Are you looking to break into the consulting industry? If so, you'll need to be prepared for the intense and challenging interview process. Consulting firms are looking for candidates who can solve complex business problems and demonstrate their skills in the field. To help you ace your consulting interview, here are some tips and tricks on how to prepare. Research the Company Before your interview, it's important to do your research on the company.
Take some time to learn about their history, mission, and values. This will give you a better understanding of what they're looking for in a candidate and help you determine if you're a good fit for the company.
Practice Case Interviews
The case interview is a format in which you, the interviewee, are posed with a business problem or riddle to solve. These cases have earned a reputation for being intense, quantitative, and downright scary.To prepare for this type of interview, practice with case partners online and familiarize yourself with the latest news and trends in consulting.
Be Ready to Close
When you're asked to solve the problem at hand, take a moment to think about it carefully and sort out your ideas. Then, grab a pen and paper and get to work. Your goal is to draw up a logical structure that will help you solve the main problems in the case.When you're finished, be ready to close the debate with questions for the interviewer that show that you are truly interested in working for their company.
Utilize Resources
Consulting firms usually provide free resources such as case guides, consulting firm directories, and annual consultant salary data. They also have paid resources such as assistance in preparing case interviews. Utilize these resources to help you prepare for your interview.Start Preparing Early For second-year students who decide after a summer internship that consulting is the right career path for them, start preparing as soon as you realize that you want to pursue consulting. This will give you plenty of time to practice cases and get comfortable with the interview process. Enjoy Yourself If you enjoy your consulting interview, chances are you'll enjoy the actual consulting work as well. So take some time to relax before your interview and remember that it's an opportunity to show off your skills and knowledge.
