Questions to Ask During Consulting Interview
Strategic questions that demonstrate your understanding of consulting, reveal important information about the role and firm, and help you make an informed decision about your career path.
1What do you enjoy most about working at this consulting firm?
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What do you enjoy most about working at this consulting firm?
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Why this works
Reveals the interviewer's personal connection to the firm and highlights positive aspects of the consulting environment.
2How would you describe the firm's culture and what makes it unique?
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How would you describe the firm's culture and what makes it unique?
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Why this works
Provides insights into the work environment and helps you understand what sets this firm apart from competitors.
3What types of projects do consultants typically work on in their first year?
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What types of projects do consultants typically work on in their first year?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about your initial experience and reveals the scope and variety of work you'd be doing.
4How does the firm support professional development and career growth?
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How does the firm support professional development and career growth?
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Why this works
Reveals investment in employee development and opportunities for advancement within the consulting industry.
5What opportunities exist for specialization or focus areas?
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What opportunities exist for specialization or focus areas?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about long-term career development and reveals how the firm supports expertise building.
6How does the firm handle work-life balance and travel requirements?
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How does the firm handle work-life balance and travel requirements?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's approach to managing the demanding nature of consulting work and shows you're thinking about sustainability.
7What training and onboarding support do new consultants receive?
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What training and onboarding support do new consultants receive?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about the transition and reveals how the firm supports new hires during their first months.
8How does the firm approach client relationships and business development?
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How does the firm approach client relationships and business development?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's approach to client management and shows you understand the business development aspects of consulting.
9What opportunities exist for international work or global projects?
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What opportunities exist for international work or global projects?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about global experience and reveals how the firm supports international consulting work.
10How does the firm measure success and performance for consultants?
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How does the firm measure success and performance for consultants?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's approach to performance management and shows you understand what they value in consultant performance.
11What challenges do consultants typically face in their first year?
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What challenges do consultants typically face in their first year?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about potential obstacles and reveals the firm's approach to supporting consultants through challenges.
12How does the firm handle knowledge sharing and collaboration between teams?
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How does the firm handle knowledge sharing and collaboration between teams?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's approach to teamwork and shows you understand the collaborative nature of consulting work.
13What opportunities exist for mentorship and learning from senior consultants?
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What opportunities exist for mentorship and learning from senior consultants?
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Why this works
Shows you're interested in growth and reveals how the firm supports knowledge transfer and professional development.
14How does the firm approach diversity and inclusion in consulting teams?
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How does the firm approach diversity and inclusion in consulting teams?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's commitment to creating inclusive teams and shows you value diversity in professional environments.
15What are the firm's goals and priorities for the next few years?
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What are the firm's goals and priorities for the next few years?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking long-term and reveals the firm's strategic direction and focus areas.
16How does the firm handle project staffing and team assignments?
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How does the firm handle project staffing and team assignments?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's approach to project management and shows you understand how consulting teams are structured.
17What opportunities exist for thought leadership and industry involvement?
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What opportunities exist for thought leadership and industry involvement?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about building expertise and reveals how the firm supports professional visibility and industry engagement.
18How does the firm approach client feedback and project evaluation?
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How does the firm approach client feedback and project evaluation?
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Why this works
Reveals the firm's approach to quality management and shows you understand the importance of client satisfaction.
19What support is available for consultants during busy periods or high-stress projects?
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What support is available for consultants during busy periods or high-stress projects?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about sustainability and reveals how the firm supports consultant well-being during demanding periods.
20What would success look like for a consultant in this role after one year?
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What would success look like for a consultant in this role after one year?
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Why this works
Reveals specific expectations and helps you understand what the firm values in consultant performance and growth.
Best Practices for Consulting Interview Questions
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Understanding of Consulting
Ask questions that demonstrate you understand the consulting industry, the firm's approach, and the challenges and opportunities in the field.
Balance Professional and Personal
Mix questions about the work and firm culture with those about career development and work-life balance to show you're thinking holistically.
Listen for Red Flags
Pay attention to how they answer questions about challenges, work-life balance, and consultant satisfaction to identify potential issues.
Question Sequences
The Firm Culture Sequence
The Career Development Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Obvious Questions
Avoid questions you could easily find answers to on the firm's website or in basic research. Show you've done your homework.
Avoid Negative Framing
Don't ask questions that assume problems or focus on what's wrong. Frame questions positively to show optimism and solution-focused thinking.
Don't Make It All About You
Balance questions about the role with those about the firm's needs and challenges. Show you're thinking about how you can contribute.