Founder of consulting club?

Hi there,

Feel free to mention this. The standard won't change one bit!

In general, your achievements will help you get the interview. Once you're in the interview, there is an absolute standard you have to meet for case performance, irrespective of your achievements.

One area I would explore is the personal fit/PEI interview, where this experience could be turned into a great story to show soft-skills e.g., leadership, entrepreneurial drive, etc.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

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Hi there,

Q: I was the founder of the consulting club at my university. If I tell them about it, I feel I will be held up to a higher standard during the case. What do you think?

I don’t see issues with mentioning it during the interview:

1. They will see it in your CV anyway (it definitely makes sense to add it to your CV, as it strengthens it and increases the chance of passing the screening).
2. It shows skills that consulting firms look for (eg entrepreneurial drive) so could be helpful for some fit questions.
3. As mentioned by Alberto, in general, the criteria to pass the interview are not based on your past experience but on the requirements for the specific position and your performance based on them.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi,

I would only mention it during the interview if it is relevant. This means that if you were asked to share an experience/story/achievement that you could use this experience for, go ahead and share it.

Otherwise I wouldn't artificially try and weave this in. In my experience as an interviewer, it doesn't really matter to me and neither would I be impressed.

Crush my case interview and show you are a cut above all other applicants based on your interview performance - this is something I would be impressed with.

All the best!

That's an interesting concern. But I would let go of it. 

Basically, they will assess you based on the requirements of the role you're applying for. Not based on what you did previously. 

What you did previously is meant to help you an improve your value proposition, not make your life harder in the interview.

So by all means I would proactively mention it. It's a great thing to have done that very few people can claim.

Best,
Cristian

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Hi there,

You should definitely include this in your resume and mention during the interview. In general, consulting firms have their own definition of recruiting standards based on the position they are interviewing for and not your previous experience.

Happy to keep talking about this in private, just send me a message.

Best,

Alberto

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Hi there,

You will not be “held to a higher standard” in the interview.

No matter what, you will be held to a high standard. Period. Please please stop with this thinking :)

1) Add this to your resume!

2) Bring this up if relevant to the conversation! (if they ask about leadership, entreprenuerial drive, taking initiative, etc.)

I understand your concern about mentioning your role as the founder of the consulting club during an interview. It's important to carefully consider how you position this experience to showcase your skills and achievements without setting unrealistic expectations.

In my opinion, mentioning your role as the founder of the consulting club can be a valuable addition to your interview narrative. It demonstrates your leadership, initiative, and ability to take on responsibilities outside of your academic coursework. It also highlights your passion for consulting and your proactive efforts to create opportunities for yourself and your peers.

However, it's crucial to frame this experience in a way that aligns with your overall interview strategy. Instead of focusing solely on the prestige or accomplishments of the club, emphasize the skills and lessons you gained from the experience. Highlight how you developed your organizational, teamwork, and communication skills through leading the club and organizing events or workshops.

By doing so, you can showcase your ability to effectively manage projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and drive initiatives forward. This will provide the interviewer with valuable insights into your potential as a consultant, without setting unrealistic expectations solely based on your club experience.

Remember, it's important to be authentic and transparent during the interview process. If you genuinely believe that your experience as the founder of the consulting club adds value to your candidacy, I would encourage you to mention it. Just be mindful of how you position it and focus on the skills and lessons learned rather than solely on the club's achievements.

If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask. Good luck with your interview preparations!

Making yourself more valuable will NEVER play against you. 

You are showing drive and proactivity. That plays in your favor.

Yes, they will expect you to know what a case is but… they expect this from everyone.

No, they won't raise the bar because of that. The bar isn't moving between candidates.

For sure! Could make a nice entrepreneurial drive story for instance! Warm regards, Frederic