Ace Your Management Consulting Interview

The typical management consulting job interview focuses heavily on whether a candidate fits the firm and its needs. Most of the top-tier consulting firms are looking for similar skill sets and characteristics among applicants. If you know what firms are seeking and seem to fit in at one of the top firms, you are likely to fit in in another. You can prepare for the various components of the management consulting interview by knowing what you might be asked.

As with common characteristics, there are also common mistakes heard by the hiring committees of these firms during the interviewing process. Consulting firms, such as A.T. Kearney and Booz report hearing the same issues among candidates. Although these firms do their best at weeding out the obvious "won't fit" candidates, they can tell the ones who have neglected to practice and do their homework before arriving at the interview.

Below are some of the most typical management consulting interview questions and common mistakes made in answering them. You will benefit from interview practice leading up to your management consulting interview; make use of friends, colleagues or even yourself to rehearse successful interview skills.

A McKinsey recruiter reported that the most common question asked during the interview at their firm is what the candidate thinks are the good characteristics of a management consultant. At other firms such as Bain or BCG, the common question is phrased 'what skills make a successful management consultant?' It may feel unnatural to go overboard on self-promotion, but erring on the side of modesty is one of the costliest mistakes you can make in answering this question. The question should be broken up into two parts and answered with respect to the top qualities found in the most successful management consultants and then promote yourself by showcasing how you are that type of consultant. The interviewing team is really wanting to know how you personally posses the skills you just talked about.

Another common question asked at a management consulting interview is if you have ever had to deal with a difficult boss or troublesome situation. This question may also be phrased as, 'have you ever had a conflict with your manager or disagreed with your boss?' The common mistake made in answering this question is to provide a cliché that everything worked out smoothly. Too many candidates offer up this answer, and it lacks substance and actual communications that take place when resolving a situation at work. In order to effectively answer this question and set yourself apart from the majority of those interviewing for a management consulting job, craft a conversational answer that reveals conflict resolution skills. It is important to be honest and even admit partial fault, but avoid getting emotional or offering up a cliché answer.

Some firms inquire about a candidate's weaknesses, when they ask the interviewee to tell them about their professional downsides. It used to be that human resource managers were looking for a strength that the candidate disguised as a weakness. This is not the case anymore. Today, management consulting recruiters are looking for honesty and sincerity when answering this question. It is wise to offer an anecdote or personal example that details the answer to the question, as well as a couple of moral takeaways that you learned through the experience.

An important question, which virtually all the major firms pose, is 'why did you apply to work at X Company?' Candidates may also hear this question phrased as 'what interests you about our company' or 'why are you interested in Bain, for example, over BCG?' The answer to this question should be articulated well and rehearsed ahead of time. Don't play it safe in answering this question by telling the hiring committee that you see the passion among its employees, but rather share some specific anecdotes or encounters you have had.

Remember, preparation is the key to success when answering management consulting interview questions. Do your homework ahead of time, study the company website and be prepared with creative answers that set you apart from the other candidates.


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