subject: Prepare for Interviews in Management Consulting [print this page] Prepare for Interviews in Management Consulting
Preparing for your management consulting interview is very important. This article will look into some preparations that you might not have thought of, including nonverbal communications. While most applicants focus on case interviews, the non-verbal communications can determine the success of the interview. This article contains very important tips that you need to know and some skills that you should master. Believe it or not, but wrong body language might cost you the job offer - even if you have the best qualifications. There have been enormous changes in how people apply a job nowadays. In the past, people preferred the hand-written application letter. Today, an employer can process your whole application quicker than ever; sometimes you can get an invitation of job interview from the employer even before you know it. This is also the case from top tier consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, Booz, AT Kearney and Bain. After the job invitation, you would probably start looking for case interviews or case study questions to get ready for the interview.Here, you should take a break. While case interview is still the most important part of every consulting interview process, you should not neglect the importance of your physical presence. Body language does often not get the attention it deserves - when looking at the impact it has on your chances of landing the job.Nonverbal communication often shows the quality of a person more directly and easily in the case interviews. Even before you say a word, the interviewer has already the first impression of you. Therefore, when you are facing the management consulting interviews at top firms like McKinsey, Bain, BCG or Booz, the body language can be crucial. After all, you need to let them know that you have great leadership potential.1. Find out what what kind of person you are
Your body language could easily show that you are insecure or self-assured. It can also show if you are a busy or a quiet type, and it helps give an impression of whether you are speaking truthfully or not. Body language can show if you are prone to stress. It can show your enthusiasm, and whether you are a person that people want to be around. Therefore, the interviewers can ask you tons of questions, and what matters is not only what you answer, but also how.Try to asses yourself. Ask some of your friends to be honest and tell you what impression your physical presence gives. Figure out if this is the desired image, and start planning how you can change some of these habits.2. Be relaxed and be there on time
Being late at an interview is unacceptable, and will most likely cost you the consulting job in itself. You should go one step further, and get to the office location well ahead of time to avoid all stress. It is important that you are relaxed. After you arrive, do not walk into the office at once. Standing in the hallway and waiting for a long time won't do your nervousness any good. Sometimes it is better to walk around at outside and relax, or find a nearby coffee shop and talk to some strangers. The last thing you want to do is to get into a thinking and nervousness mood. 3. Get a great start
When you arrive, a formal greeting is necessary. Do not lean over the table and shake hands - but walk around the table instead. If you do something and feel uncomfortable about it, the chances are that the others will feel the same way. Shake hands firmly but not too powerfully, look directly into that person's eyes and say your name. Most important: keep smiling all the time.During the interview, you should speak confidently and maintain eye contact with the interviewers. Remember to smile once in a while, but also be firm and confident when appropriate. For example, when you are presenting a conclusion in a case study interview.
