Most consulting recruits stress out about the dreaded case interview. Fit or behavioral interviews are also a good way to show who you are, why you want to work there, and how well you fit in with the company’s culture.
Before your interview, practice answering common questions. This will help you remember important details, sound more confident, and increase your chances of getting your dream job. You should be ready for these common consulting interview questions, and here are some examples of how to answer them.
Interviewing at Loft9 Consulting can be an intense and challenging process. The firm is known for its rigorous case-based interviews that test candidates’ problem-solving abilities under pressure. With thorough preparation, however, you can master the Loft9 interview and land your dream consulting job. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through what to expect during the different rounds of the Loft9 interview process and provide tips and strategies to help you shine throughout.
Overview of the Loft9 Interview Process
The Loft9 interview typically consists of three rounds:
Round 1: Recruiter Screen
The first round is a 30 minute phone screening with a recruiter. The recruiter will assess your resume, academic and professional background, and interest in consulting. They will ask questions about your experience and motivations and ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Expect behavioral and fit questions in this round, such as “Why consulting?” and “Why Loft9?”.
Round 2 1-on-1 Case Interviews
If you pass the first round screening, the next round consists of 1-on-1 case interviews with consultants. You will complete 2 or 3 of these 45 minute case interviews back-to-back. The focus here is on analytical skills and structuring logical solutions to business problems. Interviewers will present you with an ambiguous business scenario and evaluate your thought process as you ask relevant questions and suggest an action plan. Cases test a range of skills including:
- Structuring unstructured problems
- Quantitative analysis
- Business and financial acumen
- Communication and presentation
Round 3 Partner Interview
If you perform well in the case round, you will progress to a final interview with a Loft9 partner. This is more conversational and focuses on cultural fit. Partners will try to assess your leadership potential, collaborative abilities, and commitment to the firm. They may ask you situational questions like “Tell me about a time you led a difficult project” or behavioral questions like “How do you respond to conflict on a team?”
Tips for Acing the Recruiter Screen
The recruiter screen sets the stage for the rest of your Loft9 interviews, so it is important to make a strong first impression. Here are some tips:
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Review your resume and qualifications – Be prepared to walk through your resume in detail and provide examples that highlight skills relevant to consulting like problem-solving, leadership, collaboration, and communication.
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Know your story – Have a compelling narrative prepared about your background, interests in consulting, and motivations for applying to Loft9. Tie it back to your long-term career goals.
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Research Loft9 – Understand Loft9’s focus areas, office locations, company culture, and recent news. Speak knowledgeably about why the firm appeals to you.
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Prepare questions for the recruiter – Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the firm and role. Inquire about day-to-day responsibilities, training programs, company culture, or recent projects.
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Convey enthusiasm and confidence – Smile, make eye contact if video interviewing, and emphasize how the role aligns with your goals. Recruiters want candidates who are excited about Loft9.
Mastering the Case Interview
Case interviews are the most critical and challenging part of the Loft9 process. With practice, these interactive problems can be mastered. Here are tips to excel:
Understand the Case Interview Format
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Cases begin with the interviewer presenting a business scenario. Take notes and listen carefully without interrupting.
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After the prompt, you should clarify or restate the case details to confirm understanding. Ask any additional relevant questions about the problem.
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Proceed to think out loud through your approach to solving the problem. Share your overall framework and recommendations in a *structured, logical manner.
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Engage in a conversation with your interviewer. They may interject to ask you to expand on certain points or guide you in a different direction.
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Wrap up with a clear summary of your analysis and proposed solutions or next steps. Reiterate key takeaways.
Develop a Structured Approach
Structure and framework are crucial for case interviews. Follow this methodology:
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Clarify key objectives and stakeholders
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Analyze potential root causes of the business issue
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Identify 3-4 options or scenarios to evaluate
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Conduct quantitatively-driven financial analysis on each option
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Weigh pros and cons of each option
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Propose final recommendations and implementation considerations
Verbalize your structured process to demonstrate strategic thinking.
Practice Common Case Frameworks
Learn business frameworks frequently used in cases such as:
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SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
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Porter’s Five Forces (competitive analysis)
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4 Ps of marketing (Product, Price, Place, Promotion)
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Growth strategy frameworks (market penetration, product/market expansion, diversification)
Having a diverse toolkit of frameworks shows business acumen.
Brush Up on Math Skills
Quantitative analysis is key in cases. Review basic business and math concepts like:
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Business metrics – revenue, profit, margin, market share
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Financial statements – income statements, balance sheets, cash flows
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Valuation – NPV, IRR
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Estimation – rounding, percentages, fractions, ratios
Perform quick mental math without relying on a calculator.
Practice Diligently
Success in case interviews depends on diligent practice. Put in the work to internalize frameworks and build problem-solving speed:
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Conduct mock interviews with colleagues and mentors
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Practice cases from online resources and case books
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Participate in case workshops or bootcamps for intensive preparation
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Review sample Loft9 cases available online
With rigorous practice, you can develop confidence and fluidity in addressing cases.
