What are the most common consulting interview formats?

2 Phone or video interview

The next stage is often a phone or video interview, where you have a conversation with a recruiter or a consultant from the firm. The purpose of this interview is to get to know you better, to assess your communication skills, and to ask you some behavioral or fit questions. Behavioral or fit questions are questions that ask you to describe a situation where you demonstrated a certain skill, trait, or value, such as leadership, teamwork, or creativity. To ace this interview, you need to prepare some examples of your past experiences that showcase your skills and fit, and use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. You also need to be confident, enthusiastic, and professional, and to ask some insightful questions about the firm and the role.

4 Group interview

Some consulting firms may also use a group interview format, where you have to work with other candidates on a case or a task. The group interview is designed to test your teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal skills, as well as your ability to handle conflict and feedback. To ace this interview, you need to collaborate effectively with your group members, to contribute your ideas and opinions, to listen and respect others' perspectives, to facilitate the discussion and the decision-making process, and to demonstrate a positive and constructive attitude. You also need to balance your involvement and avoid being too dominant or too passive.

5 Written or presentation interview

Another possible consulting interview format is a written or presentation interview, where you have to prepare a report or a slide deck based on a case or a data set, and present it to the interviewer or a panel. The written or presentation interview is designed to test your analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as your ability to synthesize information and deliver a persuasive message. To ace this interview, you need to follow the instructions and the time limit, to structure your report or slide deck clearly and logically, to use data and visuals to support your analysis, to highlight your key findings and recommendations, and to present confidently and engagingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?