Do I just tell them?
Looking to do entry-level consulting, I used a partner to refer me for an interview at a mid-market firm (think IBM/BAH). I just got an email saying they received my resume through a referral and would like to set up a phone call to introduce the firm and tell me about the opportunities and that it shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes.
Is this considered an interview that I need to prep for?
When I submitted the application I listed that I wanted to be in the management consulting program. Should I just come out and say that or do I essentially need to do a little dance with them and allow them to suggest it. I'm thinking I might be ushered into their Systems Implementation department, which I'd rather avoid...
Everything and anything is an interview, so be prepared to introduce yourself to the firm as they are introducing themselves to you.
If you want to do management consulting, know why and have your story down. I would guess its HR, so they will be analyzing your social interaction, professionalism, drive, interest, etc. You need to make them like you since that now have the power to send your resume down a number of paths.
Took the words out of my mouth. I would be ready for anything. I was once given a mini-case in a similar situation to this. Turns out I was referred to the wrong department and they were looking for someone with marketing experience. Either way, go into it with an open mind. If they suggest you go in a direction you are not interested in, it's fair to express your feelings, but be polite and have your reasons thought out before.
if its ibm or BAH, it won't be very hard interview granted my experience is a few years dated, but neither is anything more than just tell me about yourself or a time you showed leadership or blah blah blah. If you want to be a consultant answering those questions should be pretty second nature.
Will those types of questions come up in this short of an interview?
A typical phone interview is thirty minutes. Just expect them to ask you some questions as well. I have turned an thirty minute interview into an hour. Sometimes you and the interviewer lose track of time. Consider it a pre-screen call and that they will decide if you are worth more of their time. Good luck
Anyone know what type of questions they will be asking? Do I essentially have to sell them on why I'm good for management consulting?
Yes, that's correct. They are likely asking you questions in these areas:
Bio - you wilk likely be asked to run them through your CV, covering your degree, internships, extracurriculars, personal background, and why you're now interested in going into consultancy. It will be important to 'connect the dots' and also explain any surprising breaks in the track (eg why did you focus on sciences in HS but go for econ in college). This is always a great intro and they could take deep dives into individual aspects of experiences so know the stuff on your CV well.
Skills and traits - McKinsey ask you explicitly for past experiences that show your leadership, drive, etc (check out their interview prep site, which should give you some good ideas). Prep these little stories well and don't make anything up as you may be caught out. Other aspects to look at are strengths and weaknesses, examples for where you worked in teams on difficult issues, examples for where you failed and what you learnt from that, etc.
Motivation - already mentioned in 1 but make sure you understand what type of work the area you're applying for does exactly and explain why you're interested in it. Make this genuine; I often quickly lose interest in applicants when they go on rephrasing the vague stuff on our website on what it is that we do. It helps to know juniors in firms that you are applying to, or are similar, and get a good grasp of what the cases you'll get to work on actually involve.
I don't think none of these are particularly difficult areas to prep but I've seen a lot of kids mess this up, often due to limited or no preparation. Also, it's unlikely they will ask you non-fit questions like brainteasers or smaller cases but always good to cover all eventualities in your prep.
As an addition to the above, have a good few questions for the interviewer as well. Classically, this would be an overview on typical cases, or how consultants develop their career typically within the firm or outside of it.
Thanks m2, SB to you. Any more ideas for questions from them or to them is much appreciated
Any chance anybody is available for a run through via Skype before Wednesday?
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