15+ Interview Questions for Consultants [+ Sample Responses]

When people think of consulting interviews, they immediately think of case study questions. You know the ones: you're given a hypothetical problem and asked to analyze a situation and recommend a solution.

However, solving cases is only half the battle. You also need to answer behavioral questions that assess your experience, skills, and fit for the job.

Here, we'll cover 15+ questions that will likely come up in consulting interviews — and discuss best practices for nailing them.

How to Answer Behavioral Questions

The best way to answer behavioral questions is with stories. They demonstrate your impact in an engaging way and have the power to stick in your interviewer's mind long after the interview is over.

However, these questions are not an invitation to go on lengthy tangents about your professional life. You still need structure.

One way to add structure is by using the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here's how it works:

• Situation: Start by describing the situation. Give adequate details about the setting, the people involved, and any relevant background information.
• Task: Next, describe the task or challenge at hand. For instance, what was your main objective? What obstacles did you face?
• Action: Describe the specific actions you took to address the situation. Don't be vague here. Explain your thought process and decision-making.
• Result: Lastly, describe the outcome of your actions. Be sure to focus on the positive results. You can also address any challenges along the way.

It's also important to tailor your stories to the specific job. For example, if the role requires you to work independently, prepare some examples of when you mastered a project solo.

Common Interview Questions for Consultants

Fit Questions

Leadership Questions

Industry Questions

Experience and Background Questions

Conflict Resolution Questions

Fit Questions for Consultants

1. Tell me about yourself.

If there's one question you're bound to encounter during an interview, it's "Tell me about yourself."

Because the question is so open-ended, it can be difficult to know where to start. To get the ball rolling, here's a good "formula" to structure your answer:

1. Describe who you are
2. Describe why you're qualified
3. Describe why you're here

Let's look at an example:

"My name is [Your Name], and I've been a consultant for [Number of Years]. I specialize in [Area of Expertise], which includes [Specific Area 1] and [Specific Area 2]. My clients typically come to me for help with [Problem or Challenge]. For example, I recently worked with a software company to [Achievement 1] and [Achievement 2]. I really enjoy [Specific Part of Job], and I'm excited to bring the experience I've gained to the team at [Company]."

2. Why do you want to work for our company?

Before the interview, research the types of projects the company takes on, as well as its values, culture, and mission. In your answer, highlight the specific aspect that resonates with you. The more specific you can be, the better.

For instance, "I'm excited about the opportunity to work for [Company Name] because of its reputation for (or commitment to) [Specific Quality]. I've been following the company's work closely, and I've been impressed by [Achievement 1] and [Achievement 2]. I'm also eager to work for a company that prioritizes [Culture Callout 1], [Culture Callout 2], and [Culture Callout 3]. These are values that align with my own professional goals, and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with a team that shares these values."

3. Why consulting?

Consulting is a highly competitive field, and firms are looking for people who have a "spark" for this type of work. By asking, "Why consulting?" interviewers can identify candidates who have a genuine interest in the industry and are willing to put in the effort to learn, grow, and develop their skills.

When answering this question, focus on two or three aspects of consulting you enjoy most.

For example, "I like tackling tough issues and developing new solutions. But, ultimately, I'm motivated by knowing that the work I do has a meaningful impact. In one of my first jobs, I helped to develop a digital marketing campaign for a small business that grew its revenue by 15% within eight months. Accomplishments like that really motivate me to do my best."

4. Why are you the best person for this position? / What can you bring to this role?

This question is similar to an elevator pitch. It's also when you really need to sell yourself and your skills.

Identify one or two relevant examples demonstrating your ability to meet the expectations outlined in the job description. These may include specific projects you worked on, accomplishments you achieved, or skills you developed.

Then, think about the strengths and skills that make you stand out as a candidate. Focus on the ones that are most relevant to the position.

For example, "My expertise in carbon management, along with my desire to work on tough problems, makes me a strong candidate for this position. I have a proven track record of helping clients develop practical and sustainable solutions that consider cost-benefit."

And remember, always finish your answer by expressing enthusiasm for the position — such as, "Overall, I am confident that my skills and experience make me the ideal candidate for this position, and I look forward to the opportunity to make a positive impact in this role."

