You're getting ready for an interview with top consulting firm Kearney and want to know how the application process works? Then this Kearney Interview Guide is just right for you.
We'll walk you through Kearney’s history and culture, the step-by-step process of applying and what you can expect during the interviews. Plus, we’ll share helpful tips that have already guided other future consultants successfully through recruiting.
Whether you're a student or a recent graduate looking to join the Kearney team, keep reading and find out everything you need to know.
Today, Kearney is one of the world’s leading consulting firms, with over 4,000 employees in more than 40 countries. And the best part? Kearney is just the right size for you.
Your ideas matter. Whether it's for Fortune 500 clients, DAX companies or international mid-sized firms, your input makes a real difference. At the same time, Kearney still feels close-knit and personal. Teams in buzzing cities like Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich, Vienna and Zurich know and support each other. It's the kind of place where you don’t just grow professionally.
At Kearney, you get the chance to bring your personality to the table, help your team and clients, dive deep into real business challenges and find smart solutions that actually stick.
As you might already know, the application process in consulting usually has several steps. Here's an overview of the typical Kearney process so you know exactly what to expect. Keep in mind that the details can vary a bit depending on the location and role.
Your first step toward a job at Kearney is the online application. You’ll need to upload your CV and all relevant documents, like your high school diploma, university degrees (Bachelor/Master) and any internship or job references. This usually happens through Kearney’s career page. You might be asked to provide a few more documents or personal details, but everything is explained clearly in the job posting and online system.
In the first round, you’ll usually have three one-on-one interviews, each lasting around 55 minutes, with Kearney consultants. The interviews include a behavioral part where you’ll talk about yourself, your background and your motivation. But you’ll also work through short case questions. Your interviewers want to see how you approach problems, how you think and how you come up with solutions.
If you impress in the first round, you’ll move on to the final interview round. This time, you’ll meet with a senior Kearney partner. The structure and evaluation are similar to the first round. Make sure to show strong strategic thinking and the ability to explain complex ideas clearly.
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. If you’ve made it through all the steps and impressed your interviewers, you’ll get a job offer from Kearney within a few days. The offer includes all the key details about your role, salary, benefits and start date. You can then decide whether to accept or decline the offer.
Like at most consulting firms, the process from your online application to the final offer can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
We recommend submitting your application at least four months before your preferred start date. After the interviews, you’ll usually hear back from the Kearney team within about a week.
The interviews at Kearney include both case interviews and behavioral questions. Here's a quick overview of what each type looks like:
In a case interview, your skills in numbers, business thinking and strategic mindset are key.
At Kearney, most case studies are candidate-led – that means it's your job to guide the conversation. After the interviewer presents a business problem, it's up to you to ask the right questions, structure your approach and drive the analysis forward.
These cases are based on real Kearney projects, so being comfortable with large numbers and complex calculations is essential. Just as important is your ability to understand business logic and make strategic decisions.
In behavioral interviews, the focus is on your personality and how well you fit with Kearney’s culture. Be ready to answer questions about your experience with teamwork, conflict resolution and leadership.
Here are a few examples of what you might be asked:
👉 Use our stress question tool to prepare for common question types in a structured way.
Now that you know the process and what to expect in the interviews at Kearney, here are a few tips to help you get ready in the best possible way.
Since Kearney interviews are often number-heavy, it's important to train your math abilities for case studies. Practice basic calculations and learn how to estimate market sizes or key client metrics.
👉 Want to boost your math skills? Try out our Mental Math Tool!
You don’t need to pretend to be someone else. Just make sure to highlight the qualities Kearney values, including:
During the interviews, you’ll have a chance to ask specific questions. Be ready by having a solid base of knowledge about Kearney.
Check out our Kearney company profile for helpful insights into your career start at this top consulting firm.
Mock interviews are practice sessions where you go through common interview scenarios. They help you build confidence, improve your communication and get feedback on your approach. It's also a great way to simulate real case questions under time pressure.
👉 Use our meeting board to connect with others and practice real cases together.
The application process at Kearney is challenging, but also clear and well-structured. It includes two interview rounds that focus on your motivation, analytical thinking and strategic judgment. Especially in the case interview, you’ll need to show that you can break down complex business problems and solve them using numbers, typically in a candidate-led format.
If you want to stand out at Kearney, it’s not just about your skills. Your personality matters too. Traits like curiosity, team spirit and creative thinking are genuinely appreciated.
Strong preparation means practicing your math, doing mock interviews under real conditions and understanding the company’s culture. The better you know the process, the more confident you’ll be when it really counts.
