Invited to interview for Manager @ Oliver Wyman

Hi there,

First off, good luck in the interview!

Now, the #1 thing to remember at Manager level interviews is that you should expect nothing.

These Partners could give you all classic cases. Or, they could give you all completely unconventional cases.

Or, they could give you zero cases and just ask you brainstorming questions, scenario-based questions, expertise-based questions, etc. 

They might even create a case for you on the spot through scribbles they made on a piece of paper (yes, this just happened to one of my candidates).

Or, somewhere in between this.

So, train your skills, rather than studying like you do for a Biology exam in college.

Now, to your questions :)

1) what sorts of Cases to expect;

ANY and ALL. Please don't go in expecting anything. If you expect, it's more likely you will be wrong than right.

 2) whether the Fit portions of the interview will have a different focus than standard recruiting interviews;

Likely, yes. In the sense that they will dive deeper, want to have a genuine conversation etc. As you go higher up, it's more likely they'll “have a chat” with probing and followup questions, rather than just “tell me about a time”.

 3) what mistakes to avoid,

Doing what everyone else does.

Don't go in expecting x and y. Don't go in with the mindset of “taking a test”. Go in with the mindset of being assessed as a consulting!

Oh, look here, just so happens I've written about the 4 most common mistakes to avoid :)

1. Waiting until you have an interview to prep
2. Using the wrong resources
3. Going cheap
4. Trying to boil the ocean

Here's some mindset shift reading that's important for you to absord 

4) what values and soft skill sets to emphasise

Here's my sentence for an optimal candidate (what you're trying to demonstrate to them):

"Someone who can approach a complicated problem and think + communicate in a structured way in the right context+objective of the case, while being personable, adaptable, and coachable, so that, ultimately, the interviewer can see themselves working with this individual and putting them in front of a client."

 5) what kinds of questions would be best for ME to ask at the conclusion of each interview.

Genuine questions. Have a conversation. Ask about them. Ask about the topic. No different to any of your past interviews! I have a list if you need ideas.

For now, I have been busying myself with:

A] Reviewing the profiles of the 2 Partners interviewing me. I am researching their industries of expertise and looking to practice Cases in those industries;

Careful. This is “good”, but don't get locked into this. They may give you a totally different case.

B] Practising Cases with an industry focus that mirrors that in the south-east Asia offices

Again, “good”, but don't get too locked in either

C] Clarifying my Motivation stories for Oliver Wyman (why I want to come back to Consulting, why I want to work in that region, etc)

Great. Practice this outloud. Record yourself. Practice with someone to make sure it's natural. And, don't forget all of the other fit questions! (What makes a good manager, how would you handle x type of client, have you even done x, what are your weaknesses, etc.)

D] Searching for sources that can confirm the style of Fit questions asked for experienced hire at Oliver Wyman

Meh. “Good”, but, again, don't lock yourself in! You're having a conversation with another human. PArtner A is going to have a different style of fit to Partner B.

Rather, just learn how to talk an interviewer like a person/human. Again, just like any other interview.

Final Note: Don't “expect” things

It's great you're doing your research! But, just remember, actual interviews are fluid/dynamic and depend on the person interviewing you.

Just as a reference, check out how this interview with McKinsey went for one of my recent candidates (you know, the McKinsey PEI that is “set in stone” and you can “100% gaurentee these will be the 3 questions they ask”)