Pre-Screening Phone Interview With Oliver Wyman

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New answer on Jul 24, 2020
4 Answers
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Anonymous B asked on Jun 08, 2017

Hi there,

I've been networking with OW in several countries and recently got good feedbacks from a couple of partners in one of them.

I was expecting to get some informal talks with them on the phone but I just received an email scheduling a "pre-screening interview call" with a principal. On the email, it stated it would be a 30-minute call.

I'm assuming one of the partners actually move my cv forward and I was selected.

Does anyone have experience with pre-screening interview calls? What should I prepare and aim at?

Thank you for helping out.

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Best answer
Francesco
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 10, 2017
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

pre-screening interview calls are usually fit-only calls, where you are judged on attitude, personality and communication. The usual questions are the same you would get in the fit part in the actual interview; the most common ones include:

  • Tell me about yourself
  • Why do you want to work for in our industry/company
  • Tell me about a time when you failed
  • What are your three top strengths and weaknesses
  • Tell me about a time when your idea was criticized
  • Which role do you play in a team
  • Why should I hire you

Sometimes, in particular if you perform very well, you may also get a mini case (usually 10 minutes max). Given the limited amount of time and the fact that you are over the phone or on Skype, that usually is based on market sizing.

One thing many candidates neglect to do at this stage is to prepare their own questions. Relevant questions at the end are a great way to show your interest in the company and get additional points. In the first reply at the following post you can find some more information on the ideal type of questions to ask at the end of your call:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/open-house-at-bcg-311

Hope this helps,

Francesco

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Originally answered question:

Phone Interview with Oliver Wyman - tips?

Astrid
Admin
replied on Feb 24, 2017
PrepLounge Head of Product & Marketing

Hi Anonymous A,

thanks for asking your question on our Consulting Q&A :)

I found an old Q&A that might be interesting for you. It is not particularly about the phone interview with Oliver Wyman, but with McKinsey. Here are the experiences two of our users share:

  • The case has the same kind of structure as a normal McK interview, but without graphs since it’s via phone. So the interviewer will give you the case problem (in my case it was market entry) and you have to approach it like you would a normal case, so first of all elaborate your structure how to approach it (issue tree). You will have to do some calculations, but they are really not so difficult. And then at the end you have to give the recommendation and support it with the arguments as the closing statement, also including risks. As you see it’s really like the normal kind of case but simpler I would say. It is a bit weird not being face to face to the person, so maybe practice as well such kind of setting to get used to it. Hope it goes well!
  • its cake. it will be given by a mckinsey alum, and is typically going to be one of the simplest cases you'll ever do... probably simpler and quicker than any of the ones here. its simply there to weed out people who aren't going to advance early in the process without going through the trouble of flying them out, having current managers talk to him/her, etc.

For the Q&A, check the following link: McKinsey's phone case interview

I hope this is helpful for you!

Best of luck for your interview!

Astrid

PrepLounge Community Management

PrepLounge Consulting Q&A Forum

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Originally answered question:

Phone Interview with Oliver Wyman - tips?

Anonymous C replied on Feb 22, 2017

Hi! My phone interview with OW included a very short personal fit/conversational interview part at the beginning (they asked me why OW, why consulting). Then I had to solve two short cases (one was market entry, one growth strategy case). Overall the interview took just half an hour and it was quite hectic but the cases were not difficult. Bonne chance!

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Anonymous replied on Jul 24, 2020

Hey A,

I’ve helped couple of people to get offers from Oliver Wyman.

The questions will typically include

  • CV screening
  • Motivation for consulting
  • Motivation for this region
  • Motivation for Oliver Wyman

You need to show your integrity with the company’s values!

If you need more insights or help to convert your interview to the offer, just let me know ;)

Best,

André

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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