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In consulting interviews, the interviewer is likely to ask questions based on your résumé with the aim of understanding your skills and experience.
Your résumé may provide a structure for these kinds of interview questions, but you also need to be prepared to elaborate on your experience including by highlighting your skills using different examples from the ones contained in your résumé.
The way you answer behavioural questions can be just as important as what you say. Appearing confident and relaxed is crucial.
What skills is the firm you are applying for specifically looking for?
Prior to the interview, review your résumé and answers to the most likely questions. This will reduce your stress levels.
In general, interviewers are looking for the following qualities:
- Leadership skills – Consultants need to be able to promote themselves, their ideas, and the firm;
- Teamwork skills – Consultants spend long hours travelling and working together, and so need the ability to get along;
- Analytical skills – Research and analysis are bread and butter consulting skills;
- Communication skills – Good analysis is meaningless if you can’t convey your ideas;
- Confidence – Clients can be busy and demanding, and consultants need to have the right mettle. Sometimes one of the interviewers will play “bad cop” to try and ruffle your feathers;
- Personality – Do you have hobbies, interests, and a sense of humour?
You should prepare answers ahead of time so that you can address this part of the interview without needing to think on the spot.
Memorize bullet points instead of lengthy answers, and have at least three stories to demonstrate each personal quality.
[For more information on consulting interviews, please download “The HUB’s Guide to Consulting Interviews“.]
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