Does your degree really matter? What are management consulting firms looking for when recruiting fresh graduates for Analyst/ Consultant positions?
Having interviewed dozens of candidates as part of my Big4 Consulting career, I can assure you that there are only 2 questions running in a Partner’s mind as he/she interviews you:
- CAN I put this person in front of a client?
- HOW SOON can I put this person in front of a client?
That’s pretty much it!
Now let’s translate the above 2 questions into 3 buckets: Your education, Skillset, and Personality type - and see how much they impact your evaluation.
Your Education: matters <30%
As a new Consultant, you will have such a steep learning curve as you learn about the way your firm operates, that you may or may not end up working in projects focused on the industry closest to your degree.
Case in point - I am a Chartered Accountant (CPA in the U.S.) but I have possibly used that Accounting knowledge in 5% of the projects I’ve done - in 10 YEARS!
The work that you do (or your projects) will be determined by a combination of your network, being in the right place at the right time, and showcasing the basic Consultant/ Analyst skills on your projects.
Which brings us to …..
Your Skillset: matters ~35–40%
As a BRAND NEW Consultant, here’s what you should know -
- A basic understanding of how Consulting projects work
- Key excel formulae that Consultants use
- Formatting in PowerPoint
- Understanding of Storyboarding and the other 7 of 8 key Consulting skills
Your personality type: (AKA - Will you survive the grind?) matters ~30–35%
Here you are being evaluated on your interpersonal skills, communication, and executive presence.
Do you look like you’ll be able to connect and have great work relationships with clients?
Do you project an air of calm or get flustered easily (that’s what case interviews are for!)
Do you have experience in leading teams and do you look like a good team player?
Do you project an air of calm or get flustered easily (that’s what case interviews are for!)
Do you have experience in leading teams and do you look like a good team player?
And most importantly……
Will you fit into the firm’s culture? A.K.A. Do we LIKE you.
Because, at the end of the day, people want to work with people they LIKE. If you are the perfect candidate on paper but have a personality drier than chalk or throw attitude like you’re the President, you don’t stand a chance!
P.S: Enjoyed this? Here are a few ways you can get more:
Because, at the end of the day, people want to work with people they LIKE. If you are the perfect candidate on paper but have a personality drier than chalk or throw attitude like you’re the President, you don’t stand a chance!
P.S: Enjoyed this? Here are a few ways you can get more:
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Punya is a former management consultant with 15 years of experience at 2 Big4 firms, serving top Fortune500 clients. She has lived and worked in 6 countries and changed 3 careers working across several industries. Punya is passionate about coaching new and aspiring Consultants to succeed in Management Consulting.