Hello, I'm a Manager in Accenture Strategy&Consulting working at Milan Office. Through an executive recruiting firm I got an initial interview next week with Strategy& Middle East (Dubai Office). Can someone give me some insights on the selection process for a managerial role and tips for the preparation?
Hello!
Given your background, you already know a lot about this! It´s not going to be different than what you did in your previous set of interviews.
Given that you interview for a manager position, the FIT portion of it will be focused on your managerial skills ofc, but apart form that not big differences.
You have 2 main workstreams ahead:
1. FIT INTERVIEW
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
You can see plenty of reviews from candidates who purchased it already.
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
Furthermore, you can find 3 FREE Expert Articles on PreLounge, in a sreies dedicated to preparing for the different parts of FIT:
1. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/cv-interview-questions
2. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/motivational-fit-interview-questions
3. https://www.preplounge.com/en/behavioral-interview-questions
Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch
2. BUSINESS CASE
You don´t have any more time to the classics of Viktor Cheng, "Case in point" book, etc. You need to get hands on asap:
1. Practice cases with partners asap, as many as you can do.Find experienced partners who can provide a good feedback
2. Practice your math skills, both in your cases and with ad hoc exercisess, such as:
1. Multiplying double digit numbers (you can find videos about this in Youtube, unfortunately we cannot post the link here but they are easy to find)
2. Leveraging math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice
Furthermore, you should practice as much as you can, and ensure that you cover:
1. Profitability cases- basic profitability framework.
2. Idea generation cases: for any specif issue
3. Growth cases: market penetration, new product launch, product mix change, etc.
4. Pricing cases
5. M&A cases
6. Valuation cases
7. Value chain cases
Given you are under this much time contraint, consider working with a coach to foster speed and ensure you have a tailored plan to be very targeted. PM me interested!
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hi Simone,
I helped several candidates to get offers from S& ME. Some common questions they ask are related to:
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For general case prep, I would recommend the following:
▶ https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/only-one-month-for-my-first-interview-at-mbb-14567
Compared to a junior role, the process for senior roles usually includes:
In case you need help please feel free to PM me, I know 30+ real case questions asked there.
Best,
Francesco
Hi Francesco, thanks for your answer.
Hi there,
Congrats on getting the interview!
So, you need to be prepared for case, fit, and potentially market sizing. Now, for the higher level hires, you should expect the interview to be a bit more “fluid”. While there may still be cases, you are also more likely to have a series of brainstorming questions. Discussion is likely to be more conversational and dive more into your industry expertise (i.e. “how would you think about this”, or “what do you think are the key factors for this”).
Now, quite honestly there isn't much time and it's a tall order to get ready in just a week on your own. “Tips” are only going to get you so far and I do highly recommend you get a coach to increase your odds - ultimately your call!
Case Advice: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case
Fit Advice: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question
Hi Ian, I supposed that the interviews for senior roles would be a bit more "conversational" and focused more on the previous work experience than on cases. Now my case is a bit tricky as the interview is for a job in TMT but I've 4+y experience in Financial Services (even if I also have some experience in Media industry). I think I should do some cases related to TMT in order to refresh the industry knowledge.
Hi Simone, great question.
When interviewing candidates for a Manager role, a lot of the same principles of excelling in the case and fit apply, with 3 differences:
1) I expect a Manager to be really good at the case and will give less margin for error. I also expect them to solve it confidently and to take control, as they would when running a case in real life
2) I expect them to have some idea (not necessarily a firm idea yet, but at least some notions) about what is their area of specialization and how that will fit in with the firm/office they are recruiting for
3) I would expect them to have some good examples from their work experience (rather than from University etc.) for fit type questions
Hope this is useful for you!
Kind regards,
Kurt
Hi Kurt, thanks for your answer. My first interview is a 30' initial video-call with a Senior Executive at the company; considering the short timing I suppose it would be more about "fit" part and previous work experience. I hope this first step will go smooth so that I will have some time to prepare before the next rounds.
Hi there,
please reach out via PM if you'd like to learn more. I have a few people working for S& Dubai in my close network - will be happy to connect you for an informal chat.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Andi
Hello Clara and thanks for you answer. I tried to take some time for the preparation but the firm seems quite "pressing" in the interview scheduling process. In any case I hope that the first step will be more focused on the "fit" portion so that I gain some time to prepare for cases. Even if I have 7y experience in consulting I need some time to practice, considering that I'm applying for a role in TMT but the majority of my experience is related to Financial Services. I'd expect the cases to be quite industry-specific.