Good Questions to Ask Consulting Coffee Chat
Insightful questions to understand consulting life, career trajectory, and whether the firm and role are the right fit for you.
1What does a typical week look like for you in your current role?
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What does a typical week look like for you in your current role?
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Why this works
Provides realistic day-to-day context beyond recruiting pitches and job descriptions.
2What drew you to consulting, and how has your perspective evolved since joining?
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What drew you to consulting, and how has your perspective evolved since joining?
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Why this works
Reveals motivations and whether the reality matched expectations.
3How would you describe the firm's culture compared to other places you've worked or know of?
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How would you describe the firm's culture compared to other places you've worked or know of?
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Why this works
Invites honest comparison and helps you understand cultural differentiators.
4What's been the most rewarding project or client engagement you've worked on?
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What's been the most rewarding project or client engagement you've worked on?
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Why this works
Shows what work is valued and what types of problems are most fulfilling.
5What's been the most challenging aspect of consulting that you didn't expect?
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What's been the most challenging aspect of consulting that you didn't expect?
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Why this works
Surfaces hidden pain points and whether you're prepared for the realities.
6How is work-life balance, and what does the firm do to support it (or not)?
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How is work-life balance, and what does the firm do to support it (or not)?
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Why this works
Gets at real hours and whether sustainability is a priority or just rhetoric.
7How much input do you have over project staffing and the work you take on?
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How much input do you have over project staffing and the work you take on?
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Why this works
Clarifies whether you'll have agency over your career or be assigned wherever needed.
8What does professional development look like—training, mentorship, or learning on the job?
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What does professional development look like—training, mentorship, or learning on the job?
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Why this works
Shows how skill-building is supported and whether growth is structured or ad-hoc.
9How has your career progressed since you started, and what made those transitions possible?
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How has your career progressed since you started, and what made those transitions possible?
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Why this works
Provides insight into advancement timelines and what behaviors or outcomes drive promotion.
10What's the team dynamic like—collaborative, competitive, or somewhere in between?
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What's the team dynamic like—collaborative, competitive, or somewhere in between?
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Why this works
Reveals whether the culture rewards teamwork or individual achievement.
11How does the firm handle travel expectations post-pandemic?
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How does the firm handle travel expectations post-pandemic?
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Why this works
Clarifies whether you'll be on the road constantly or if hybrid/remote is now standard.
12What types of clients and industries do you typically work with?
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What types of clients and industries do you typically work with?
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Why this works
Shows the variety and whether you'll get exposure to areas you're interested in.
13How does feedback work here—formal reviews, informal check-ins, or project debriefs?
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How does feedback work here—formal reviews, informal check-ins, or project debriefs?
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Why this works
Assesses how you'll know if you're on track and whether coaching is built in.
14What advice would you give your younger self before starting in consulting?
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What advice would you give your younger self before starting in consulting?
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Why this works
Invites reflection and often surfaces lessons learned the hard way.
15How does the firm support consultants who want to specialize versus stay generalist?
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How does the firm support consultants who want to specialize versus stay generalist?
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Why this works
Clarifies whether depth or breadth is valued and whether you can build expertise.
16What do people who leave the firm typically go on to do?
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What do people who leave the firm typically go on to do?
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Why this works
Assesses exit opportunities and whether consulting is a launchpad or destination.
17How does the firm approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice?
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How does the firm approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice?
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Why this works
Shows whether DEI is real or performative and how it shows up day-to-day.
18What's something you wish you'd known before accepting your offer?
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What's something you wish you'd known before accepting your offer?
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Why this works
Invites candor and often reveals insights you won't get from recruiters.
19How connected do you feel to leadership, and are junior consultants' voices heard?
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How connected do you feel to leadership, and are junior consultants' voices heard?
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Why this works
Assesses hierarchy and whether the firm is top-down or values input from all levels.
20Would you make the same choice to join this firm again, knowing what you know now?
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Would you make the same choice to join this firm again, knowing what you know now?
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Why this works
A direct, high-signal question that often reveals true satisfaction or regret.
Making the Most of Coffee Chats
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.