How does one identify differences between consulting firms?

Consulting interviews are not just about your skills and knowledge — companies also want to see how well you align with their culture and values, often called "personal fit". This part of the interview is your chance to show you’re a natural addition to the team. Here’s a look at three common personal fit questions and some tips on how to answer them confidently and thoughtfully.1. Why Do You Want to Work in Consulting?One of the classic questions in any job interview is, "Why do you want to be a consultant?" Many candidates respond with generic answers, such as the chance to work on exciting projects across various industries, the opportunity to travel, or the potential for continuous personal growth. However, these answers often fall flat.Instead, aim to articulate your response more precisely and highlight personal motivations:Identify Your Areas of Personal Development.Focus on specific development areas that are crucial for consulting and reflect your personal motivations. For instance, you might mention that you value leadership and teamwork in multicultural environments, emphasizing how international projects allow you to enhance your skills in engaging with diverse cultures and backgrounds. You could also express your enthusiasm for tackling complex challenges: explain how you view these projects as valuable opportunities to sharpen your analytical and structured thinking skills.Share Personal Experiences.Talk about concrete experiences that demonstrate your ability to apply these skills successfully. If, for example, you led a multicultural team in a past project or overcame a challenge in a new field, relate those experiences to your goals in consulting. This approach shows not only your capability but also your readiness to thrive in the consulting environment.Highlight Specific Learning Goals in Consulting.Emphasize what you hope to learn or which skills you would like to deepen in your consulting career, and explain why consulting offers you the best opportunities to achieve those development goals. This connection shows how your interests align with the demands of the consulting profession.👉 Curious how the PrepLounge community would tackle the question "Why consulting?" Check out the discussion in our Consulting Q&A.

The personal fit interview is a crucial part of the selection process in consulting. It’s often underestimated by candidates who tend to focus on the challenging case interviews only. But the personal fit interview is just as important! It’s all about determining if you’ll fit well within the team and align with the company culture. Read this article to find out why the personal fit interview matters so much and how to prepare effectively.What to Expect in the Personal Fit InterviewThe personal fit interview can take place at the beginning or end of the interview process, or sometimes between other interview segments. This varies depending on the company and interview structure. For example, McKinsey often conducts a "Personal Experience Interview" (PEI) at the start or right after the case interview, while other firms like Bain or BCG are more flexible with the format. The personal fit interview usually only lasts 10 to 15 minutes, but don’t take it too easy. Consulting is a people's-business, so it’s crucial that you not only convince on a professional, but also on a personal level. Interviewers want to see that you’ll fit in as a team player and will become a valuable colleague.What Questions Are Asked in the Personal Fit Interview?The Personal Fit Interview isn’t about your technical qualifications; instead, it’s about getting to know you. Interviewers want to find out what motivates you, how you respond to challenges, and which experiences have shaped you. Here are the three main question categories you can expect:1. Resume QuestionsMost personal fit interviews start with questions about your resume. This allows interviewers to learn about the experiences you’ve gained and the skills you bring. They also get a sense of how you reflect on your past roles, helping them understand your personality. Sample questions include:"Tell us about yourself.""What challenges have you overcome in your career so far?""What areas did you focus on in your studies, and why?"2. Stress QuestionsStress questions are designed to test your resilience, self-reflection, and emotional stability. They help interviewers to evaluate how you handle unexpected or challenging situations and assess your ability to stay calm under pressure. These questions often present provocative or uncomfortable scenarios, allowing them to observe your reaction. Common examples include:"Why were your grades low that semester?""Are you really ready to make sacrifices for this job?""Why should we choose you?"👉 Try our Stress Question Tool to train your responses.