Consulting “fit” interview workshop

Consulting “fit” interview workshop

• Nina Tandon, PhD
• October 8, 2010
• 4pm, Mudd 337
• Columbia University Consulting Club

Agenda

• About Me…
• What is a “fit interview”?
• General advice
• Breakout groups
• Recap

Agenda

• About Me…
• What is a “fit interview”?
• General advice
• Breakout groups
• Recap

About Me…

• PS/IS 217
• High School (Dominican Academy)
• University (Cooper Union) Electrical Engineering
• 1 summer in London making electronic musical instruments
• 11 years studying yoga
• 2 years at telecommunications company
• 1 year in Rome
• Masters of Bioelectrical Engineering (MIT)
• PhD Columbia , Biomedical Engineering, 5/2009
• Consultant at McKinsey 5/2009-5/2010
• Postdoctoral researcher, Dept of Pharmacology

My McKinsey Resume…

• Conducted research and analysis for client service projects, including:
• Market research for a major pharmaco to understand ophthalmologists' treatment algorithms in Europe
• Organizational structure for the R&D groups of a joint venture between two major pharmacos
• Global market scan of pharmacy benefits to locate areas for international growth for a US-based pharmacy benefits management company
• Developed US strategy for biologics products for a major pharmaco
• Performed brand valuation for a mature division of major pharmaco

Agenda

• About Me…
• What is a “fit interview”?
• General advice
• Breakout groups
• Recap

Recipe for “success”

Common types of “fit” questions…

• Please take a minute and run me through your resume
• What do you think makes a good management consultant?
• Tell me your greatest professional weakness
• What drew you to McKinsey/Bain/BCG/etc?
• What motivated you to look into consulting careers?
• Have you dealt with a difficult person? If so, explain how you managed the situation.
• Describe a scenario where you lead a team in the face of a major obstacle.
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.
• Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone of something.

• From: http://www.brazencareerist.com, personal experience

Pick a question…identify the “unasked questions”

• From: http://www.brazencareerist.com, personal experience

• Have you dealt with a difficult person? If so, explain how you managed the situation.
• Describe a scenario where you lead a team in the face of a major obstacle.
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership
• Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone of something

“Fit” interviews: not just achievement, but skills!

• Consulting work is in teams
• Tight-knit, collaborative
• Tackling difficult client challenges
• Therefore, discuss yourself
• In detail
• With focus on your specific roles
• Describing key actions critical to success

Fatal flaws…

• Not selling yourself enough
• Not providing a structured answer
• Too generic

• From” http://www.brazencareerist.com
• Image: http://www.theartwheredreamscometrue.com/

Practical, personal

• vs

• Self-deprecating

• Self-aggrandizing

• Self-aware

Structured responses…

• Tell them what you’re gonna tell them

• Tell them

• Tell them what you just told them

Be your own paparazzo

Agenda

• About Me…
• What is a “fit interview”?
• General advice
• Breakout groups
• Recap

General advice on how to approach fit interview

• Preparation:
• Write it down first
• practice
• Game-time:
• Answer the questions that are asked
• Tell a story
• Be specific
• Concentrate on your role
• Avoid clichés

Memory

• 1st law of information theory
• The less probable an event, the more information it contains
• Be MEMORABLE!!!
• (but in a good way)
• Irony, metaphor, anecdote
• Primacy-Recency effect
• Make a good 1st impression, and a lasting last-impression

A Note on Delivery

• Grammar:
• Make sure it’s right
• Pronunciation:
• Speak clearly, slowly
• BREATHE!

Flattery will get you everywhere: Do your research!

• Snoop around
• Note your impressions
• Interdisciplinary?
• Collaborative?

• If you say “nice dress” make sure they’re wearing dresses!

Facebook/Myspace/Friendster/Blogs/Google

• If you search yourself, what do you find?

And then, it’s usually your turn to ask a question, don’t throw it away!

• Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNBIyGxV7Ek

• Chris Farley interviews Paul McCartney

Agenda

• About Me…
• What is a “fit interview”?
• General advice
• Breakout groups
• Recap

Pick a question…identify the “unasked questions”

• From: http://www.brazencareerist.com, personal experience

• Have you dealt with a difficult person? If so, explain how you managed the situation.
• Describe a scenario where you lead a team in the face of a major obstacle.
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.
• Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone of something.

Agenda

• About Me…
• What is a “fit interview”?
• General advice
• Breakout groups
• Recap

General advice on how to approach fit interview

• Preparation:
• Write it down first
• practice
• Game-time:
• Answer the questions that are asked
• Tell a story
• Be specific
• Concentrate on your role
• Avoid clichés

Resources

• Consulting Club
• Student Careers Office
• Personal coaches (ask me for references)
• Me: nmt2104@columbia.edu

Thank you!

• Questions?