Kearney Interview Guide: Secure Your Dream Job in Consulting

Overview of Kearney

Andrew Thomas Kearney founded McKinsey, A.T. Kearney & Company in 1939 after breaking away from McKinsey where he was a managing partner. He did not start a new company from scratch though. Instead, he took over the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company and rebranded it. Eight years later, in 1947, Tom Kearney renamed the company to A.T. Kearney. Then in 2020, they shortened the name to simply Kearney.

Kearney is now a top global consulting firm with a diverse team of over 5,700 employees spread across more than 40 countries. As a top-tier management consulting firm, Kearney works with Fortune Global 500 companies, less-renowned ones, governmental and nonprofit organizations. Consultants at the firm ensure the clients’ uncover underlying business problems and recommend solutions that leave a long-lasting impact.

What Is the Recruiting Process at Kearney Like?

As you might already know, the consulting industry involves multi-stage recruitment processes. Below, we’ll look at the general Kearney recruitment process to help you familiarize yourself with each step. The details might vary slightly depending on the specific office and role.

Submit Your Resume and Cover Letter

The first step in securing a consulting job at Kearney is to submit your resume and cover letter during the recruitment season. This stage is often done online using the company’s online application system. You might also need to submit other documents and enter personal details. But everything you need will be clearly outlined in the job post and online system.

First Round Interviews

If you pass the initial screening, you'll be invited to the first round of interviews. This stage typically consists of two to three interviews done via phone or video call. Your interviewer will likely be a person at the manager or associate level. They assess your problem-solving skills, experience, and fit with the company culture.

These first round interviews at Kearney are often a mix of behavioral or fit and case interviews. So, be prepared to tackle a case study and answer questions about your past experiences and skills. It’s also an opportunity for you to learn more about Kearney and the role. Don't hesitate to ask questions!

Second Round Interviews

After succeeding at the first round, your next stage is the second and final round of interviews. This step is often referred to as the "final round" or "partner round," as you'll be meeting with senior Kearney managers, partners and directors in person.

The format and structure of the second round interviews are similar to the first round, with a mix of case and behavioral interviews. However, the stakes are higher, and the questions could be more challenging. You'll need to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the case studies, as well as your ability to think strategically and communicate complex ideas effectively.

Written Case & Excel Skills Tests

Besides the interviews, some Kearney offices may also require you to complete a written case or Excel skills test as part of the recruitment process. These assessments evaluate your analytical and problem-solving skills. They also test your ability to work with data and communicate complex ideas effectively.

During the written case interview, the recruiter will give you a business problem or scenario. Your work will be to analyze the situation, identify key issues, and develop a clear and concise recommendation. Then, you can present your case. It is likely to be a timed exercise, so be prepared to work efficiently under pressure.

For the Excel skills test, the interviewer will be assessing your technical skills, particularly in data analysis and financial modeling. The exercises or tasks may require you to perform analysis using various functions like Match, Vlookup, and Countif.

Job Offer

This is probably the stage you’ll be looking forward to, and it can be nerve-wrecking to wait for the response after the final interview. But if you successfully complete all the previous stages and impress the interviewers, you'll receive a job offer from Kearney within weeks. This will outline the terms of your employment, including your role, salary, benefits, and start date. You have the option to accept or decline the job offer.

What Is the Timeline of the Recruiting Process at Kearney?

Like with most consulting firms, the recruitment process at Kearney can take a few weeks to months from online application to final job offer. After the interviews, you can usually expect to hear back from the team within a week, but don’t worry if it takes some more time. This does not have to be a bad sign and can simply happen due to internal reasons that slow down the process.

The Kearney summer internship applications in the US open annually, and successful interns work for six to ten weeks. It’s best to refresh the company’s website as application dates can change from year to year. You can also contact recruiters or your school for specific dates too.

If you’re studying for an MBA, Kearney offers a 10-week summer internship as an associate. The Kearney summer associate program often opens for applications in September through early December with interviews happening in January.

If you’ve already graduated and are looking for a full-time job, you can check the available jobs on the company’s career site year-round and apply instantly.

What Can You Expect in the Kearney Interviews?

Kearney consulting interviews typically include case interviews, behavioral/fit interviews, and written cases. Below are some details about each.

Case Interviews:

You should expect case interviews during both rounds of the Kearney interviews. These simulated real-life exercises test your consultancy skills, including quantitative skills, business logic, and strategic thinking.

