How to Pass the Consulting Screening Interview (2024)
Master the consulting screening interview with key strategies, insights, and tips to impress interviewers and advance in the recruitment process.
By Amelia C.
Posted September 25, 2024
Table of Contents
The Screening Interview Process
The screening interview is your chance to make a strong first impression in consulting. It helps employers assess if your skills, experience, and enthusiasm align with their needs, even before technical questions arise. Preparation is key to advancing in the recruitment process.
For you, it’s an opportunity to stand out early on and show that you’re ready to take the next step. Even though the questions may not get too technical just yet, preparing thoroughly can set you up for success. In this article, we’ll break down how to get ready for this type of interview, the key things you’ll want to highlight, and some common questions you might face. With a little insight and preparation, you’ll be one step closer to moving forward in the consulting recruitment process.
The Different Kinds of Screening Interviews
Depending on the company, role, industry, etc., there are different kinds of screening interviews. For example, for some companies, it’s an HR interview, while for others, it’s the hiring manager/actual team doing the call. Here are some of the other discrepancies you may see in this initial screening interview:
- Human resources vs. Hiring manager vs. AI assessment
- Phone call vs. Video call
- More informational vs. Behavioral
First-Round Consulting Interviews
For consulting, specifically, some firms have you complete an AI assessment prior to the first-round. McKinsey has the McKinsey Solve and BCG does the BCG Pymetrics. For Bain and other top firms, whether or not you’re asked to complete an assessment will depend on the role, geographic location, and team. Here are other things to note about MBB firms’ interview processes – they might look different for full-time vs. internship vs. non-consulting positions.
McKinsey Screening Interview – HR Phone Call
- HR will introduce the role and the recruiting/interview logistics
- Couple of behavioral questions (not in the style of the personal experience interview); expect:
- Why management consulting?
- Why McKinsey?
- Tell me about yourself/walk me through your resume
- Any questions for us?
Bain Screening Interview – Online Video (HireVue)
- There is a pool of questions and three will be randomly selected; you’ll answer them through an online video
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to go into consulting?
- Why do you want to work for Bain?
- What is your opinion on the economy?
- Tell me about a time when you failed.
- Tell me about a time when you led a team.
- Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge.
BCG Screening Interview – HR Phone Call or Online Video (Spark Hire)
- For BCG, you may encounter either of the above styles – an HR screening interview that lasts around 20 minutes or a video interview with around three questions.
- Like Bain and McKinsey, the questions will primarily deal with fit, i.e. why BCG, why consulting, tell me about yourself, etc.
The Consulting “Airport Test”
Interviewers are trying to determine whether the candidate would be a good fit for the firm and whether they’d feel comfortable putting them in front of a client. Consulting is very client-facing – these firms need to feel confident that they can trust you with them.
A frequently-used analogy is the consulting “airport test.” When you’re being interviewed by potential coworkers/managers, one question that they are asking themselves is, “Would I be okay if I was stuck in an airport with this person for 8 hours?” If the answer is “yes”, you’re well on your way to making a good impression.
These interviews help predict future performance and reduce bias in the hiring process. Candidates should take them seriously, as success in this stage is essential for advancing to the next round of the consulting recruitment process.
How to Prepare for a Screening Interview
To excel in a consulting screening interview, job candidates should first and foremost focus on thorough preparation. This primarily involves crafting a compelling personal story, practicing common interview questions, and honing essential skills.
1. Develop your narrative
Just like crafting a strong cover letter for your application, your narrative in a screening interview should showcase how your background and aspirations align with the role you're pursuing. In other words, explain where have you been, where are you now, where are you going, and how does consulting fit into it? When you’re asked, “Tell me about yourself” or “Walk me through your resume”, your narrative should help guide your answer.
2. Practice common questions
It’s important to not over-rehearse, so as not to sound rote, but it is good to have a rough idea or framework in place for common questions. Have a strong response to “Why consulting?” and “Why this firm?” and for story-based questions like “Tell me about a time…”, use the STAR(E) method – Situation, Task, Action, Result, Effect.
Read: How to Nail “Tell Me About a Time…” Interview Questions
3.Network effectively
Networking for consulting is extremely important, particularly if you’re applying from school (undergraduate or graduate). You should be having coffee chats with people on the team and developing those relationships as early as possible.
See: How to Network for Consulting
Common Screening Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself/walk me through your resume
- What do you know about our company/firm?
- Where do you see yourself in 3, 5, 10 years?
- What about this role interests you?
- What is your ideal work environment?
- What are you looking for in your next role?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses?
- How do you work under pressure?
- What is your leadership style?
- What is one of your biggest career accomplishments so far?
- Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a colleague.
- What are you motivated by?
Consulting-Specific
- Why are you interested in consulting, and what makes you a good fit for this consulting firm?
- Can you describe a time when you used problem-solving skills to overcome a challenge in a consulting or business context?
- How do you approach solving business problems with limited information during a consulting engagement?
- What experience do you have with quantitative analysis, and how have you applied it in a consulting role?
- How do you handle tight deadlines and manage multiple projects in a consulting environment?
- Describe a situation where you had to persuade a client or stakeholder during a consulting project. What approach did you take?
- What do you know about our clients, the industries we serve, and how do you see yourself contributing to our consulting team?
- Can you provide an example of when you had to adapt quickly to a changing work environment during a consulting assignment?
- How would you explain a complex idea or technical concept to a non-expert client in a consulting setting?
- What challenges do you think consulting firms will face in the next 5 years, and how would you help navigate these as a consultant?
