Management Consulting

The learning never ends. You tend to gain a wealth of industry knowledge and business issues depending on the project you are working on. You interact and work with the most talented and brilliant minds in the business.

Sometimes this seems like a no-brainer. I mean why else would you be giving the interview right?

The thing is, most people don't know what they're in for when they choose to go into consulting. This is more so for students who aren't business majors. The employer wants to know if you really know the consulting industry. Are you getting in just for the money? Or because it sounds cool? Or you don't know any better?

Even if the above is true, you should appear to be a well researched individual who knows what he/she wants. A lot of consulting is about marketing yourself/your company/your skills - take your pick. And this starts at the interview level.

► How would you go about advising a hypothetical client on commercializing a teleportation device that they have invented?

► Should I open Chick-Fil-A on Sunday?

► Should I put Wi-Fi on my airline?

► Our client is thinking of acquiring a company that makes a certain type of medical device; what do they need to consider in making their decision?

► Our client wants to enter the wine market; how should they go about doing so?

► Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills?

► Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem?

► Tell me about a time when you had to use your speaking and presentation skills to influence a groups opinion?

► Explain a situation when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done?

► Have you ever had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks?

What I really wish I could say - Because it is McKinsey/BCG/Booz/Bain etc. DUH!!

What I end up saying (and I honestly, personally, sincerely do mean all of my points below)

I know I want to work in the consulting industry, and "Firm Name" is one of the best management consulting firms in the world today.

I personally thrive in an environment which promotes intellectual curiosity and a zest for success.

"Firm's" international presence gives me a chance to work in a global environment and scope.

The simplest and yet the most dangerous of them all. 120% likely hood of getting this question in every interview round. I dread this question, mostly because I never know how to answer it. I mostly combine with a brief personal & resume based history leading to why I want to go into consulting.

► How many airplanes leave from Boston's Logan Airport on Monday?

► How many light bulbs are there in Manhattan?

► What is the market size for a cancer diagnostic technology in the U.S.?

► How many passengers fly through LAX in a calendar year?

The hardest part of leading a team is motivating people to work. Also, it is extremely difficult to inspire a bunch of volunteers who have little incentive to work. In this case, it is best to use subtle tactics - hand out responsibilities, reward people with appreciation and admiration when they get the work done. You also can't get mad at people who don't perform because you aren't running a firm where you can kick out a shoddy worker. You have to shake sluggish people into being more productive by giving them only as much as they can handle - and letting them know that you believe that they are the best for the job and that you trust them to get it done on time.

► What is the most important thing that you have learned in the past year?

► What has been your biggest setback?

► What is it that you do?

► But what is it really that you do?

► How long does it take?

I was part of a team which had to organize an event to showcase Indian Culture. (For those not familiar with Indian work ethics, we pretty much jerk off till we get threatened) True to our stereotype, we were pretty disorganized, with lots of people contributing great ideas, but no one takes on the responsibility or the initiative to do anything about it. 10 days before the event, I overhear someone commenting that Indians were the most lethargic group that they had ever seen. With my national pride on the line, I decided to step up and get the show running.

► Which firms are you interviewing with? How have you gone?

► If given an offer, how will you decide whether or not to accept it?

► What do you think are the differences between your current company and this firm?

► What do you think you'll add to this firm?

► Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision?

► What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example?

► Have you ever had to motivated others? Tell me about such an experience?

► Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem?

► Highlight your top achievements/ accomplishments?

► Why do you want to work in consulting? And why this firm?

► What do you believe a consultant does? What would you consider to be the three most important qualities of a successful consultant?

► How is our practice different from other consulting firms?

► If I was to review your performance after six months, what do you think my evaluation of you would be?

► Tell me about a project that didn't go well and why and what you would do differently next time?

► How do you quantify a lead?

► Can you describe your brand?

► How have you dealt with low team morale in the past? Provide an example of when you had to give a bad performance review?

► Describe a project which challenged you. Describe a client relationship which was challenging?

► How much will you be around?

► Have you developed the model yourselves?

► How do you guarantee the results you talk about?

► What sets you apart from other consultants?

► Who do you work with within the organisation? - the entire organisation?

► Is it enough to work with only one area of operation?


► Shouldn't our managers already know this?

► Are we not too small for you?


► What experience do you have with our business area?

► What are the backgrounds of your consultants?


► Are you always successful in the projects you work on?


► How many of your customers reach their goals?


► Are you not too good for us?


► What are your payment terms?


► How can we integrate this in our existing structure?