It is an acknowledged fact that interview processes for C-Suite Business Leaders and pure Business Strategists are rigorous

At Tier One we aim to ensure that our candidates are thoroughly prepared for their interview processes with the client.

We recognise that depending on the nature of role, grade and hiring firm in question the interview processes may comprise different elements. We leverage upon our extensive experience and successful history working with each client to ensure that our candidates are fully familiarised with the processes that they are about to engage in.

Our candidates will therefore be able to access a variety of preparatory resources including:

• Comprehensive, specific and timely verbal briefings of what to expect in the process and when to expect it.
• Tier One Guide to Interviews and Case studies.
• Guidance to a wide variety of online resources for Interviews, Competency Interviews and Case Studies.
• Where applicable, access to crucial insights, hints and tips provided by other candidates who have been through the process.

For generic preparatory purposes the following Interview and Case Study tips are useful to remember:

Interview Tips

At the preparation stage ensure that you cover the following points:

• Prepare thoroughly and do not treat the process lightly. A strong average across all interviewers / rounds will be required in order to receive an offer.
• Research the company background by visiting their website and undertaking other internet based research. Be particularly aware of any topical issues such as a merger and gain an insight into the culture of the firm.
• Ensure you have an understanding of key performance drivers, trends and players in the industry.
• Review both experiences and challenges you have faced in your work and personal life in as much detail as you can recall. When you are asked about your achievements, you will often need to provide specific personal examples (as opposed to group achievements). It is also better to provide a smaller select number of outstanding examples than the opposite.
• Don’t forget that the interview is a two way process: it also gives you the opportunity to ask pre-prepared questions.
• If coming from outside the country of desired employment, think about your links to that destination (e.g. birthplace, family, full time work experience, projects and internships). It is important to firms that candidates have as strong an understanding of the culture and way of conducting business as possible.

At the interview stage ensure you have the following points covered:

• Form a strong rapport with all concerned. It is also important to have at least one interviewer championing your cause.
• Show strong motivations for wishing to join their company as opposed to any other and a passion for strategy. Leave them in no doubt that you are seriously interested in the opportunity.
• Showing high levels of energy, enthusiasm and curiosity is absolutely critical; irrespective of seniority.
• Gravitas is important and if there is any particular relevant business skill or personal quality that you possess and which others don’t, bring this to the fore. Remember, they are looking for a distinctive person and performance.
• Demonstrate your strong interpersonal skills (listening / interacting). Be precise and avoid waffling. Interviewers can spot it a mile off!.
• Remember that interviewers can gain information indirectly by observing how you go about, thinking, structuring and presenting your answers. Some interviewers will not appear to give signs of feedback but don’t be put off. They will actively be ascertaining your confidence, assertiveness and ability to handle situations.
• Ensure that they have confidence in your ability to research and undertake competitor, market and financial analysis / modelling.
• When applying for a Generalist strategy consulting role, be prepared to act as one. Firms are wary of those who look to specialise too early on in their careers.
• Show a sense of understanding / belonging to the cultural fit of the organisation.
• Show a willingness to travel as and when required.
• Language skills may be tested.

Case Study Tips

• Case study preparation is a hugely important part of the overall interview process. Practice as many as possible prior to the interview and where possible ask a consulting colleague / friend to assist in your case preparation.
• Approach the case as a consultant would enter a client or CEOs office and be prepared to undertake the process in a logical and structured format. Remember that the case is a dialogue as opposed to a test and you are not just trying to solve a problem, but solve it for someone else’s benefit. Your solution may well impact upon the underlying value of the company as well as attitudes, jobs and responsibilities.
• The interviewer will give you an initial set of facts. Listen carefully and ensure that you have a complete understanding of these facts. Take notes while the interviewer speaks, so that you can refer to these should you get stuck.
• Relax, take your time and think carefully before speaking. Clarify anything that you are uncertain of in the early stages. Confirm your understanding of the problem to the interviewer and ensure that you help him/her clearly express the objectives that the hypothetical company is looking to accomplish as a result of your recommendations.
• Remember that all the information you require may not be provided. Show a questioning intellect that will allow you to fill in the gaps and subsequently get to the heart of the problem.
• Be prepared to walk the interviewer through your overall approach to the case and also to answer any questions relating to why you chose this approach.
• Begin your analysis with the bigger picture. Focus on the key issues and use them to prioritise and organise issues of lesser importance.
• Concisely state your hypothesis if applicable. While you listen and question, begin developing alternative solutions which can be tested with further questions.
• Your hypothesis can be tested via further questioning and then fine-tuned accordingly. Do not force your solution to fit a standard framework nor look for a silver bullet solution; as complex problems rarely have simple solutions.
• Do not be afraid to revisit your assumptions.
• It is critical to send the right signals by communicating with precision and clarity.
• Manage ambiguity and do not wait for the interviewer to prompt you. However, if you are stuck ask for a minute to think rather than say the first thing that comes into your head. If at any stage he or she offers you assistance in the form of considering a different direction then take it, integrate it and follow another logical path!
• Throughout the process be creative and think outside the box. Approach the problem from multiple viewpoints and look at each as a starting point towards a potential solution. If asked about the benefits of doing something, try and address the drawbacks as well even if not asked as the key is to give a balanced answer to demonstrate your ability to view things from different angles.
• Excellent quantitative skills will be required and an ability to provide quick and dirty estimates .e.g. size of a market for a potential new product.
• Be prepared for the interviewer to focus on part of your answer.
• Be simple and direct. Maintain eye contact and be sure that you have addressed the interviewers concerns and objectives throughout.
• Again, we can’t overstate the importance of practicing case studies.

Applying to us

We welcome the opportunity for candidates to speculatively submit their CV and Covering Letters to us using our contact form.

If you would like to apply to a specific vacancy then this can be accessed via our featured opportunities section.

If you would like to speak with us in the immediate future then feel free to contact us by telephone today.

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.