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Consulting

Consulting professionals help organizations solve complex challenges, improve performance, and achieve strategic goals. Consultants work across industries, bringing analytical expertise, fresh perspectives, and recommendations to address business problems. Consulting includes specialties such as management, strategy, operations, technology, human capital, healthcare, economics, nonprofit, government, and marketing. Many Northwestern students are drawn to consulting because it offers exposure to a variety of industries, fast-paced projects, and opportunities to develop and apply both analytical and interpersonal skills.

Skills to develop success in this field

  • Analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative)
  • Communication (client-facing and team-based)
  • Data interpretation and visualization (Excel and other analytical tools)
  • Leadership 
  • Presentation skills
  • Problem-solving  
  • Project management 
  • Research 

Online resources specific to the industry

  • Vault is a comprehensive resource for information on what it is like to work within an industry, company or profession. For specific information about Consulting go to: Vault > Rankings & Career Info > Industries > All Industries > Consulting.
Additional resources specific to Case Interviewing are included below.

Key information or knowledge for this field

  • 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: Identifying firms that fit your interests is an important part of the recruiting process. Attend employer events, explore firm websites, and connect with alumni and professionals to learn about different organizations. Be prepared to clearly answer the questions "Why consulting?" and "Why this firm?" Employers expect thoughtful responses that demonstrate self-awareness and genuine interest. Consulting recruiting is highly competitive and time-consuming. When developing your search strategy and deciding how many firms to apply to, consider both fit and your capacity to manage networking and potential interviews.
  • Leadership: Consulting firms value candidates who demonstrate initiative, commitment, and impact. Leadership can take many forms and is not limited to specific positions or formal titles. Consistent involvement and dedication to organizations, project work, event planning, recruiting, or team-based contributions can all demonstrate skills employers seek in ideal candidates.
  • 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. 

Glossary

ADC/APD: Advanced Degree Candidates/Advanced Professional Degrees. These include PhDs, postdoctoral researchers, JDs, and MDs, but not MBAs. 

ADC Bridge Programs: Competitive programs offered by large firms for Advanced Degree Candidates that provide exposure to consulting, networking opportunities, and professional development. Some participants may be invited to interview for future positions. Applications open in the spring for summer programs.

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: A 30–45-minute interview in which candidates analyze a business scenario provided by the employer and present recommendations. Employers use case interviews to assess problem-solving, analytical, quantitative, and communication skills. Practice cases are often available on consulting firms’ websites.

Casebooks: Resources designed to help candidates prepare and practice for case interviews. They typically include practice cases, frameworks, sample solutions, and interview tips, and are most effective when used with a partner in a mock interview.

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 Programming: Short-term programs that introduce students to consulting through learning, exploration, and networking opportunities. In some cases, participants are invited 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: Connecting and building relationships with professionals, alumni, recruiters, and peers to learn about careers, gain industry insights, and identify 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.

 

Relevant student groups and professional associations

Northwestern Student Groups:

Special considerations for graduate students

Advanced Degree candidates in consulting

Advanced degree candidates often bring strong research, leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills that align well with consulting. Some firms also seek specialized expertise from PhD, MD, and other advanced degree programs. As you explore consulting, consider both the types of problems you want to solve and how you would like to apply your subject-matter expertise.

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

Management Consulting:
  • McKinsey and Co.
  • Bain and Co.
  • The Boston Consulting Group
  • Deloitte
  • PwC
  • Strategy&
  • Accenture
  • L.E.K.
Technical Consulting:
  • Exponent Consulting
  • Capgemini
Healthcare Consulting:
These firms tend to hire PhDs and postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences and biomedical engineering, as well as MDs
  • Clearview Healthcare Partners
  • ZS Associates
  • Huron
  • L.E.K.
Educational Consulting:
  • Huron
  • Education First
  • Most strategy firms

 

Case Interviewing

What is a case interview?

A case interview is a real-time problem-solving exercise designed to assess how you approach business challenges; the format replicates a consultant’s interaction with a client. During a 30–45 minute interview, you'll analyze quantitative and qualitative information, ask questions, develop recommendations, and communicate your thought process and ideas. Employers use cases to evaluate analytical skills, creativity, business judgment, and communication skills. Preparing for a case interview is about demonstrating your ability to think and work like a consultant. 
  • 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? 

Common types of cases

The subject matter of a case will often fall into one of the following categories:

  • Business & Growth Strategy – evaluate opportunities to grow through new products, customers, markets, or geographies
  • Market Entry – evaluate whether a company should enter a new market, geography, or customer segment
  • Market Sizing – estimate the size of a potential demand for a product, service, or market
  • Mergers & Acquisitions – assess whether a company should acquire, merge with, or sell another business
  • Profitability – identify why profits have increased or decreased and recommend solutions
  •  

Many cases combine elements from multiple categories. For example, a market-entry case may also include market-sizing or profitability analysis.

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

Resources and case prep

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: For case interview guidance, information on top firms, and additional industry-specific resources go to Vault > Guides > Consulting
Books: 
  • 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
Tips: 
  • Stay informed about business, technology, AI, healthcare, and economic trends that may affect clients and industries. Consider reading publications such as Harvard Business Review, The Economist, Fortune, Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company.

Practice cases with peers and/or alumni

While reading about case structures and strategies can be helpful, practicing cases with peers will let you develop the necessary skillset. You may also find consultants willing to practice cases with you and/or provide advice through networking and engaging with alumni.

Be a strong case partner:

  • Discuss goals before beginning any practice session
  • Review the case in advance if you are leading, to familiarize yourself with the structure
  • Consider recording practice sessions
  • Provide specific, constructive feedback
  • Practice with peers at different experience levels; you can learn a lot from observing how others respond to and approach cases

Attend employer and NCA hosted events

Employers often host case workshops (mostly during spring/summer quarters) that will explain firm specific structure for case interviews. They may also host case competitions that allow students to form teams and practice case scenarios (these most often take place in winter/spring quarters).  NCA also hosts events with employers and alumni for case practice .

Consulting & Study Abroad

Applying for consulting roles while studying abroad is possible but requires some planning. For help navigating your internship or full-time search, meet with an NCA adviser and see our top tips below.

Plan timelines

Start early in the months prior to going abroad. Planning and preparation might include:

  • Preparing for case interviews
  • Updating application materials; consider adding your study abroad program to your resume so that recruiters know that you will be away from campus
  • Exploring and networking with firms
  • Identifying firms of interest
  • Researching the application and interview processes for your firms of interest

Ask questions

Inquire about the employer’s plans for interviewing candidates virtually or in-person. In the last couple of years virtual interviews have become more commonplace. If an employer mentions they will be hosting in-person events or interviews, ask if they can accommodate virtual options to connect.

Possible scenarios

Below are a few situations or challenges you may encounter and ways to address them:
  • An employer is offering only in-person events: Reach out to alumni or recruiter connections 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 other contact). Share that you are studying abroad and ask if they are willing to accommodate a virtual interview. If not, other options could include interviewing in-person at an international office (if there is a location nearby) or interviewing in-person when you return from your study abroad experience.
  • The time difference 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 the time zone where you’re studying abroad, propose alternative times to the recruiter. You should still offer times that fall within the employer’s standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday.
  • 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, Our Northwestern, 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: Some firms have deadlines in the summer, prior to fall quarter. If this deadline aligns better with your plans to study abroad, apply early. Keep in mind that not all firms offer an early deadline, and earlier application deadlines lead to earlier offers and decisions. If you do not feel prepared to apply early or would like to consider additional firms, please wait.