesstimation/sizing questions in spare waking moments (eg, if you see a Ford while driving, think about how many Ford cars are manufactured in Mexico). It seems silly, but this is exactly how to become an expert at case studies
The most critical thing: practicing cases with existent consultants. Don't underestimate their ability to help.
Fit/experiential interview prep
1. Create fake fit interview questions and prepare sample responses - avoid rote memorization, but outline your main bullets.
2. Practice responding in front of a mirror - this helps you with body language, pacing, hand gestures, and so on
3. Practice with friends and family - have them ask you questions where you don't have prepared responses. Improvisational interview skills will serve you well for consulting interviews
General interview preparation advice
1. Wear something that looks sharp and makes you feel confident - first appearances are incredibly powerful. Dress like a consultant to convey the right message.
2. Talk to as many consultants as you can - the better you understand the actual job, the more comfortable you are with consulting terms like "5,000 mile view" and "good client hands", the better you'll do. It's also great for consulting job networking
That wraps up our tour of the necessary steps to prepare for management consulting interviews. Good luck!
About the Author
Management Consulted is a one-stop shop for prospective consultants. Written by a former McKinsey consultant, it covers topics including recruiting, resumes, interviews, and case studies. Read the guide to consulting jobs today!
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