Management Consulting Interviews - How To Make The Right Impression

Need advice on how to make a good first impression at every interview you ever attend? Take a look at this article for some great tips. 

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! This should be common sense that even if it doesn't come naturally, you should be aware that you need to do it to suceed in an interview!

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.

As I was reading those articles, it reminded me of a story I once read. 

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. If you try to be someone you're not, it will emerge sooner or later, and you don't want to spend an entire career not being true to yourself.

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.