In-Person Final Interview

Question

Hi everyone,

I've just been invited to a final round in-person interview with the MD. I have already cleared three 60-minutes interviews (case+fit). This final is scheduled for only 30 minutes.

What should I expect with such a short duration (30 mins)? Should I reach out to the recruiter asking if any specific area (case or fit) to be focused on? Any tips or insights?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi!

A 30-minute final with an MD is quite common, so I wouldn’t overthink the duration.

Typically, this kind of interview is:

Fit-focused
More conversational than structured
A final sense check on whether they want to work with you

There may be a light case or a short problem to see how you think, but it’s usually not a full, end-to-end case like earlier rounds. Many MDs rely heavily on feedback from prior interviewers and use this session to form their own judgment.

Feel free to reach out to the recruiter to ask what to focus on, but from my experience, it'll depend on how the MD would want to run it, and the recruiter might not know (I had a recruiter telling me it's just a chat on fit, but the interviewer gave me a case anyway). Since you're already doing it, you might as well be prepared for both.

How to prep:

Polish your fit stories (impact, leadership, conflict, judgment)
Be crystal clear on why this firm, why now
Be ready to discuss your experience at a high level, focusing on decisions and outcomes
Practice 1-2 cases just to stay sharp and familiar

All the best and good luck with the final round!

Answer 2

Congrats on making it to the final round.

With only 30 minutes, it probably won't be a full case. They might ask a short business question or mini-case, but it won't be a full structured case. More likely they'll ask your opinion on something, test your thinking briefly, or discuss a current business topic.

Expect it to be mostly conversational. The MD wants to get a sense of who you are, whether you'd fit the team, and if they can see you in front of clients.

Fit will be the main focus. Why consulting? Why this firm? Why now? What do you want from your career? Be clear and genuine. At this stage, they want to see the real you.

A few tips:

Be yourself. You've passed the hard rounds. Now just show them you're someone they'd enjoy working with.
Know your story cold. Be ready to talk about your background, your motivation, and what you bring to the table. Keep it tight and confident.
Prepare good questions. With a short interview, your questions matter more. Ask about their experience, the team, or where the firm is headed. Make it a real conversation.
Match their energy. MDs are busy and direct. Be confident, concise, and engaging. Don't ramble.

You're almost there. Stay calm, be genuine, and finish strong.

Good luck.