If you're a graduate looking to get into consultancy and need to get a feel for the kind of questions employers might ask at interview, then make sure you research these graduate consultancy interview questions below. These questions and answers are taken from real graduate interviews, and compiled to give you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare your answers.
Example Consultancy Interview Questions:
1. We want to achieve savings of 20% in the next 12 months. Can you do that, and how?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer seeks to assess your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of cost-saving strategies. They are looking for a structured approach and evidence of prior research.
Example Answer: "(Situation) During my final year at university, I participated in a project aimed at reducing operational costs for a campus organisation. (Task) Our objective was to identify areas where we could achieve a 20% cost reduction over the academic year. (Action) I conducted a thorough analysis of current expenditures, identified inefficiencies in resource allocation, and proposed strategies such as bulk purchasing and energy-saving initiatives. (Result) By implementing these measures, we successfully achieved a 25% cost reduction within nine months, surpassing our initial target."
2. We need to increase productivity. What method would you use to achieve that?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer wants to evaluate your ability to analyse workflows, identify inefficiencies, and propose effective productivity enhancements.
Example Answer: "(Situation) In a university group project, we faced challenges meeting deadlines due to inefficient task allocation. (Task) As the team coordinator, I aimed to enhance our productivity. (Action) I introduced a clear division of responsibilities based on individual strengths, set interim milestones, and established regular check-ins to monitor progress. (Result) This structured approach led to a 30% improvement in our task completion rate, and we delivered the project ahead of schedule."
3. We sent you our proposed restructuring plan for review and proposals. What ideas can you show us?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer is assessing your critical thinking, ability to analyse existing plans, and creativity in suggesting improvements.
Example Answer: "(Situation) During my internship with a non-profit organisation, I was asked to review their restructuring plan. (Task) My goal was to provide constructive feedback and propose enhancements. (Action) I analysed the plan, identified overlapping roles, and suggested consolidating certain functions to streamline operations. Additionally, I recommended implementing cross-functional teams to improve collaboration. (Result) These suggestions were adopted, leading to a more efficient structure and enhanced team synergy."
4. Describe a time when you had to adapt to significant changes in a project. How did you handle it?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer seeks to understand your adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving skills when faced with unexpected changes.
Example Answer: "(Situation) While volunteering for a community event, unforeseen weather conditions required us to move the event indoors on short notice. (Task) As part of the organising committee, I needed to adapt our plans quickly. (Action) I coordinated with team members to secure an indoor venue, reorganised the event layout, and communicated the changes to attendees. (Result) Despite the abrupt change, the event proceeded smoothly, receiving positive feedback from participants."
5. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to persuade others to adopt your idea?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer is looking for evidence of your communication, persuasion, and leadership skills.
Example Answer: "(Situation) In a university debate club, I proposed introducing practice sessions to improve our performance. (Task) I needed to convince members who were hesitant about the additional time commitment. (Action) I presented data showing the correlation between practice and success, shared testimonials from other clubs, and addressed concerns by suggesting flexible scheduling. (Result) The members agreed to implement practice sessions, leading to improved performance in subsequent debates."
6. Tell me about a time when you had to analyse a large amount of data to make a recommendation.
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer wants to assess your analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to derive actionable insights from data.
Example Answer: "(Situation) For my dissertation, I analysed a dataset of over 10,000 survey responses to study consumer behaviour. (Task) The objective was to identify trends and provide recommendations for marketing strategies. (Action) I cleaned and organised the data, used statistical software to identify patterns, and cross-referenced findings with existing literature. (Result) My analysis revealed key consumer preferences, leading to targeted recommendations that were well-received by the academic committee."
7. Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting priorities. How did you handle it?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer is evaluating your time management, organisational skills, and ability to handle pressure.
Example Answer: "(Situation) During my final semester, I was balancing coursework, a part-time job, and a leadership role in a student organisation. (Task) I needed to manage these commitments effectively to meet all deadlines. (Action) I prioritised tasks based on urgency and importance, created a detailed schedule, and delegated responsibilities where possible. (Result) This approach allowed me to fulfil all my obligations successfully without compromising the quality of my work."
8. Have you ever identified a business opportunity that others overlooked? What did you do?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer seeks to assess your initiative, business acumen, and ability to recognise and act on opportunities.
Example Answer: "(Situation) While volunteering at a local charity shop, I noticed that unsold books were accumulating. (Task) I saw an opportunity to increase revenue by organising a weekend book fair. (Action) I proposed the idea, secured approval, and led the planning and promotion of the event. (Result) The book fair attracted a large crowd and generated significant additional funds for the charity."
9. Describe a time when you had to deliver a project within a tight deadline. How did you ensure its success?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer is interested in your ability to work under pressure, plan effectively, and deliver results on time. They want to see strong time management, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Example Answer: "(Situation) During my university coursework, I was given a group assignment with a short turnaround time. (Task) We had to conduct research, analyse data, and prepare a presentation within three days. (Action) I proposed dividing the work into clear sections, set internal deadlines, and scheduled daily check-ins to monitor progress. To ensure efficiency, I used shared documents and focused on key priorities. (Result) We completed the project on time, delivered a well-structured presentation, and received positive feedback from our tutor."
10. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?
Interviewer Expectation: The interviewer is looking for evidence of conflict resolution, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. They want to see that you can maintain professionalism, adapt to different personalities, and find solutions.
Example Answer: "(Situation) In a student society committee, I worked with a team member who frequently missed deadlines. (Task) This was affecting the progress of our event planning, so I needed to address the issue. (Action) I had a private conversation with them to understand their challenges and offered support by redistributing tasks based on their availability. I also introduced a shared progress tracker to improve accountability. (Result) They became more engaged, and we successfully organised the event on time, attracting a large number of attendees."