Management Consulting Interviews - Making The Right Impression

If you would like to learn how to make a good first impression at every interview you ever attend from this point forward, then this article will show you how.

Doing Management Consulting Interviews the Right Way

Before I put ‘finger to keyboard’ for this article, I did some research to find out what others recommend. The best advice I could find was:

• Wear a suit

• Arrive on time

• Shake the interviewer’s hand

• Smile

• Etc, etc.

Frankly, if you don’t know those things then there’s probably nothing I can share with you here that will help you land a job.

But, if you’re reading this and you already plan to arrive on time, dress well, and crack a smile, then you’re in the right place. Anyway. As I was reading those articles it reminded of a story I once read. I can’t remember where, unfortunately, but here’s what happened...

A story about a job interview

There was a girl that went to a job interview. She was very nervous.

As she was leaving the interview room she was so nervous that she dropped her pen. And as she leaned forward, red in the face, the interviewer bent down also.

He picked up the pen and said:

“Here you go. Relax — you got the job.”

And, the storyteller made the point:

We all tend to feel uncomfortable around people that seem perfect. And, the girl was so human that the interviewers felt incredibly comfortable. They liked her.

She probably didn’t realise, but being more human (in this case, nervous) actually made her more persuasive.

It reminds me of the old sales adage:

People only buy from those they know, like and trust.

This applies to interviews, too. And why wouldn’t it? After all, when you go to an interview you’re trying to sell yourself as the best candidate for the job. That doesn’t mean you have to act like a sleazy used car salesman.

Rather, by being honest about your faults and embellishing them. By being yourself. By laughing, smiling, and being curious.

And, yes. By appearing nervous if that’s how you feel. Ironically, being safe in the knowledge that nervousness can make you more persuasive, you might find yourself a little more relaxed at the next interview.

That’s how to make a real, honest first impression!

With more and more interviews taking place online, make sure you nail the online interview. Read our tips for improving video interview skills for management consultants. 

If you're looking for your next role, view our latest management consulting jobs. You can also contact us, or submit your CV.

27th Nov 2018