The failure to provide takeaways and anecdotes in your responses is absolutely the worst thing you can do.
If you do not give unique answers that impart a bit of your personality, the interviewer will simply think you are the kind of person who is not willing to put forth an effort.
To begin with, let's talk about anecdotes. If you are not a very good consulting interviewer, you will not give anecdotes. Look at this example:
What interests you about management consulting?
I like to work with smart people and face difficult business and intellectual challenges.
Well, that's dull. There is certainly nothing special in that response. What's the story behind your desire to be a management consultant?
Click here to learn more about consultant fit and behavioral mistakes.
So what's wrong with that?
When you tell a story, you stand out. If you just give a generic response, your answer will be just like all the rest. Then you won't get an offer, and neither will anyone else.
At the end of the day, the consultants usually have a meeting to discuss all the applicants. If you said something that really stuck with your interviewer, you are likely to be discussed favorably. If you just gave a dull, unimaginative answer, your interviewer probably won't even think to mention you.
Here's how you can add an anecdote or a takeaway.
A takeaway is defined as a conclusion. You tell about something you have learned or something you realize now.
In the answer that was given, there was no takeaway. No conclusion was given.
Here is an example of how to add a takeaway to that answer. By adding personal experience, that answer becomes much stronger, leaves a conclusion, and more important, leaves an impression.
What interests you about management consulting?
I really like the intellectual challenge of the work. I am especially keen on having the ability to work in close proximity with ambitious, intelligent people solving difficult business problems. When I was an asset management intern, I really respected my colleagues abilities. However, I did not feel challenged in my everyday work. If I can get into consulting, I feel it will provide me with challenge and give me the opportunity to work with some really impressive people. I want to rise to the forefront of the business world. I know that the best way to get there is to join the smartest team and face the hardest challenges.
Click here to learn more about how to conquer management consulting interviews!
If you do not give unique answers that impart a bit of your personality, the interviewer will simply think you are the kind of person who is not willing to put forth an effort.
To begin with, let's talk about anecdotes. If you are not a very good consulting interviewer, you will not give anecdotes. Look at this example:
What interests you about management consulting?
I like to work with smart people and face difficult business and intellectual challenges.
Well, that's dull. There is certainly nothing special in that response. What's the story behind your desire to be a management consultant?
Click here to learn more about consultant fit and behavioral mistakes.
So what's wrong with that?
When you tell a story, you stand out. If you just give a generic response, your answer will be just like all the rest. Then you won't get an offer, and neither will anyone else.
At the end of the day, the consultants usually have a meeting to discuss all the applicants. If you said something that really stuck with your interviewer, you are likely to be discussed favorably. If you just gave a dull, unimaginative answer, your interviewer probably won't even think to mention you.
Here's how you can add an anecdote or a takeaway.
A takeaway is defined as a conclusion. You tell about something you have learned or something you realize now.
In the answer that was given, there was no takeaway. No conclusion was given.
Here is an example of how to add a takeaway to that answer. By adding personal experience, that answer becomes much stronger, leaves a conclusion, and more important, leaves an impression.
What interests you about management consulting?
I really like the intellectual challenge of the work. I am especially keen on having the ability to work in close proximity with ambitious, intelligent people solving difficult business problems. When I was an asset management intern, I really respected my colleagues abilities. However, I did not feel challenged in my everyday work. If I can get into consulting, I feel it will provide me with challenge and give me the opportunity to work with some really impressive people. I want to rise to the forefront of the business world. I know that the best way to get there is to join the smartest team and face the hardest challenges.
Click here to learn more about how to conquer management consulting interviews!
About the Author:
Management Consulted is a resource for understanding business consulting. Written by a former McKinsey consultant, its main purpose is to help readers land business consulting jobs. Read the insider's guide to strategy consultant interviews today!
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