RSM Consulting Interview Guide

As a student or graduate, a career in consulting at RSM, although it seems a bit intriguing at first, gives you a marvelous opportunity to show off your skills. However, you must undergo a rigorous recruitment process to land a job there. 💼

This article will walk you through everything you need to know — from what RSM Consulting is all about to how to ace your interviews.

Overview of RSM Consulting

Before discussing interviews, let’s get to know RSM Consulting a little better. RSM is one of the world’s leading audit, tax, and consulting services providers.

With a global network of over 57,000 professionals, the company offers many consulting services to help businesses solve challenges, grow, and stay ahead of change. Their expertise spans several key areas, each designed to meet unique client needs.

RSM Consulting helps clients implement software solutions like ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) to run their operations well and improve customer experiences. For example, they assist in integrating Microsoft Dynamics 365 to boost efficiency. Their Data and Digital Services go a step further. The firm provides its clientele with tools to turn raw data into insights, which aids it in making better decisions for current and future operations. 💻✨

RSM also advises clients on budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, and other financial matters. For instance, they help companies assess financial health before major investments or acquisitions. Furthermore, organizations rely on RSM for strategic guidance that includes improving operational workflows and managing organizational changes.

Not only that, RSM supports businesses in adopting cloud solutions and maintaining IT infrastructure. They ensure smooth transitions to platforms like Azure while strengthening cybersecurity. To reduce potential risks, RSM offers help here, too, and provides expertise in areas like regulatory compliance and fraud prevention. A common project might involve building a risk management framework for a client.

What Is the Recruitment Process at RSM Consulting Like?

RSM Early Careers Program has a well-structured recruitment process designed to identify talented students and graduates who coincide with the company’s values and goals. 🎯

For students who are two to three years from graduation, RSM provides internships that offer real-world exposure to consulting projects. These opportunities allow interns to work with professionals on strategic and operational challenges in different industries, like assisting in areas like data analytics, business strategy, and process improvement​.

RSM also offers full-time opportunities for graduates designed to build their skills with structured training and hands-on experience at the start.

Let’s take a look at the 4-stage complete RSM Consulting interview process for student internship and graduate entry level roles, so you know what you have to go through:

Application Submission

To get started, visit the RSM career page. From there, select the location where you are interested in working, a full-time or part-time role, and then select “Consulting” in the job category drop-down menu.

Next, you’ll see listings advertised by RSM under the consulting niche. Find a role, whether it’s an internship or a full-time role, select it, and then click “Apply” to apply with your LinkedIn profile or your resume.

Online Test

If your application makes the cut, you’ll be invited to complete two online assessments. One is the RSM situational strengths test, and the other is the RSM numerical reasoning test. Both of these tests take about an hour.

The situational strength test presents you with a series of hypothetical scenarios that closely match what you may encounter as an RSM employee. This is to evaluate your range of skills, including:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Decision making
• Teamwork

The numerical reasoning test evaluates your ability to simplify and analyze numerical data in a set of questions with charts, graphs, and tables, and you are required to draw logical conclusions from them.

👉 Practice with our Numerical Reasoning Drills

Video Interview

Next, you’ll face a video interview through a video conferencing platform. This stage is all about getting to know you better. Expect behavioral and competency-based questions, so be prepared to share examples of your past experiences.

Onsite Interviews

If the RSM recruiters shortlist you after the video interview, you are then invited to an office near you to be involved in two 30-minute interviews. In these interviews, you’ll meet with a manager and a partner. You’re likely to go through a case study and answer further fit and technical questions related to the role you’ve applied for.

Clearing the interviews at the assessment center almost guarantees your role as a consultant at RSM. Next, recruiters will contact you with a job offer, and the process of onboarding will follow through shortly with background checks, etc.

What Is the Timeline for the Recruiting Process at RSM?

The recruitment process at RSM Consulting, especially for the New Careers Program, is usually spread across a few weeks to a couple of months, and that, too, depends on the particular role and the number of applicants. Here’s a rough timeline after you submit your application:

• Online Assessments: 1-2 weeks after you submit the application.
• Video Interview: 1-2 weeks after completing the online assessments.
• Assessment Centre Interviews: Within 2-3 weeks after the video interview.
• Offer: Usually within a day after clearing final interviews for consulting roles.

What Questions Should You Expect in RSM Interviews?

The questions in RSM interviews are designed to assess your technical knowledge, consulting skills, cultural fit, and behavioral questions. 💬 Let’s explore the type of questions you may need to answer:

Behavioral and Cultural Fit Questions

RSM recruiters ask these questions during the video interview and the second interview at the assessment center. Here are some examples:

• What do you see in the future for the consulting industry?
• Tell me about a time when you had to rely on someone else’s expertise to complete a task successfully.
• How do you ensure open and effective communication when working in a team with diverse perspectives?
• How do you build trust with your teammates and clients, especially when addressing their unique challenges?
• Tell me about a time when your analysis or recommendation brought a creative solution to a problem that impacted a group project.
• Can you share a time when you had to adapt quickly to new information or a changing environment?
• Give an example of how you handled feedback from a client or stakeholder that challenged your original approach.
• Tell me about an instance where your initial plan didn’t work, and you had to pivot quickly. What was the outcome?

👉 Would you like to answer more practice questions? Then be sure to check out our stress question mode!

Online Assessment Questions

The online assessment at RSM Consulting tests your ability to handle real-world challenges and analyze quantitative data — both essential skills for consulting roles!

Example scenario of a situational judgment test (SJT):

You’re working on two critical projects for different clients, both with tight deadlines. A senior consultant asks you to prioritize their project over the other, but you know this will delay the second client’s deliverables. What do you do?

1. Agree to prioritize the senior consultant’s project and inform the other client of a delay.
2. Speak with your manager to discuss balancing both projects without compromising quality.
3. Work overtime to ensure both projects are completed on time.
4. Focus on the second client’s deliverables, as the senior consultant can handle their project independently.

The correct answer: B

Example scenario of numerical reasoning test (graph form):

A company has a total revenue of $12 million and operating expenses of $9 million. What is the company’s profit margin?

1. 20%
2. 25%
3. 30%
4. 35%

The correct answer: B

Assessment Center

In the first interview at the RSM assessment center, you’ll participate in a case study and come up with an answer. Here is one example:

A mid-sized retail chain is experiencing declining profits despite stable sales. The client has noticed increasing operating costs over the past two years and suspects inefficiencies in their supply chain and inventory management processes. They have asked RSM to analyze the problem and propose actionable solutions.

1. How would you approach identifying the key issues impacting the client’s profitability?
2. What data would you request from the client to support your analysis?
3. Present a framework to assess the efficiency of their supply chain and inventory processes.
4. If you discover that the inventory turnover ratio is significantly lower than the industry average, what recommendations would you make to address this?
5. Suggest cost-saving measures the client could implement without compromising product quality or customer experience.

The second interview with the partner consists of fit and behavioral questions, as discussed above.

👉 Would you like to solve more cases? Explore our Case Library, where you'll find cases on various topics such as Market Sizing, Audit and Pricing.

How Can You Prepare for RSM Interviews?

Preparation is key to acing RSM consulting interviews, and two effective strategies to focus on are mock interviews and professional coaching.

Mock interviews help you get familiar with the video interview, the interview with the RSM partner, and the case study. You can practice answering clearly with examples that show problem-solving, teamwork, and analytical thinking. One good practice is to engage with a peer or mentor to act as the interviewer. By replicating the real interview experience, you’ll get valuable feedback on your responses and feel more prepared and less nervous on the big day.

👉 Use our meeting board to find peers with whom to conduct mock interviews. Get started now!

Coaching takes your preparation a step further. A professional coach can provide tailored advice for consulting roles, which helps you refine your approach to case studies, frame compelling answers to fit questions, and navigate tricky scenarios. They offer tips on structuring responses, interpreting data, and showcasing your skills in a way that aligns with RSM’s values. A coach can also help you identify areas for improvement and make sure you’re presenting yourself as a confident and well-rounded candidate.

👉 Check out all PrepLounge coaches here!

Key Takeaways

RSM Consulting interviews aren’t just about proving yourself — they’re also an opportunity to learn more about the exciting opportunities the company offers. Although preparing for these interviews can feel like a big step, mock interviews with peers and a coach on your side will get you ready to impress the interviewer. Every question is a chance to show your potential and how you can bring value to the team.

So, take a deep breath, believe in your abilities, and give it your best. This could be the start of an incredible journey with RSM, and they’re looking for someone just like you to make a difference. 🚀