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The following report arose from discussions between Mindbench and its customers about where individuals go wrong in interviews. This encouraged us to handle a qualitative survey with clients, prospects, HR personnel and hiring specialists active in the management consultant market to determine some of the main element skills and important issues of... 

Employment is buoyant - so is the number of candidates 

The existing market for employment at administration consultancies is highly buoyant indeed this season it appears set to attain record levels. However the competition for these jobs is still strong, with record variety of MBAs searching for work in the market! There are over two hundred applicants for each and every part in strategy consulting - the vast majority of these will undoubtedly be screened out at the C.V. stage and go no longer but should you cope with to the interview stage the following advice may prove very important. 

Understand whom you're applying to 

A substantial skill-set in consultancies of all kinds is research and the less published data available the more important specialists become with their customers and the more these skills are tested. It's essential that you dont spend time in the interview room also that you present a real fascination with the organization and its work good research is the key! Research the business on the web not merely on their very own site, but follow any links they might provide, research press articles, industry groups and look at their customers websites. Try to fully understand what type of work they do and what's it like to work for them. Know who their main customers are and which sectors and industries they operate in. Never hesitate to pick up the phone and ask other peoples thoughts. Speak with anyone who has worked in the field or preferably at that company! Again, a good employment consultant must certanly be able to put you touching such people. 

As in life it's about promoting! In this instance you're there to market yourself into the consultancy ensure it is simple for them to hire you! Demonstrate to them how your experience, qualities and skills will fit and enhance their own but if you understand who for and what they do you can only just do this successfully. Corporate culture has become more important recently and this idea has been embraced by consultancies in particular. Again their internet site should provide you with a great overview of how they see themselves as a but remember, this really is how so on to see themselves. Addressing a current or former employee can give a much better understanding to you. 

The perfect candidate 

To start with we discussed the important features a candidate should get and - crucially - be able to demonstrate through the interview process: 

Strategic thinking - is this candidate in a position to think with regards to strategic direction? 

Diagnostic rigour - does this candidate think in a logical, methodical way? 

Mathematical capacity does the prospect have the mathematical aptitude to cope with financial acting, knowledge of mathematical analysis, corporate financial reporting and so on 

Commercial awareness - is this candidate able to think when it comes to pricing, competitive environment etc? 

Intellectual curiosity - is this candidate sufficiently interested to go beyond the top and search for the underlying reasons and detail? 

Along with pinpointing these specific features numerous less real features were mooted. These are qualities a consultant would ideally like all its professionals to own, but are more difficult to recognize or display: 

Drive has got the candidate demonstrated the mandatory degrees of desire and drive to date inside their job? 

Emphasis can the candidate demonstrate the capability to ignore distractions and follow the key thrust of a task? 

Capability to manage people has the choice shown a willingness/ability to manage others, in virtually any setting? This can be managing down (team, subordinates), managing peers or managing upwards 

Motivation is there a willingness to work extended hours and under some pressure 

And eventually, Depth of character this last characteristic proved probably the most difficult to define. These quotations from Consultancy Recruitment Heads were inciteful in summarising their views: 

As long as the prospect is willing and fairly intelligent to work hard we've set up helping programs and training programs that will help us to pass on all the skills our consultants need certainly to fulfil their functions the single thing that you can not show is character... and its the absolute most useful trait of! 

How will you identify it in interviews? We go through the answers that individuals share with the more predictable questions, and we also make an effort to inquire further some questions they won't be prepared for! But fundamentally - you know it when you see it! 

Effective finding 

It is in the consultancies interests to allow you an opportunity to offer yourself to them. They desire you to manage to demonstrate your qualifications, your abilities, your passion and somewhat your character! 

You'll need in order to achieve this effectively and efficiently so BE READY! 

Preparation will allow you to speak fluently about whichever facet you are contacted to go over in addition to speaking about your successes and yourself in a logical and structured method. These are all extremely beautiful qualities in a consultant! 

The simplest way to prepare with this is PRACTICE! 

Think about the issues you are probably be asked 

Search on the web and in libraries for more examples 

Speak to the recruitment consultant or the interview co-ordinator 

Work out some solutions to these questions that allow you to show your very best qualities and highlight your achievements. 

We would also suggest that you practice answering these questions aloud. Find some friends or colleagues and prepare to spend some time hearing reactions and asking each other interview-style questions. Discuss your own personal and others performance there's number substitute for performing in front of other people! 

The best purpose in these situations is just a difficult balance to achieve: 

Be prepared - sound natural! [http://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Days-Less-ebook/dp/B009BA0X70 inside interview questions and answers]