Key Skills to Showcase
Consulting firms evaluate a range of skills and attributes crucial for success in a consulting role. Candidates should focus on demonstrating tangible accomplishments, effective communication, and alignment with the firm's culture.
Key Skills to Highlight for a Successful Screening Interview
- Leadership: During a screening interview, showcase experiences where you guided teams or led initiatives. Highlight your management style and how you’ve met hiring criteria by leading others effectively, demonstrating your ability to drive results and motivate team members in line with the company's culture.
- Problem-Solving: Emphasize your problem-solving skills by illustrating how you’ve structured complex problems, generated insights, and used data to support your decisions. Be prepared to answer screening interview questions that explore how you handled challenges in previous positions and how you approach solving issues during the recruiting process.
- Communication: Demonstrate clear, concise, and articulate communication in both verbal and written forms. In a phone screen interview or video call, ensure your candidate's body language and tone convey confidence and clarity. This is crucial in a pre-screening interview or when responding to follow-up questions from the hiring manager.
- Adaptability: Highlight instances where you successfully adjusted to changes or overcame challenges in different work environments. During the HR screening interview, show how you managed to adapt when working with previous employers or when encountering new situations. This adaptability is often a deciding factor in moving to the next stage of the hiring process.
- Teamwork: Emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups, which is often assessed during screening interviews. Explain how your personality traits align with the company's values and culture, making you an ideal candidate for the role. During the recruitment process, highlight how you work well in teams and prefer working independently when required, ensuring you fit well within the company’s work environment.
By preparing for the initial screening interview with these key skills in mind, you position yourself as one of the most qualified candidates in the candidate pool, increasing your chances of advancing to the next round of interviews and becoming a top choice in the hiring process.
Land Your Dream Consulting Job With the Help of an Expert
Trying to enter into the world of consulting is no small feat. That’s why at Leland, we have a broad network of world-class coaches who know what it takes to get into a consulting job and are ready to help review your resumes, discuss case interview preparation strategies, and give you refreshers on key skills needed to land the job. Browse our expert coaches here and find the highest-rated ones below.
How to Pass Different Kinds of Screening Interviews
HR Phone Call
For an HR phone interview, your main goal is to show genuine interest in the role and alignment with the company’s values. Research the firm’s mission, recent news, and job description beforehand. Answer screening questions clearly and professionally, maintaining an upbeat tone. Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer to stand out as a qualified candidate.
Online Video (HireVue, Spark Hire)
For pre-recorded video call interviews, practice answering common behavioral and situational interview questions. Keep responses structured, concise, and maintain good body language—posture, eye contact, and smiling are key. Test lighting and audio quality in advance, dress professionally, and stay calm to appear natural on screen.
Online Assessment (BCG Case Bot, McKinsey Solve)
Prepare strategically for online assessments by familiarizing yourself with the specific test format, like BCG Case Bot or McKinsey Solve. Practice logical reasoning, math, and verbal skills with mock tests. For case bots, review business frameworks and practice problem-solving quickly. Focus on key metrics and prioritize tasks efficiently to manage time effectively.
Read: What is the McKinsey Game and How to Solve It (2024)
Watch:
Conclusion
Mastering a screening interview takes preparation and a thoughtful approach. Taking the time to develop a compelling personal story, practice common interview questions, and sharpen essential skills like leadership and problem-solving can make all the difference. By highlighting your achievements and communicating effectively, you can leave a memorable impression on the interviewer and boost your chances of moving forward in the recruitment process.
Think of this kind of interview as your first real opportunity to show you're the right fit for a consulting career. It's your chance to demonstrate your potential and how well you align with the firm’s culture. With the right preparation and a positive mindset, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goal of joining a top consulting firm.
FAQs
What is a screening interview?
- A screening interview is an initial step in the hiring process where employers assess a candidate's qualifications, skills, and fit for the role. It is often a brief phone screen interview or video call used to filter out unsuitable candidates who don’t meet the basic job requirements before moving them forward to more in-depth interviews in the recruiting process.
How do I prepare for a screening interview?
- To prepare for a successful screening interview, research the company's culture and hiring criteria, review the job description, and align your experience with the key requirements. Practice answering common interview questions, such as those about your background, strengths, career goals, and why you’re genuinely interested in the role. Be ready to discuss how your specific skills match the position and prepare thoughtful questions to show engagement.
What are the questions asked in a screening test?
- Screening interview questions typically assess a candidate’s qualifications, such as previous experience, technical skills, and cultural fit. Common screening questions include “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want this job?” and “What are your greatest strengths?” Some screening tests, like online assessments, may also include problem-solving or situational judgment questions to evaluate analytical abilities and personality traits.
What are the best ways to prepare for a consulting interview?
- Preparing for a consulting interview involves several steps: research the consulting firm thoroughly, prepare insightful questions to ask during the interview, consider how your specific skills and previous experience align with the firm’s hiring criteria, brainstorm examples for behavioral interview questions, familiarize yourself with different types of case studies, gain knowledge about various industries, and enhance your problem-solving and analytical skills. Regular practice and understanding the hiring process are crucial.
How can I stand out during a consulting interview?
- To stand out in a consulting interview, engage actively from the start by asking pertinent interview questions. Maintain a structured approach in your responses, familiarize yourself with common case interview archetypes, practice numerical calculations, stay updated on industry trends, and rehearse extensively. Demonstrating strong problem-solving skills, understanding the company's culture, and showing genuine interest in the role are deciding factors in moving to the next stage.
For more on how to navigate the interview process for consulting, read our articles:
