Baringa Summer Internship Interview

Hi Sarod,

I would not expect to be tested on your technical knowledge.  Based on my research, I don't see that they are looking for you to display technical knowledge in the interviews.  

That being said, you should be able to determine what technical knowledge you would need to solve certain problem and what you would do with that knowledge once you obtained it (e.g. what is the question you are trying to answer, what knowledge do you need to solve it, what the next steps would be after it's solved).  That's the skills they are looking for.

Hope that helps - please reach out for more if you wish.

Best of luck!

Allen

Hi, it's likely that while your chosen business unit preferences might inform the context of some interview questions, Baringa's assessment process is designed to evaluate your analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills rather than deep technical expertise in those areas; the case interview will focus on your ability to break down problems, and the CV interview will help them understand your motivation and potential fit, so even if you don't have extensive technical knowledge, you can still succeed by showcasing your transferable skills and critical thinking. It might be beneficial to familiarize yourself with some basic concepts related to Data, AI, Solutions and Engineering as well as Financial Services so that you can speak intelligently about them, but overall, focus on your strengths and your ability to learn quickly. Best, Alessa

Hi,

I once coached someone who had gone through internship of Baringa. My coachee did not have a 'relevant' background. 

As a management consulting firm, they will be testing your thinking and problem solving more than content per se. 

So - i will focus on preparing for the typical MBB type of interviews - if you are able to do well on those formats, there's no reason you won't be able to do well on Baringa. The principles behind the interview are similar. 

I too came from a non-traditional background (history major), so if you want some tips about prep feel free to read my article:

Breaking into consulting from a non-traditional background

All the best!

Hi there,

Focus on learning how to case, not on technicalities!

• The key reason why candidates fail their case interviews and don't improve with practice is because they never learn the right approach and techniques to begin with. They might go through 30-40 cases, just repeating the same mistakes over and over again. There is often no strong baseline.

• Make sure you understand and learn the basics for each part of the case (structuring, charts, math), which is

  • A replicable step-by-step for each part of the case interview

  • The right thinking techniques around the individual parts (e.g., what's a framework, what is evaluated, how can I ensure I think about it the correct way, what are some shortcuts to get to the answer quickly, etc.)

  • Simple communication templates to help you communicate your insights as well as ask for data in the right way to drive the case forward

• There are several approaches you can take, such as hiring a skilled coach, reading the right materials, or enrolling in relevant courses. 

• Avoid generic advice and framework memorization approaches. This will only hurt your performance and waste a ton of time (why -> check out the first post here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-goodrelevant-is-the-case-in-point-book-for-case-prep-1984)

• Once you have that baseline it's time to practice and internalize the skills to create the right profile, polishing your strengths and lifting your weaknesses to a robust-enough level

• Practice drills alone (structure, chart, math) and practice full cases with other excellent candidates that know the right habits and approach. It is crucial that you are practicing with really good peers, otherwise, it's a waste of time. Practicing drills on your own is a huge effectivity and efficiency booster since you can go over many more questions in a shorter amount of time compared to practicing with peers. Do both in parallel! You want to spend your time where it is most useful, e.g., if you struggle with math focus on math drills, etc.

• Focus on quality over quantity. Doing 50+ cases does not mean much if you are not applying the right habits to score high and do a detailed debrief after every case to improve. You want to move from bad to good for your weaknesses and good to great for your strengths --> use the feedback from your previous experience and tailor your prep accordingly

• Consider booking at least an initial coaching session to get a detailed and objective evaluation of your performance + learn the right habits for every case regardless of context and framework + get a tailored preparation plan out of the session that will set you up for an effective and efficient prep.

• It does not hurt to focus a bit more on the relevant industries/context of your interviewer/the company but chances are that not every case will be from that niche!

• Don't forget the fit interview part. Prepare answers for all the typical fit questions and stories (3-5 hours) and rehearse them a couple of times (5 hours)

Time is short so make the most of it!

All the best and fingers crossed,

Florian

That’s a great opportunity! While you may not have deep technical knowledge, consulting firms like Baringa often focus more on problem-solving ability, structured thinking, and adaptability rather than expecting candidates to be experts upfront. Your background in AI ethics and policy is still highly relevant, especially for discussions around AI governance and responsible tech. Be prepared to showcase your ability to learn quickly, think critically, and communicate ideas clearly—that’s what really matters in these interviews.

Hey there,

I've worked with candidates that were in the Baringa recruiting pool. In summary, they don't ask for deep technical depth in their interviews - but will rather be looking for evidence of problem solving ability and general consulting analytical and conceptual skills. 

All the best