Nine Common Management Consulting Fit Interview Questions

Nine Common
Nine Common
Management
Management
ConsultingFit
Consulting Fit
Interview
Interview
Questions
Questions

What fit interviews are for?
Recruiters consider fit interviews important because
the results determine if you can adapt with the
firm’s culture, with the pressures of the position and
with the people around you. Given this fact, you
must find out the right answers to nine common fit
interview questions.
Most consulting applicants like you prepare for the
challenging case interview. You diligently go through
scripts and practice analytical issues with a friend or
a mentor. However, though it’s quite significant in
the screening process, it’s not the only interview
you should prepare for. The recruiters will also pose
questions related to your education, experience and
personality. Find out the top nine interview
questions or statements that are commonly asked
during management consulting fit interviews.
In this presentation, you will learn:

•
•

Nine typical fit interview questions
Guidelines on how to answer those questions

All rights reserved by ConsultingFact.com. More free consulting career advice on www.consultingfact.com.

2

Questions and Answers
Tell me
something about
yourself

This broad statement can dig a variety of answers from applicants but not all of
these answers are encouraged to be mentioned during the interview. To know the
best answer, ask yourself, “What does this recruiter want to know about me?” Of
course, it’s not the list of awards you’ve earned in elementary or high school. It’s
not the trophy you’ve won during the singing contest in your community.
What the recruiter wants to know is an overview of your professional credentials
that are related to management consulting. You can share how you got interested
in this field, your relevant experience that can help you perform your job and your
skills that will boost your application. This general background serves as the
recruiter’s basis in formulating specific questions that will pull out more relevant
information from you. Avoid sharing personal matters since these are not necessary
anymore.

How did your
education
prepare you for
this job?

Some management consulting companies are interested in your educational
background since it’s the longest training you have had. Those who graduated from
universities known for their integrity, excellence and prestige are preferred as
proven by their alumni.
However, going to the best school in the country doesn’t make you the most
qualified applicant. You should also be able to explain how your holistic education
has prepared you for the job. You can also mention your extracurricular
involvement that equipped you for this position.


3

What are your
weaknesses?

Answering this question is like being torn between the devil and the deep blue sea.
For a management consulting applicant, revealing the truth might cause rejection
but lying isn’t a good idea, either. To answer the question, try to rephrase it. Ask
yourself, “What are my points for improvement?” This elicits a positive response, a
turn-on for recruiters.
You can start describing your weakness but never leave it as it is. Add details on
how you are resolving it. Emphasize that you’ve already started working on it. For
instance, if you’re a management consulting applicant who’s not excellent in
preparing presentations, you can say that you’re currently taking a crash course or
you’re learning the application with a friend. You can mention that you’ve realized
it’s not that complicated after all.
Never state a weakness that opposes any of the main requirements of the job. For
instance, if you hate numbers, don’t make the mortal sin of mentioning this. You
will instantly get rejected since consultants are bombarded with numbers for
research and analysis.

“Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.”

- Knute Rockne


4

What was the
reason why you
left your
previous job?

You are expected to tell the truth in answering this question but make sure that
you focus on the act itself, not on the person nor on the organization. If you stick
with the act, you get direct to the point. For instance, if you resigned because of
your supervisor’s contagious inefficiency, you can just say, “I’m looking for a
challenging environment where my skills can be fully maximized.”
Preferably, focus on your search for growth and betterment. Ranting will only lead
you to saying negative impression about your boss and the people around you. A
management consulting applicant who badmouths his or her previous colleagues
and/or company usually gets rejected.
Badmouthing implies ungratefulness and poor social skills, two factors that
adversely influence your performance.

Why do you
want to apply
for this position?

When the interviewer asks you this question, he/she wants to know three things:
how fit you are for the position, how well you know the company and how you can
reconcile both. If you’re applying for a position in McKinsey, research what their
ultimate goal is. If you’re trying your luck in Bain, find out what makes it different
from the other management consulting firms. Then draw a line that connects the
company’s vision and your personal interests, objectives and competencies.


5

What are your
goals?

This question aims to check if the position you’re applying for will help you achieve
your career goals. Ideally both must be parallel since it helps you perform your
responsibilities in a more effective and fulfilling manner. If they are situated on
opposite sides, there’s a great possibility that you’ll find dissatisfaction in your job.
This will consequently lead to poor performance and eventually resignation or
termination.
When you are asked to answer this question in a management consulting job
interview, establish a connection between the position and your career goal. For
instance, if your dream is to be a Senior Consultant, you can explain that the
Analyst position is a good stepping stone since your analytical and critical-thinking
skills will be enhanced.

What is the most
difficult decision
you have made
at school or at
the workplace?

This question finds out how a candidate deals with stress. When you need to make
a difficult decision, there are choices you need to weigh, changes you need to
face. How you deal with them is vital for any management consulting position since
there are plenty of stress-provoking incidents in this field.
When asked with this question, try to recall a situation where you displayed
competencies necessary for the management consulting position. For example, a
problem that was resolved because of your leadership skills or a dilemma that was
clarified because you’ve convinced the other consulting club members to
brainstorm possible solutions.


6

How do your
colleagues or
friends describe
you as a person?

This checks your interpersonal skills, an important factor that recruiters seek in
management consulting applicants. Consultants should be people person. They are
expected to deal with different kinds of personalities in different position levels to
be able to generate excellent recommendations.
When asked with this question, focus on how you get along well with others. You
don’t have to be loquacious; you must only be able to work in teams, establish
rapport, collaborate and provide feedback.

Do you have any
questions?

A good recruiter always gives the applicant a chance to ask questions at the end of
the interview to clarify any confusion. This is a good chance for you to prove you
can pose intelligent queries. Do not look for answers that are already provided on
the job description. Instead, ask questions that suggest your interest in
management consulting and that are interesting enough for the interviewer to
answer.

“He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes;
he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.”
- Chinese Proverb


7

Free Guide: Learn How to Break Into Consulting

Do you want to break into consulting? Download our free PDF guide, which
will show you the necessary steps and best practices on how to prepare.

1

2

3

Consulting Interview Process: Get an overview of the
application and interview process when applying to
management consulting firms. Receive tips on how to write
your cover letter and resume and get prepared for the
written tests and interviews once you get there.
Interview Preparation: Learn what you need to practice to
receive an offer from one of the top-tier consulting firms.
See our step-by-step framework to case study solving, learn
how to develop your own frameworks and get mental math
tips.
Case Study Example: Know what to expect from a case
study interview round. Read a real-life case study interview,
which includes a variety of topics. See the practical
application of the step-by-step framework to case study
solving.

Nine Common Management Consulting Fit Interview Questions

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Destaque

Destaque (8)

Último

Último (20)

Nine Common Management Consulting Fit Interview Questions