The Kearney case interviews are known to be candidate-led, meaning you take charge of the problem-solving process. Initially, the interviewer presents a business problem, and you must ask clarifying questions to define it. You then structure your approach, guiding the discussion and analysis throughout the interview.

This format is different from interviewer-led cases, where the interviewer directs the conversation. Also note that the Kearney cases often have a more numerical and quantitative approach than those of other consulting firms. Therefore, it is especially important that you brush up your mental math skills and are able to work with big numbers confidently.

Kearney Behavioral Interview:

Another type of interview you should expect at Kearney is the behavioral or fit assessment. In this part of the interview process, the interviewer evaluates your personal qualities and how they align with the Kearney culture. Be prepared to answer questions about your experience with teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership.

For the fit assessment, be ready to answer questions like:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Walk me through your resume.
• Why consulting?
• Why are you interested in working for Kearney

👉 Use the Stress Question Tool to prepare for your interview

Some common questions for the behavioral assessment segment include:

• What has been your most challenging project?
• Describe a team conflict you resolved and what you learned.
• Share an experience where you changed a stakeholder's perspective.

👉 Check out the Integrated FIT Guide for MBB by our coach Clara rock the personal fit interview!

Kearney Written Case Interview:

Whether you should expect a written case interview depends on the Kearney office you're applying to and other factors. You can ask your recruiter if it'll be part of the process. However, it's good to familiarize yourself early on to avoid feeling unprepared during the last minute.

How Can You Prepare for the Interviews?

Now that you understand the Kearney recruitment process and what to expect at the interviews, here are some tips to help you give your best confidently.

Enhance Your Proficiency in Case Interview Math:

Since Kearney interviews are more numerical and quantitative, it’s crucial to practice case interview math. Focus on the different types of math problems tested in cases, use mental math tools, and learn to estimate market sizes or customer bases using basic arithmetic and logical assumptions.

👉 Want to sharpen your math skills? Practice with the Mental Math Tool!

Mirror the Qualities Kearney Looks for:

This is not about being inauthentic. Instead, it’s a strategy to demonstrate you have the qualities that Keaney looks for in candidates while being true to yourself. These attributes include:

• Insightful
• Inquisitive
• Collaboration
• Curiosity
• Analytical
• Unique thinker
• Genuine

Get Sufficient Company Knowledge:

While you will have the opportunity to ask more specific questions about the company during the interviews, you should have the general information at your fingertips. For instance, since the company has undergone some rebranding over the years, it’s important to brush up on this. Don’t refer to the consulting firm as A.T. Kearney when it’s now plain Kearney.

Conduct Mock Interviews with Peers:

If you use this tip effectively and early on, it could be your ticket to acing the Kearney case and behavioral interview. Mock interviews are essentially practice sessions where you simulate real interview scenarios. It can be with peers or coaches.

This way, you can apply your consulting or case skills in a realistic setting, receive immediate feedback on performance, and identify areas for improvement. The more you do it, the more you build up your confidence.

👉 Connect with peers on our Meeting Board and get ready together!

Get the Support of an Expert Coach:

While mock interviews are a game-changer, working with expert coaches takes you to the next level. These are often former consulting recruiters and consultants who know what you’re likely to encounter during the Kearney interview.

They go beyond the practice sessions to offer personalized guidance for your specific needs. From their in-depth feedback, strategies, and insights into the interview process, you can refine your approach and build confidence. You can focus on both case and behavior interviews with coaches.

👉 Find your perfect coach from our wide selection and take your preparation to the next level!

Key Takeaways

• The Kearney recruitment process starts with an online application followed by two rounds of interviews. Each round has two to three interviews focused on both behavioral and case assessments. In some instances, you might also get a written case and Excel skills test.
• You can expect case interviews, behavioral/fit interviews, and written cases during Kearney consulting interviews.
• Doing the right preparation can help you ace the Kearney interviews and get the coveted job offer. These steps include practicing case math, studying the company, mirroring the qualities Kearney looks for in candidates, using mock interviews, and hiring expert coaches.
• If you need help in passing Kearney interviews, consider doing mock interviews and working with professional coaches. These professionals can give you insider strategies and personalized feedback that might save you hours of prep time and build your confidence.
• It’s possible and normal to feel a little nervous even after preparation, but the work you’ve put in can only show when you stay calm and confident. Once you prepare thoroughly, take the Kearney case interview as a real-life client meeting where you’re doing your everyday work. Coaches can really help you build this up days before your big day.