NORTHWESTERN CAREER ADVANCEMENT

• Collaboration 

• Communication and presentation skills (client facing, team based) 

• Data visualization 

• Leadership 

• Problem-solving  

• Project management 

• Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills (advanced Excel) 

• Research 

• Vault is a comprehensive resource for information on what it is like to work within an industry, company or profession. 

• Employer Events: Consulting firms host a variety of events for students including information sessions, “coffee chats,” workshops, and case competitions. “Coffee chats” allow you to meet members of the firm, build your network, and make a positive impression. Workshops are designed to help you prepare for the interview process, and some firms host case competitions to practice case interviewing. Check for opportunities to connect with employers in Handshake and on employer websites.
• Finding Your Fit: You can identify which firms are a good fit by attending events, reviewing firm websites, and networking.   The questions “why consulting?” or “why this firm?” are especially important to reflect on before recruitment. Be prepared to answer these questions thoughtfully. Applying for roles in consulting is a time consuming and competitive process. The number of firms to apply to is a very personal decision. You should consider fit, in addition to your capacity to manage potential interview schedules. Consider applying to a variety of firms that fit your interests given the competitive nature of the industry.
• Leadership: Consulting firms often refer to “leadership” as a skill they seek in ideal candidates. Employers want to see continued involvement and dedication. Leadership is tied to more than just title in an organization. An active group member who helps with projects, recruitment, event planning or works as part of a team or committee also demonstrates leadership.  Consulting firms value all extracurricular involvement.
• Entering consulting with a non-MBA Masters’ degree: Candidates with non-MBA master’s degrees should follow the recruiting calendar for bachelor’s level candidates or check the company’s websites for roles that require a few years of experience. 

ADC/APD: Advanced Degree Candidates/Advanced Professional Degrees. These include PhDs, postdoctoral researchers, JDs, and MDs, but not MBAs. 
 
Case Competitions: Case competitions provide students with an opportunity to compete as individuals or as a team and practice their case interviewing skills. Competitions can be helpful to learn more about working with a team under a short deadline to solve a business problem. 
 
Case Interviews: Usually, a 30–45-minute interview where the employer presents a business scenario or case study; it is used to evaluate candidates’ ability to structure problems, analyze quantitative and qualitative data, do basic calculations, and present compelling recommendations. Practice Cases are readily available on consulting firms’ websites and online.  
 
Casebooks: Casebooks contain business problems like those candidates may encounter in a case interview and will often provide model answers, tips, and evaluation criteria. Candidates should practice mock interviews with another person, not just read them. Casebooks may also include frameworks, industry data, and interview details based on the firm.  
 
Coffee Chats: Employers use coffee chats to connect informally with students about hiring initiatives, or simply build relationships with potential candidates. Coffee chats can be held virtually or in-person to meet students one-on-one or in small groups. 

Early ID/Diversity Programming: Many firms offer programs for specific populations to explore the industry; criteria for who can participate vary by firm. These programs are typically short-term, conference-like events that include educational sessions and networking (rather than a traditional internship structure). In some cases, participants are offered the opportunity to interview for future internships. 

Fit Interview: traditional behavioral interview, evaluating skills and personal characteristics. In consulting, these are brief, 15-20 minutes, and often paired with a case interview. 
 
MBB: McKinsey, BCG and Bain, the “Big 3” Consulting firms. These firms are the primary strategy firms.  

Networking: Networking is a catchall term for making connections with people with the goal of learning more about careers and gaining firsthand knowledge of an application process. Networking can mean speaking with alumni, recruiters, or even your peers about their experiences, advice, and ideas for ways you can find opportunities.   
 
Online Consulting Assessments: Some firms have a virtual component to the interview sometimes referred to as a “game,” “problem solving,” or “skills assessment.” The format varies by firm, and they are usually an early step in the application process. 
 
Recruiter: Recruiters are designated facilitators of finding the best candidates for their company’s roles. Recruiters are available to answer questions about the job or the application process.  
 
ADC Bridge Programs: Some large firms offer short term programs for ADCs to learn more about consulting. These competitive programs also create helpful networking opportunities and can lead to a first-round interview. Applications are due in spring for the summer program. Students should apply the spring before they are ready to apply for full-time positions.  

• Advanced Degree Consulting Alliance
• Alpha Kappa Psi

• Delta Sigma Pi

• CASE – Consultants Advising Student Enterprises

• Campus Catalyst

• Global Research and Consulting

• ISBE Analytics: subgroup of Institute for Student Business Education

• Lambda Strategy

• LEND – Lending for Evanston and Northwestern Development

• SCNO – Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations

• Undergraduate Economics Society

• Women in Business: has a specific consulting subgroup

• TAMID

Advanced Degree candidates in consulting

 The academic training, leadership experience, and problem solving abilities of advanced degree students can be compatible with the attributes of a successful consultant. Additionally, the subject matter expertise of certain PhD programs are in demand for some consulting firms. As consultants are brought in to be problem solvers, you should consider the types of problems you’d like to solve and the role you’d like your subject matter expertise to play in your next chapter. That reflection might draw you towards or away from different practice areas.  
  
Those with advanced degrees considering a career in consulting should familiarize themselves with firms who have hired PhDs in the past, practice case interviewing, and speak with their career adviser about further skill development and networking strategies. 

