Behavioral interviews are a critical part of the consulting recruiting process While candidates spend lots of time prepping for case interviews, nailing the behavioral interview is just as important for receiving a job offer
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about consulting behavioral interviews, from why they matter to specific examples of common questions and model answers.
Why Behavioral Interviews Matter
Behavioral interview questions allow consulting firms to assess if you would be a good cultural fit at their firm Specifically, they want to know
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Are you someone they would enjoy working long hours with? Consultants often spend 8+ hours a day together, so compatibility is key.
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Can you be trusted to represent their brand in front of clients? Client-facing skills are critical, since mistakes could cost the firm millions in project revenue.
In short, behavioral interviews evaluate your soft skills, personality and client-readiness. Doing poorly on them can sink your candidacy, even if you ace the case portion.
How to Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions
The best way to prepare your answers is to use the STAR method:
Situation – Set the context by briefly describing the background.
Task – Explain the challenge or goal you were tasked with.
Action – Share the actions you took to address the situation.
Result – Describe the outcomes or impact achieved through your actions.
Quantify your impact with metrics like percentage increases or dollar amounts whenever possible. This demonstrates the strength of your abilities.
It’s also crucial to research the firm’s culture and tailor your answers accordingly. If you understand their values and what makes a great fit, you can directly speak to that in your responses.
10 Common Behavioral Interview Questions
Here are some of the most frequent behavioral questions asked by consulting firms:
1. Why are you interested in consulting/our firm?
Do highlight specific conversations with firm representatives that got you excited about consulting. Demonstrate you’ve researched the firm’s specialty areas and values.
2. Walk me through your resume.
Hit your major achievements and provide context between jobs/roles. Be proud of your accomplishments.
3. Tell me about a leadership experience.
Illustrate that you motivated others through influence, not dictatorship. Show you facilitated team success.
4. Describe a time you solved a tough problem.
Demonstrate perseverance and willingness to learn from mistakes. Don’t use a “weakness as strength” approach.
5. Tell me about a conflict you faced.
Choose a real conflict and explain how you balanced both sides’ needs for a constructive resolution. Take accountability.
6. When have you convinced someone to change their mind?
Prove you can understand other perspectives, make a case, and persuade effectively. Don’t sound domineering.
7. Share an example of when you were criticized.
Describe the situation objectively, keeping emotions in check. Explain how you responded professionally and incorporated the feedback. Don’t criticize others.
8. Tell me about a time you failed.
Analyze why you failed, lessons learned, and what you’d change. Take ownership instead of blaming external factors.
9. What do you do for fun?
Be genuine. Pick a passion you can discuss at length. Don’t blow off this opportunity to show your personality.
10. Why should we hire you?
Summarize your top strengths aligned to the role. Sell yourself confidently while remaining humble and focused on contributing value to the firm.
How to Ace Your Behavioral Interview
With practice and preparation using the STAR method, you can master the consulting behavioral interview:
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Identify stories from your past experiences that demonstrate relevant skills.
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Fill out the STAR framework for each story. Practice telling the stories out loud.
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Record yourself and review the footage to improve delivery and body language.
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Research the firm to customize your answers using their values.
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Perfect your communication skills, including voice modulation, eye contact and active listening.
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Go into interviews with confidence, energy and passion. Your interviewer wants you to succeed!
The behavioral interview allows consulting firms to assess your soft skills and cultural fit. While challenging, thoughtful preparation will have you mastering this crucial part of the consulting recruiting process in no time. You’ve got this!
Consulting Behavioral & Fit Interviews | Step-By-Step Guide (2024)
What are behavioral and fit questions in a consulting interview?
For consulting interviews, behavioral and fit questions are tailored to assess how the candidate’s past experiences align with the skills and competencies required for a consulting role. This may include dealing with clients, handling complex problems, managing projects, and working effectively in a team.
How do you answer consulting Behavioral Interview questions?
DON’T blow off the question. Pick something you love enough and have put enough time into that you can discuss it for a couple of minutes. To find out more about what to say, and what NOT to say, read Common Consulting Interview Questions. The best way to answer consulting behavioral interview questions is to tell stories.
How do you answer a behavioral interview question?
Consulting behavioral interview questions assess your ability to succeed in consulting based on your past experiences. To answer them, provide specific examples from previous work, volunteer, extracurricular, or school experiences. Tell a good story to keep the interviewer engaged.
What is a management consulting behavioral interview?
Secondly, in management consulting behavioral interviews, questions are orientated towards assessing several essential qualities such as problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, and teamwork traits. These qualities are vital for consultants to succeed in the demanding environment that characterizes most consulting roles.
What type of interview questions do consulting firms ask?
Sometimes they get so anxious about case studies that they neglect the other key type of question management consulting firms ask — the fit or behavioral question. This is understandable. After all, case studies are something few people have seen before. Behavioral interview questions sound like the questions all sorts of companies ask.
What are behavioral questions in a consultancy interview?
Strong answers contain examples relevant to the position, as well as provide sufficient detail and showcase candidates’ abilities and values. In consultancy interviews, behavioral questions examine essential qualities such as leadership, teamwork, prioritization, and conflict management. Why ask behavioral questions during an interview?