Acing the Partner Interview
The partner interview is your final opportunity to prove you belong at the firm. Here are tips for finishing strong:
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Dress professionally – Formal business attire makes the right impression.
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Show enthusiasm – Reiterate your interest and highlight your relevant skills and experience.
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Ask smart questions – Inquiring about their role, career path, or firm vision shows engagement.
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Focus on fit – Emphasize your work ethic, team orientation, and desire to take on challenges.
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Be genuine – Partners want to understand who you are beyond your resume. Let your personality shine.
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Follow up promptly – Send a thank you email reaffirming your interest in the firm.
By preparing thoroughly and authentically engaging each interviewer, you can put your best foot forward throughout the Loft9 process and land the consulting job of your dreams. With passion, diligent practice, and a strategic approach, you will be well on your path to becoming a Loft9 consultant.
Get Inspiration from Others
Do mock consulting interviews with friends or mentors to get feedback and practice your skills. It’s also helpful to hear other people’s answers.
Networking events can provide valuable insights that you can incorporate into your answers.
Examples of Consulting Fit Questions
This is often the first question in an interview, so make a good one! Show that you’re confident, interesting, and friendly, but don’t go on and on about all your experiences. Another variation of this question is “Walk me through your resume. ”.
Start your answer with a strong sentence that briefly describes yourself. Then, list your most recent and most relevant experiences. Mention past experiences that support your fit as a strong consulting candidate.
Let’s look at an example:
Candidate: I’m graduating this June with a degree in business and a focus on marketing. Internships and other activities outside of school have helped me develop strong leadership, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that will help me get a job as a consultant.
For instance, I was President of the Consulting Club at my college and planned events to help students learn about the consulting business. This experience taught me how to effectively communicate with others and lead a team.
I did a marketing internship at a tech startup last summer, where I created their social media strategy and looked at data on how engaged their users were. This experience taught me the importance of data-driven decision-making and how to effectively communicate insights to my managers.
In addition, I’ve also served as a Residence Advisor for my college’s dorm program. Through this role, I honed my problem-solving skills and learned how to resolve conflicts effectively.
Overall, I’m excited about the chance to use my skills in consulting, where I can keep learning and growing while making a real difference.
Remember: Keep your answer concise and focused on the most relevant experiences and skills. You will give detailed examples when answering specific behavioral questions later in the interview.
The “Why consulting?” question allows the interviewer to gauge your interest and understanding of the consulting industry.
Instead of writing down all the reasons you want to be a consultant, you should use a structured approach to show this. Start with a brief introduction of why consulting is your top career choice. To support your answer, provide 2 to 3 compelling reasons why you are interested in consulting.
Here’s an example:
Candidate: I’m excited to go into consulting because it offers a wide range of projects, the chance to work with smart people, and chances to solve problems.
As President of the Consulting Club, I’ve learned about a lot of different fields and the interesting projects that consulting firms work on, such as mining or private equity.
Working in a team environment is exciting to me, as I believe diverse perspectives lead to better results. In my past marketing internship, I worked cross-functionally with data scientists and learned a lot from them.
Consulting is a good way to hone my problem-solving skills across many industries. Growing up, I played chess competitively and enjoyed the strategy behind the game.
Consulting firms want to make sure that their job offer doesn’t go to someone who isn’t really interested in working for them.
To impress the interviewer, explain compelling reasons why their firm is your top choice. Some examples include:
- Why do you want to join that particular office (e. g. , the Houston office works on mining projects, and you want to learn more about that field)?
- Why do you believe you fit in with the culture?
- Who did you meet that made a good impression? Name some people at work that you got along with.
- Do you want to work on certain types of consulting projects or lead thought leadership? g. , artificial intelligence research, social impact work)?.
Make it specific. If your answer can apply to another consulting firm, change the messaging to make it more personal.
Let’s look at an example:
Candidate: I’ve talked to a few Bain consultants and know that it’s the best company for my career goals and where I can make a real difference.
One of the main reasons why I’m drawn to Bain is its dominance in private equity consulting. Alex is a consultant in the London office. When I talked to him, he told me about his six months working in the private equity group, where he analyzed survey data and did market research.
I’m also impressed by Bain’s local staffing model, which helps me build strong relationships and find mentors in my home office.
Additionally, the culture at Bain is unparalleled. “A Bainie never lets another Bainie fail” is one of my favorite sayings because it makes me feel like I will do well here and have lots of chances to grow.
Highlight something that you’ve devoted more time to than the average person. Pick a real interest that shows off your drive and enthusiasm, and be ready to talk about how this activity has helped you grow as a person and in your career.
For example, you could talk about a unique hobby or a volunteer job where you made a big difference.
This is your chance to share something unique about yourself that isn’t on your one-page resume. Not only do they want to know that you work hard, but they also want to know that you’re friendly and easy to get along with.
It could be something you’re really interested in or something that happened to you as a child that has changed your life forever. For example, maybe you did karate from 7 to 15 years old, and that helped you learn how to be dedicated, persistent, and work with others.
Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89. 6% of our clients pass the case interview. Your Name Your Email Your Background (Choose from below).
15 Consulting Interview Questions You WILL Get Asked
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