Leadership Questions for Consultants

5. What is your leadership style?

This question allows the interviewer to assess your leadership style and determine if it aligns with the organization's culture.

For instance, if you describe your leadership style as, say, authoritarian, you may not fare well at a company that prioritizes collaboration and community.

When answering this question, start by describing your leadership philosophy and follow it with an example of how you've put that philosophy into action. Take a look at the example below:

"I would describe my leadership style as collaborative and empowering. I believe in building strong relationships with team members and empowering them to take ownership of their work. For example, in my last position, I successfully [Achievement]. I did this by [Describe Process]. I believe these elements create a positive and productive working environment."

6. Describe a time you had to lead a team through a difficult challenge.

This is a common behavioral question that consultants face in an interview. It's designed to test how you perform in times of difficulty and uncertainty.

Pick a relevant example and explain why the problem was challenging and how you overcame it. Don't be vague here. List out the steps you took and the reasoning behind them. This will help the interviewer understand your problem-solving process.

Let's look at an example:

"A few years ago, I was working for a client in the [Specific Industry]. The client was facing several challenges related to [Main Issue], which was causing [Describe Symptoms]. One of the biggest challenges was [Insert Challenge]. To address the root cause of the issue, I [Describe Steps]. Then, I developed a strategy that involved [Describe Remedy Plan]. Ultimately, we were able to [End Result], which led to [Positive Outcome]."

Industry Questions for Consultants

7. What are the biggest challenges facing this industry?

This question is an opportunity to flex your knowledge and passion for your industry. However, you don't need to overwhelm the interviewer with a detailed analysis of its greatest problems. Instead, narrow your focus to one or two challenges.

For instance, a marketing consultant may say, "One of the biggest challenges I see is that consumers want more personalization. With so many brands vying for their attention, marketers need to create campaigns that stand out, are highly personalized, and make a meaningful impact."

Conclude your answer with a positive spin by describing how you're approaching these challenges — or developing certain skills to keep up with these changes.

For example, "I work with clients to develop unique value propositions and messaging that sets them apart from the competition. I do this by using data and analytics to learn more about customer behavior and preferences. I'm also experimenting with artificial intelligence to see how we can deliver personalized experiences at scale. I'm excited to see where that goes."

8. What are the biggest opportunities facing this industry?

This question is designed to test your knowledge of the industry and where you see potential growth.

For instance: "One area that comes to mind is the emergence of AI. I think it presents a huge opportunity to optimize marketing campaigns — especially with customer segmentation and targeting. We can now use AI to analyze vast amounts of data on customer behavior. This allows us to segment our audiences more accurately and target them with more personalized messaging. I'm already testing different AI tools, and I'm excited to see how this technology can help my clients streamline their marketing efforts."

Experience and Background Questions for Consultants

9. What types of consulting projects do you have experience working on?

Here, the interviewer is gauging whether your experience aligns with the position's requirements. However, this isn't an invitation to recite every bullet point on your resume. Instead, aim to share two to three projects that are relevant to the job posting.

For instance, if you're applying to an IT consulting position, you might say, "I've had the opportunity to work on a variety of IT consulting projects during my career. Specifically, I've worked on projects relating to [Area of Expertise 1] and [Area of Expertise 2]. For example, I recently collaborated on a project for a large financial services company where I led a team in implementing a new customer relationship management system. The project involved.…"

10. Tell me about a time you made a recommendation that significantly improved a particular process.

In the world of consulting, problem-solving is the name of the game. During the interview, you need to demonstrate your ability to analyze complex issues and arrive at effective solutions.

It's important to find a relevant example, explain it clearly, and highlight the impact of your recommendation (preferably backed by stats). Let's take a look at an example from an HR consultant.

"At a previous company, the HR department was struggling to attract and retain talent. My task was to identify the root causes and develop a recommendation that would help improve employee engagement and retention. I conducted several focus groups to gather feedback from employees about their experience working for the company. Based on the data, I identified several areas for improvement, including better communication from leadership, more opportunities for professional development, and a more inclusive workplace culture. I recommended several changes, such as leadership training and a mentoring program. I worked with the HR team to develop and implement these changes, and I presented the new strategy to the senior leadership team. Within seven months, employee satisfaction scores increased by 20%, and turnover rates decreased by 15%."