Application Materials

Prepare the following:

• GRE Scores
• TOEFL Scores (if appropriate)
• Undergraduate GPA
• Graduate GPA
• Graduate Transcript (unofficial)
• Business resume (one- and two-page versions)
• Cover letter (one page)
• Essays on leadership, teamwork, etc. (varies firm-to-firm)

Northwestern Resources

• Kellogg Courses: To prepare for case interviews and gain skills for consulting, watch TGS news at the beginning of each academic quarter for Kellogg courses open to TGS students. These courses are only available pending openings after Kellogg students enroll and are filled on a rolling basis at the beginning of each term.
• Management for PhDs Certificate: Consider enrolling in this summer program offered through a partnership between TGS and Kellogg. 

Firms that have hired PhDs from Northwestern

• McKinsey and Co.
• Bain and Co.
• The Boston Consulting Group
• Deloitte
• PwC
• Strategy&
• Accenture
• L.E.K.

• Exponent Consulting
• Capgemini

• Clearview Healthcare Partners
• ZS Associates
• Huron
• L.E.K.

• Huron
• Education First
• Most strategy firms

• Sales of a popular movie theater chain are decreasing. What is causing the sales to decrease?
• A national nonprofit hoped their annual campaign would continue to fund their efforts, but donations have decreased dramatically. What should the organization do to ensure they can continue providing support to the community across the US?
• A national grocery chain is trying to determine whether it should eliminate more name brand products for its in-house brand. What would you recommend? 

• Profitability – based on profit loss/gain
• Business situation – conceptual/qualitative
• Mergers & Acquisitions – acquiring or merging with another company
• Market Sizing – estimating potential for new product or service

Many of the resources included below will provide a basic understanding of casing structures. Below are two “formulas” that order the steps you will take in a case interview:

• Establish hypothesis + problem solve + synthesize
• Understand problem + ask questions + develop solutions

By understanding the structure of a case interview, frameworks utilized when responding to a case and tips for evaluating quantitative and qualitative information, you can develop the skills and approach that works for you.

Resources:

• CaseCoach: CaseCoach is the leading online case interview prep platform, created by former McKinsey interviewers and headhunters. CaseCoach provides everything you need to prepare for case study interviews used by top consulting firms. Login information for CaseCoach can be found in Handshake under Career Center > Resources > Northwestern Student Resources.
• CaseInterview.com
• My Consulting Offer 
• Vault: Search Vault Guides > Consulting for case guidance as well as information on top firms.

• Case in Point by Marc Cosentino
• Crack the Case System: How to conquer your case interviews by David Ohrvall
• Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng

• Stay up to date with current events in the business world by reading publications such as Harvard Business Review, The Economist, Fortune, Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company.

While reading about case structures and strategies can be helpful, practicing cases with peers will let you develop the necessary skillset. In addition, through networking and engaging with alumni, you may find consultants willing to practice cases with you or provide advice.  
 
Practice is a two-way street, so work to be an excellent case partner – especially when practicing with your peers.

• Ask what types of cases they would like to practice/share a case you would like them to present.
• Review cases in advance so you are familiar with the structure and suggested “answers” prior to leading your partner through a case.
• Consider if you and your partner would like to record your practice cases to review later.
• Provide detailed feedback based on any area they mentioned wanting to focus on and share what areas you would most like to improve/discuss.
• Practice with those who are less experienced, more experienced and at the same point as you in terms of preparation - you can learn a lot from observing how others respond to and approach cases. 

Start early: Prepare in the months prior to going abroad. This includes case preparation, exploring and networking with firms, updating application materials, and identifying firms of interest. Consider adding your study abroad program to your resume so that recruiters are aware that you will be away from campus. 

Research the application and interview processes for your firms of interest. Most firms begin actively recruiting at the end of summer/early fall quarter. 

• An employer is offering only in-person events: Reach out to alumni or recruiters you have connected with previously to see if there are opportunities for you to ask any questions since you are unable to attend their in-person event(s).
• An employer is offering only in-person interviews: Reach out to the recruiter or employee who has been in touch with you about the opportunity to interview. Share that you are studying abroad and ask if they are willing to accommodate a virtual interview. Other options offered by a firm could include interviewing at an international office in-person (if there is one nearby where you are studying) or conducting an in-person interview when you return from your study abroad experience.
• The difference in time-zone is making it challenging to interview: If a virtual interview is already an option, but the times offered are difficult for you to accommodate due to where you are located while studying abroad, you could propose alternative times to the recruiter. Keep in mind that you should still offer times that fall within a standard 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. work day for the interviewers.
• I don’t know how to find someone to contact: If you have already been offered an interview, reply to the recruiter or employee who has been in touch with you. If you are networking, then utilize LinkedIn, OurNorthwestern, and Handshake to find employer, alumni, and student contact information by firm.  
• The firm I am interested in has a deadline before I go abroad: Most firms begin actively recruiting at the end of summer/early fall, but some firms have earlier deadlines prior to fall quarter. If this timeline fits best with your plans to study abroad, apply early. Keep in mind that not all firms offer this early timeline, and early applications lead to earlier offers and decisions. If you do not feel prepared to apply early or would like to consider firms beyond those with early deadlines, please wait.