The Interview Process
The consulting interview process consists of two parts: the personal experience interview and the business case portion. The personal experience interview consists of a "get to know" conversation including questions about your resume, motivations to become a consultant, strengths, experiences working in teams, and many other possible scenarios. The case portion of the interview consists of the interviewer presenting a business problem, often one the consultant has actually faced, to consider. During the case portion (often 75% of a 30 minute to 1 hour interview) interviewees are expected to logically, creatively, and in a structured manner describe how they would approach the problem. While problem solving skills and the ability to present logical arguments and hypotheses are skills that Ph.D., masters, law degree, and medical degree students have in spades, the ability to think on the spot and coherently address issues relevant to businesses takes practice. Thus, the Harvard Graduate Consulting Club provides a wide range of programming aimed at helping advanced degree applicants confidently approach the interview.
There are a few general suggestions from alumni to consider when preparing for the interview. First, do not neglect preparing for the personal interview section of the interview. While performing well on the case is a necessary component of getting a job, it is not a sufficient criteria. Interviewees should come prepared to answer the commonly asked interview questions with stories that demonstrate the interviewee's key abilities and achievements. Secondly, when interviews come, there are often up to five in one day so be prepared to spend many hours each week for the months preceding interviews practicing and building stamina. A bench mark is to practice cases with a partner (NEVER ALONE) 3-5 times per week for two months before interviews. Finally, when applying for firms, remember that consulting jobs are very difficult to land. However, with enough determination, enough preparation, enough networking with companies, and by spreading your job search net wide you will be able to enter this exciting industry!
Examples of programs that the Harvard Consulting club normally offers to help members prepare:
Programs will be put on the Calendar page as well as sent through our listserv.
1. Weekly Case Practice Sessions – Offered one day at the Law School, one day in Longwood, and one day at MIT (with other additions possible in the fall), these sessions provide an opportunity for you to practice cases with different people and gain different perspectives each week.
2. Group Critique Sessions – Periodically, during the case practice sessions, we will bring a case expert to critique an individual in front the whole group so that everyone can learn how to improve.
3. Interview Tips and Practice – Alumni who have participated in the interview process will come to give tips on the non-case elements of the interview. This will be followed by sessions devoted to your peers giving you feedback about answers you give to common interview questions.
4. MIT/HARVARD Case Competition – A one day event designed to give you the opportunity to experience a consulting teamwork environment. Please click on the Case Competition link for more information.
5. Summer 10-week mini MBA – Please click on the mini-MBA tab for more information.
6. In Depth Look into Consulting – Consultants will present on the practical aspects of the business principles they work with everyday as an addition to the mini MBA course.
7. How to Read the Wall Street Journal – Brief session to introduce new readers to effective use of the journal.
8. Industry Analysis – In the fall, a three week program designed to use business skills to become familiar with major worldwide industries.
9. Boutique Consulting Firm Outreach – The creation of a database and information regarding the hiring of smaller consulting companies will be completed and made available for consulting club members. A kickoff event to present this material will occur in the fall.
Interview Prep