11. Describe a time when you worked within a cross-functional team to complete a project.

It's typical for consultants to work in teams, especially on larger projects. For instance, you may work cross-functionally with different departments or have multiple stakeholders to manage.

The interviewer is looking for insight into your ability to collaborate, communicate, and work effectively with others. You'll want to pick an example demonstrating your ability to work successfully with a team.

Here's an example: "I was part of a consulting project for a retail company that aimed to improve their supply chain management. The project involved several departments, including logistics, finance, and IT. My role was to lead the data analysis phase of the project. I collaborated closely with members from each department, ensuring that everyone was aligned and aware of their responsibilities. I also worked with our project manager to develop a detailed plan that kept us on track with deadlines. Our work resulted in a streamlined supply chain process that reduced costs by 22%."

12. What methods do you use to identify your clients' needs? How do you solve those needs?

Consultants are known as problem solvers. So, it's common for interviewers to inquire about your process for identifying, diagnosing, and solving problems.

When answering this question, describe your own process for gathering information, such as:

• Conducting interviews
• Analyzing customer feedback
• Performing market research
• Surveys and focus groups
• Data analytics

Then, explain how you use this information to address your clients' specific challenges or to achieve a goal or objective.

Conflict Resolution Questions for Consultants

13. Tell me about a time in which you disagreed with someone. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?

The goal of this question is to assess your conflict resolution skills. It also provides an opportunity to highlight your problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities, and emotional intelligence.

Answering this question by saying you avoid conflict — or become aggressive and defensive when it happens — isn't the right approach. After all, conflict is commonplace at work, and you need the right skills to handle it. Instead, think of an example demonstrating your ability to handle conflict in a productive, healthy manner.

For instance, "One example that comes to mind is when I was working with a client who wanted to [X]. However, I disagreed with the approach and felt that a different strategy would be more effective at [Ideal Outcome]. To handle the situation, I scheduled a meeting with the client and presented [Alternative Solution]. I also took the time to listen to the client's perspective and concerns. We had a constructive discussion, and ultimately, we were able to come up with [Final Solution] that incorporated both our ideas. From this experience, I learned the importance of being able to present and justify my recommendations, while maintaining open and constructive communication with my clients."

14. Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.

By asking this question, the interviewer can understand how you approach challenges, roadblocks, and unexpected obstacles. It also offers a glimpse into your problem-solving process.

Start by describing the situation as clearly as possible. Make sure your story is linear and concise. For instance, "I was once hired by a client struggling to improve their cash flow management. After conducting a financial analysis, I identified several key areas where improvements could be made. One of the most pressing issues was the client's accounts receivable process, which was causing a significant delay in cash inflows."

Then, emphasize the actions you took to overcome the challenge. Don't rush through this part. For instance, "I developed a collections strategy that included a clear process for following up with customers, incentives for early payment, and regular reporting on performance. Throughout the project, I faced several challenges, such as internal disagreements about the best approach to take. However, I was able to overcome these challenges by maintaining open communication with the client, collaborating with their team, and staying focused on the project goals."

Finally, end your answer on a positive note: "As a result, the client was able to reduce their accounts receivable balance by 30% within the first three months of implementing the new strategy."

15. Tell me about a time when you struggled to meet a deadline.

The ability to meet deadlines is critical to a consultant's job. That said, consulting projects can be complex and involve multiple stakeholders, creating challenges and potential delays.

By asking this question, the interviewer can assess your ability to handle these situations. Like the question above, pick an example demonstrating your ability to find solutions when unexpected problems arise.

For instance, "I was once working on a project that involved [Describe Project Details]. The project had a tight deadline, with only [# of Weeks/Months] to complete all aspects of the campaign. Despite our best efforts to organize the project timeline, we faced several unexpected setbacks that made it challenging to meet the deadline. One of the key setbacks was [Main Setback]. This impacted our ability to [Describe Roadblock]. To address these challenges, we first [Solution 1]. We also implemented [Solution 2]. Ultimately, while we didn't meet the original deadline, we were able to [Positive Outcome] within a [X]-week extension period."

Back to You

There's no way around it: to nail your next consulting interview, you need to practice and prepare. Start with the questions in this article, and tailor your responses to the specific job and company you're interviewing for. By doing the necessary legwork, you can position yourself as a top candidate.