Arthur D Little Interviews

Let me share what I know about ADL interviews.

What to expect

The process usually has two to three rounds with a mix of case interviews and fit questions. For an internship, it may be slightly less intense than full-time hiring but the format is similar.

ADL is known for technology and innovation strategy. Their cases often have a tech, R&D, or operations angle rather than pure commercial strategy. Think things like:

• Product development decisions
• Technology adoption questions
• Manufacturing or operations strategy
• Innovation portfolio choices

If your case has a technical element, lean into it rather than avoiding it.

For Paris specifically

The interview will likely be in French, though some interviewers may switch to English depending on the role. Be ready for both.

ADL Paris does a lot of work in automotive, energy, transportation, and industrial sectors. Having some awareness of trends in these industries helps, especially when they ask "why ADL" or "what kind of work interests you."

How to prepare

Practice cases with a technical or operational flavour, not just classic profitability cases.

Have a clear answer for why ADL specifically. They are smaller and more specialised than MBB. Show you understand what makes them different, the focus on technology, innovation, and deep technical expertise.

Network if you can. Even one conversation with a current ADL Paris consultant will give you better information than anything online.

Feel free to reach out if you want help preparing.

Hello! 

For Arthur D. Little (Paris office), the structure is usually aligned with classic strategy consulting interviews:

• 2–3 rounds
• Case interviews (often interviewer-led)
• Fit / motivation questions
• Sometimes a short market-sizing or analytical exercise

For internships, expect a strong focus on:

• Structured thinking
• Clear communication (especially in French if required)
• Coachability and motivation

A very good and often overlooked tip:
Go through LinkedIn profiles of consultants in the Paris office. Many of them describe:

• The types of projects they work on (strategy, transformation, innovation, specific industries)
• Key sectors the office is active in
• The background ADL tends to hire from

This helps you:

• Tailor your “Why ADL Paris?”
• Reference specific industries or capabilities in interviews
• Understand whether the office leans more toward strategy, operations, or innovation

ADL tends to value entrepreneurial mindset and pragmatic strategy, so avoid overly theoretical answers — be concrete and business-oriented.

As a coach, I’m here to help you — we can simulate ADL-style cases, refine your fit answers, and position your profile precisely for the Paris office to maximize your chances of landing the internship.

Hi there,

For McKinsey Paris, the same general rule applies, but interviewers there tend to value conciseness and precision even more.

A simple rule of thumb:

A good clarifying question should impact your top-level structure or materially narrow the scope.

If it doesn’t change how you’ll approach the case, it’s probably too early.

In Paris, strong clarifying questions usually focus on:

• The exact objective (profit vs revenue vs market share)
• The scope (France vs Europe, one product vs full portfolio)
• The time horizon
• Any clear constraints

They typically do not expect early detailed questions about data, cost breakdowns, or operational specifics — those will usually come later through exhibits. If you ask too granular a question upfront, you’ll often hear “we’ll come to that later.”

Before asking, quickly check:

• Will this answer change my structure?
• Am I clarifying the problem or already trying to analyze it?

In Paris interviews especially, 1–2 sharp clarifying questions are enough. Then move into a clear, confident structure without over-questioning.

Best,
Evelina

That is a good question—and you are right that the information pool for firms outside the big three tends to be stale, especially for international offices. The recruiting mechanics at a specialized firm like ADL are different from MBB, and you need to adjust your strategy accordingly.

The typical interview structure will follow the standard two paths: behavioral/fit and case studies. However, the substance of both will lean heavily into ADL’s core strengths, which are innovation, technology, and operational deep dives. Your cases are less likely to be generic market entry problems and more likely to involve specific issues like optimizing R&D spend, scaling a new technology, or structuring a complex industrial partnership. Ensure your case prep focuses on applying specialized industry knowledge rather than just high-level frameworks.

For the Paris office specifically, cultural fit and presentation rigor are paramount. You must be able to articulate a strong, specific reason Why ADL and not just Why Consulting. Research their recent thought leadership pieces (look at topics related to sustainability, energy transition, or complex operations in Europe) and be prepared to discuss them intelligently. This shows dedication to their specialized model. In the fit portion, emphasize how your background directly maps to their typical projects.

All the best with the process!

Hi there!

I've worked with ADL candidates previously, though to my recollection not specifically for the Paris office. 

I would strongly recommend you ask the recruiter to take you through the format of the recruiting process. It's part of what they are meant to do. 

What you can assume (but should validate), is that you'll have two rounds of two interviews, each consisting of a personal fit component plus a case component. 

If you get in touch with the recruiter, also ask them directly whether the cases can be from any industry or whether you are expected to focus on any particular industry or type of case. The clearer you are on these elements upfront, the better.

Best,
Cristian

hey there :)

For Arthur D Little Paris the internship process is usually 2 to 3 rounds with a mix of fit and a classic strategy case, often quite hypothesis driven and structured. They really value clear thinking, strong communication in French if required, and genuine interest in innovation and tech topics.

Prepare solid stories for your motivation and practice structured cases with clear top down communication. If you want to share your background, happy to give more tailored tips.

best,
Alessa :)

Hi, 

I helped a candidate one month ago who was interviewing at ADL, and he got the offer, so I have updated info about the interview process. Feel free to reach out. I speak French fluently, so happy to case in French as well.

Hi, I interviewed at one of the Asia offices, but just wanted to let you know that I had 3 rounds, one unconventional case (environmental), and a market sizing. I do think it’s up to the interviewer’s whims on what to give you, so do be prepared for anything. Final round might be just a chat with a partner, you can probably clarify on this! My sensing is that ADL wants to find individuals with personality and unique thinking processes (kind of Bain style), but it may differ office to office.