Ace the Management
Consulting Application

Keys to Success in
Management Consulting

Interview Preparation

Applicants for professional consulting openings at L.E.K. progress through several interviews. In the case-based portion of the interview process, applicants address a specific business problem. Some of the qualities we look for are:

• Logical thought processes; how you approach a business problem
• General business knowledge and insight
• The ability to draw on your own experience and related knowledge
• Comfort with quantitative analysis
• Creativity
• Communication skills

Advanced Case Interview Preparation

Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for the case questions:

• Attend case interview preparation workshops on campus
• Read major business publications or daily papers regularly
• Practice with people who currently work in strategy consulting. Know what kind of work we do—this will help you anticipate the kinds of question you may be asked
• Use your career services office resources

During the Case Interview

Here are some tips for how to turn in the best performance you can during a case interview:

• Take your time: Listen to the question, repeat or paraphrase to be sure you understand; state your assumptions and restate the facts
• Gather your thoughts: Jot down preliminary ideas, formulate intelligent questions, and devise a coherent approach
• Stick to your approach: Outline how you are thinking and move methodically to address each issue, point-by-point
• Ask questions: Clarify issues and scope; ask for additional information you need
• Formulate hypotheses: Share your thought process as information is revealed
• Come up with an answer: Commit yourself to a course of action, but show flexibility and a willingness to rethink in the face of new data
• Be yourself!

View Case Samples

Here are three sample cases for you to use in preparation for your interview.

Large Pharma Co.

Brewery Profits

A Brainteaser