Consulting Interview Guide: Structure, Evaluation Criteria, and Preparation Tips

Few interviews feel as intense as a consulting interview — half business exam, half personality test. In just 50 minutes, you’re expected to think like a CEO and communicate like a coach. Understanding what firms truly assess (and why) can make the difference between feeling lost and feeling in control.

A typical consulting interview lasts 45–50 minutes and is split almost evenly between two parts: a behavioral (“fit”) interview and a case interview. The order can vary, but each section carries real weight. A strong fit story can save an average case; a sharp case can’t always cover for weak interpersonal skills.

The Two-Part Structure

1. Behavioral (Fit) – 20–25 minutes

This is where interviewers explore who you are. Expect questions like:

• “Tell me about a time you led a team under pressure.”

• “Describe a failure and what you learned.”

• “Tell me about a time you convinced a team to do things differently.”

They’ll listen closely not just to your story, but to how you tell it. They’ll probe for your thought process, ownership, and maturity. Prepare 4–5 stories you can flex across leadership, teamwork, conflict, and learning. Use the STAR method — and don’t skip the reflection.

If you need inspiration for structuring these answers, read our article on how to handle the “tell me about a time you failed” question or on how to answer behavioral interview questions

2. Case – 20–25 minutes

Here, you’ll tackle a real or simulated business problem. For example: A men’s luxury brand wants to enter the women’s market. What should they consider?”

You’ll outline your approach, analyze data, and recommend a solution — all while communicating clearly and calmly. Some cases are interviewer-led (guided), others are candidate-led (you drive the flow). If you’d like to see what real cases look like, explore our Interview Case Pack or check out our Consulting Toolbox article for the mindset and skills you’ll use throughout your career.

What Firms Evaluate

Each part of the interview has its own “scorecard.”

In the Case, they look for:

• Problem definition & goal clarity: Do you confirm the objective before diving in?

• Structured thinking: Do you focus on what matters most, not every detail?

• Analytical comfort (not speed math): You’re not graded on being a calculator — clarity beats speed.

• Insight & synthesis: Can you draw conclusions, not just calculations?

• Communication under pressure: Can you stay calm, articulate, and coachable?

  
  

In the Fit, they look for:

• Leadership & ownership: Times you took initiative or drove impact.

• Drive & resilience: Following through when things got difficult.

• Collaboration & empathy: Are you easy to work with?

• Self-awareness: Do you take responsibility for mistakes?

• Clarity: Do you explain your stories logically and with reflection?

As we’ve explored in The Consulting Toolbox, these skills go far beyond the interview — they’re what define success once you’re in the job.

The Human Side of the Interview

Interviewers are often in back-to-back meetings; they don’t expect perfection. What they look for is clarity, confidence, and composure. A strong, authentic story can stand out more than the most polished framework.

If your first-round case feels shaky, remember: hiring context matters. When firms are hiring more aggressively, they’ll take promising candidates who can grow. When hiring slows, the bar rises. What you can always control is your coachability — how fast you learn, adjust, and improve.

How to Prepare Smarter

• Have your stories ready: 4–5 adaptable examples that highlight leadership, teamwork, and growth.

• Structure your thoughts: Whether answering fit or case questions, use top-down logic.

• Pause before speaking: Thoughtful beats fast.

• Reflect as you go: End every story or case with one insight or takeaway.

Consulting interviews aren’t designed to trick you; they’re designed to understand how you think and who you are. Show that you can stay structured, communicate with calm confidence, and learn from feedback — and you’ll already stand out among hundreds of candidates chasing the perfect framework.

If you’d like to prepare smarter, not harder, explore our Interview Case Pack and 1:1 Coaching Sessions and and our 2-Week Consulting Interview Prep Plan for a practical, step-by-step approach.