How to prepare for Strategy& video interview?

Hi there,

This stage is basically an asynchronous behavioural screening rather than a case interview. I would not expect much technical complexity here. The main challenge is giving clear, structured and natural answers without an interviewer there to guide the conversation.

I would prepare it this way:

• Do not prepare it like a case interview. At this stage, the focus is much more on how you communicate, work with others, take ownership, deal with challenges and approach problems.

• Build a small bank of 4 to 5 strong stories covering leadership, teamwork, difficult situations, pressure, initiative and setbacks. I would also prepare Why Strategy& and Why Strategy Consulting properly. Avoid memorising answers word for word; know the stories well enough to adapt them naturally.

• Practise answering to camera. This matters more than people expect. With no interviewer helping the conversation along, concise structure, energy and getting to the point quickly become especially important.

I would not overthink the exact number of questions, as this can vary. The important thing is to be comfortable delivering strong behavioural answers in a recorded format. The more traditional consulting assessment comes later, so I would see this as a screening stage rather than the main consulting interview.

I spent several years at Strategy& and was involved in interviewing candidates, so if you want more detail on what tends to be valued in the process or how to prepare for the later stages, feel free to reach out.

Best,
Carlos

Hello,

Congrats on getting through the online assessment! 

Short answer: treat this as a fit interview, not a case. Expect roughly 4 to 6 questions, mostly "why us" and behavioural. You get ~2 minutes to answer each one. They are checking how clearly you communicate and whether your examples show Strategy&'s values.

I'd prepare in 4 steps:

1. Nail your "why"

1. Why consulting: say what you've done so far, what you enjoyed that is close to consulting work, and what was missing. Then join them up: "I'm good at x and y, and I want more of z."
2. Why Strategy&: give 2 to 3 reasons. Each one should show what they value it and you have done it before. Generic answers get spotted fast. Interviewers see many candidates in a day and hear the same lines again and again. Build your why from your own stories and expertise.

2. Build a small bank of flexible stories

1. Prepare 4 to 6 stories covering leadership, teamwork, conflict, setbacks, initiative and pressure.
2. Choose stories that can flex across several themes. One strong story can often cover leadership, initiative and persuasion.

3. Write each story as STAR bullets, with a number in the result wherever possible:

   1. Situation: the context in one line.
   2. Task: what you had to achieve.
   3. Action: what you did, not the team.
   4. Result: the outcome, ideally with a number.

   Example:

   1. S: our university group project was two weeks behind.
   2. T: I had to get it back on track.
   3. A: I split the work by each person's strengths and set short daily check ins.
   4. R: we submitted on time and got the top mark in the class.

   Don't memorise stories word for word. Remember the key highlights and let the wording flow naturally, so you come across as more genuine.

3. Practice to camera

1. Record yourself answering some of these questions.
2. Answer top down: point first, then the example, then the result. Aim for about 90 seconds.
3. Watch it back once and check your energy and eye contact.

4. Don't overthink the format
The question count and timings vary. A mini case is rare. One or two market sizings done out loud is enough insurance.

General tips since this is a video interview:

1. Camera quality: use a decent HD webcam
2. Eye level: raise the camera to eye level, a stack of books under the laptop does the job for example. Look at the lens, not your own face on screen, it will show more eye contact with the interviewer.
3. Framing: show your head and shoulders down to the middle of your chest, with your eyes about a third of the way down the frame and a little space above your head.
4. Lighting: sit facing a window or a soft lamp. You want your face bright and evenly lit.

Hi there,

You should honestly prepare for this like you do a regular fit :) For this, I advise the following....

Resume walkthrough

• Needs to be chronological
• Only keep important details that make you look good (i.e. I worked across 7 industries and rose up the ranks twice in the course of that role)
• Keep a theme of "why consulting"

I.e. at each step you need to show that you both got exposure to aspects of consulting AND thrived + enjoyed them

Finish with: And that's why I'm here today looking for consulting with your company

Why Consulting

• You need to summarize what you did before along the theme of consulting aspects you liked and consulting aspects that were missing
• You then combine those two - i.e. I know I like + am good at x, y, and z which is required for consulting, and I really am excited to get a, b, and c
• You finish with a "mini" why x company

Why x company

• Start with a "mini" why consulting
• Then have 2-3 reasons why x company is your target
• Every "reason" needs to incorporate 1) That you know they value x 2) That you not only value x but have exhibited it and done it in the past
• Be very very mindful of what they want you to want

Personal Stories

Step 1 - Categorize the main stories

There are 5-10 "themes" you need to prepare for. i.e. Leadership, teamwork, challenge, etc. Figure out this list and make sure your stories cover this range (PM me and I can provide you with a template for this list)

Step 2 - Create FLEXIBLE stories that cover a range of categories

You need to create 4-6 stories that each cover a range of topics. They need to be powerful stories that can be adjusted and adapted based on the question asked.

One of my "core" or "killer" stories was usable for Initiative, Achievement, Leadership, Challenge, Change of direction, AND Persuasion.

Write down these stories along STAR or similar format...use bullet points

Step 3 - Organize these stories so you know which ones can be used for what and PRACTICE

Make sure you cover the whole gambit. Then, practice getting asked a question and thinking of which stories apply. I can assure you, no-one is coming up with full stories in a few seconds. Rather, they have practiced how to adapt an existing story to the question asked.

Have you had the chance to talk to a Recruiter so far? If yes, try to remember exactly what they told you about the interview. Usually they want you to feel prepared so look out for any information they might gave you.

If not, read the received information carefully. Usually there are very specific about what to expect.

For a Fit Interview: They have your CV and they do not want to just hear it from you again. It is a chance to explain the hidden moments behind the station, what makes you special as a person. Why you chose that, why you did that, a special achievement in between, what you are most proud of. So prepare and train that. It is harder than you think to have "your perfect pitch" ready but it makes all the difference. 

And: listen carefully to the interviewer. And do not assume that from what you heard from others, they want to talk about a or b or c. Be open to follow the guidance. 

From my experience with video interviews for both internship and full-time consulting roles, I had around 4–5 questions, mostly behavioural/motivational.

I’d recommend having 3–5 good situations from your past experience ready that you can adapt depending on the question, rather than trying to memorize an answer for every possible question. Use STAR to keep your answers structured.

Most importantly, practice answering within the time limit. It’s very easy to spend too much time setting up the situation and then rush through the actual actions/results. Be confident, keep it conversational, and make sure you actually land the answer before the timer runs out.

Good luck!

Hey there :)

I’d prepare for a mix of motivation, CV based and competency questions. Expect things like why Strategy&, why consulting, why London, and examples of leadership, teamwork or dealing with a difficult situation. There may also be a business related question to see how you approach problems.

The exact number of questions and format can vary by recruitment cycle, so I wouldn’t rely on a fixed structure. I’d practice giving clear, concise answers without sounding rehearsed, and make sure you can explain your motivation for Strategy& specifically.

Best, Alessa :)

Hi there, 

I would start by reaching back to the recruiter and asking for more information on the format of the assessment. Also, ask if they can help provide any materials to help with the preparation. 

The better you understand the format and the requirements, the better you can tailor your prep. You might also then be able to get more tailored advice here in the forum. 

Best,

Cristian

For a recorded answer, make sure the story stands on its own without an interviewer asking for missing context. Practice a true teamwork or setback example, keeping your own actions clear. Taleproof can help check that substance, then record yourself within the time limit in your invitation.