Ace a consultant interview

The consulting interview has one defining feature: the case interview. You're handed an open business problem and observed as you reason out loud. Structure matters more than the "right" answer. Here's how to prepare.

What to expect

• A business case ("this client's revenue is falling — why?").
• A market sizing ("estimate the market for X in this country").
• Fit questions ("a time you managed a difficult client").
• Quick mental math under the recruiter's eye.

The golden rule: structure before you dive

Facing the case, never throw out random ideas. State your framework first: "I'll look at revenue, then costs, then the market." Ask for 30 seconds to think — it's expected, not penalised.

Think out loud, and check your numbers

The recruiter assesses your logic, not your speed. State your assumptions clearly, round sensibly, and do a sanity check: "is this result plausible?"

Close like a consultant

Always end with a crisp recommendation: "Here are the 2-3 levers I'd recommend, and the first one I'd test." The ability to conclude clearly is exactly what's expected on an engagement.

Practise on the exact job offer

Every firm has its style (strategy, management, IT, public sector…). Take a mock interview for the role you're targeting: the AI recruiter will run real cases with you and you'll get a detailed coaching report.