- Not answering the question asked. This disease is rampant among candidates, who out of nervousness veer off the subject or forget to complete their answer.
- Not understanding the job offered. This is the undergrad-who-wants-to-be-CEO syndrome, where a candidate thinks he's going to be leading meetings instead of crunching numbers. Interpreted at best as ignorance, at worst as pompousness.
- Verbosity. Perhaps out of a fear of silence, this candidate just can't come to a close. One idea leads to another, which leads to another. This can become agonizing to listen to.
- Spewing tons of information without any structure (a close relative of verbosity). Comes up with a good range of ideas, but disjointedness leaves the interviewer's head spinning.
- Not seizing an opportunity to make a point. Given some great openings to sell himself, but he just sits there. If you want to hunt with the big dogs, you've got to get off the porch. Show some drive and initiative.
- Talking about something personal. Never talk about your family values, love life, deepest feelings, religious beliefs, political leanings, or other sensitive topics.
- Crudeness/offensiveness. Here's a good example of this. When asked, "What was your most memorable experience?" a candidate replied, "Losing my virginity." "Why?" asked the interviewer. "Well, wasn't it for you?" Don't assume the interviewer shares your preferences or sense of humor.
- Letting an early mistake ruin the whole interview. Some candidates act like all is lost when they've made one mistake. But everyone makes at least one mistake during an interview. Forget about it and move on; you'll win even more points.
- Thinking professional means cold. Not smiling or trying to build a rapport with interviewers is a mistake. If they don't like you as a person, they'll reject you no matter what. Try to like interviewers; they'll notice it.
- Arrogance. Acting as if you're going to get an offer (perhaps because someone has led you to believe this) will get you axed.
The General Question Checklist
- Why are you interested in consulting/banking? (Or: How did you become interested?)
- Why are you interested in our firm?
- What three accomplishments are you most proud of?
- How do your accomplishments show that you have the skills for consulting/banking?
- Walk me through how you accomplished XYZ. Give me some details.
- What has been your greatest failure? What did you learn from it?
- Why did you choose XYZ college?
- What were your major accomplishments at XYZ job?
- What is your greatest strength/weakness?
- What other companies are you interviewing with? Have you received any job offers?
- Do you have a location preference? Do you have a department preference?
- What do you do for fun? What did you do this weekend?
- Describe an ethical dilemma you faced and how you dealt with it.
- What is an example of a difficult decision you have had to make?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What concerns you most about consulting/investment banking?
- What three issues do you think are important to the consulting/banking industry?
- What was the last book you read?
- Do you feel that you'd be more comfortable at a smaller company?
- In what kind of environment do you work best?
Questions for a Post-MBA (Associate) Position
- Walk me through your resume.
- Why did you choose to pursue an MBA? Why XYZ business school?
- Do you see yourself in consulting/banking over the long-term?
- Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?
- Where do you think the consulting/banking industry is headed?
- How do you think the consulting/banking industry is structured?
- How would you describe your leadership/management style?
- I-banking: In which investment banking department do you see yourself?
- What are some differences between consulting/investment banking firms that you have noticed, and which are important to you? How will you make a choice among firms?
Investment Banking Questions
- What do you think it takes to be successful in investment banking?
- What do you think investment bankers do every day?
- Describe a situation in which you used quantitative skills to solve a problem.
- Sales/trading: Sell me this XYZ object. Recommend a stock to me.
- What sources of information do you read on the investment banking industry?
- How does the government raise interest rates?
- What do you think of the recent [XYZ situation in the investment banking industry]?
- What do you think of the way the government treats insider traders?
- Has the investment banking industry been represented fairly in the press?
- What do you think of the Morgan Stanley/Dean Witter merger?
- What are your strengths in business analysis?
- Can you elaborate further on the accomplishment you mention here on your resume?
Management Consulting Questions
- Give me an example of a time you worked in a team. Did you face any obstacles?
- Give me an example of an obstacle you faced and how you overcame it.
- What do you think management consultants do every day?
- Give me an example of a situation in which you analyzed and solved a problem. How did you do it?
- How would you describe your way of solving problems?
