An expert reveals the 4 biggest mistakes you can make in an interview for a consulting job

You may have been searching for consulting positions on online job search platforms and submitting applications like there’s no tomorrow. However, once you land an interview with a potential employer, you need to ensure that you are prepared.

Yes, you already know all the basics of interview etiquette, after all, you’re a pro. But what about all the mistakes you should avoid? Here are a few major mishaps that you definitely don’t want to commit when you’re interviewing for a consulting position.

Not researching the firm that you’re interviewing at

Every single consulting firm has different values and cultures. Yes, they might all be doing strategy consulting work, but they are all different — you need to be well aware of what makes them unique and see which one would be the best fit for you.

For example, McKinsey & Company looks to hire people who will be potential future leaders in the firm. On the other hand, BCG (Boston Consulting Group) typically hires people who value intellectual rigor such as creating the next famous framework or challenging existing ways of doing business.  Thus, they look to hire people who are highly intuitive and test tactics and strategies rigorously.

Of course, another popular consulting firm you’ve applied to is Bain & Company, which is smaller than the two aforementioned enterprises. Bain usually looks to hire people who are more entrepreneurial and scrappy.

That all said, now you probably see how every consulting firm has its own unique way of working and its differences. You will need to thoroughly research each firm that you interview at so that you can present yourself to the interviewers in a way that will help them determine that you would be a fantastic culture fit for their company.

Not knowing why you want to work at that particular firm

Consulting firms get hundreds of thousands of people applying to work for them, and they interview thousands of applicants a year. If you are unable to share why you want to work in consulting or why you want to work for their firm and the office location you chose, they will see you as a “flight risk” (someone who applied to one city location but really their short-term goal is to transfer to another city.)

Not thoroughly preparing for the case interview

As you probably already know, you will need to do a case interview with the firm considering you. This is the firm’s method to screen candidates to determine their ability to perform the job. You absolutely will need to do case study interview prep — you can’t just go into the case interview thinking that you will figure it out as you go along. Practice going through a case interview with others in your network (ideally with someone who has experience in working at a consulting firm). You need to take the time to review what a case interview entails. 

One way you can prepare is by having a good note-taking system, as it will help you remember and track important information during the case interview. Also, don’t just memorize frameworks and business terms without understanding the “why” behind them — this would cause your interviewers to think you can only memorize and can’t think on your own.

Finally, really think like a consultant during the case interview. Consultants are hired by firms to solve problems and move their business forward, so when you are given new information during a case interview, always think about how you can use the information to help the client.

Not asking the right questions

When interviewing with a consulting firm, a huge mishap that candidates commit is not coming up with great questions for the interviewer. Instead, these candidates will ask questions that are really basic and would pass the “Google Test” (they could easily find the answers to their questions in an online search). For example, they might ask how long their office has been around or if the firm is involved with a certain industry. Instead of these “Googleable” questions, really close out the interview by asking questions about the interviewer’s experience with the company. Ask them things only they would know the answers to.

For example, Bain & Company has the motto “A Bainie never lets another Bainie fail.” If you are interviewing at Bain, ask the interviewer about their favorite “A Bainie never lets another Bainie fail” story. This kind of question will show the interviewer that you have done your research and that you care about hearing about their own personal experiences with the company. Also, this question will definitely leave the interview on a happy note!

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to start interviewing at consulting firms? Make sure to think about the top mishaps you need to avoid during the interview, which include not properly researching the firm you are interviewing at and not knowing why you want to work in consulting and at that particular firm.

Also, you will need to thoroughly prepare for the case interview and ask your interviewer insightful questions. Following these tips should get you well on your way to a job offer at your dream consulting firm.

Davis Nguyen is the founder of My Consulting Offer, a top program that helps people land their dream jobs in management consulting. Davis has helped over 500 people launch careers in consulting, grown his business to seven figures, and was featured at TEDx. www.myconsultingoffer.org