I’ve finally built something that accomplishes just that.

Introducing The Consulting Bible

The second edition is a 92-page interview guide to conquering consulting interviews and landing jobs. Here’s whats new:

1. Two brand-spanking new case studies, including one that’s conversationally-based. You’ll find that some interviewers prefer more interactive discussion, less traditional Q&A. Now you can master both – especially with the running commentary that I’ve added to each case

2. “Ethics and integrity” fit questions. Let’s face it, the corporate world has been remarkably tarnished in the past decade, and client service demands ethical behavior. Master these questions to demonstrate that you have both the instincts and experience to make principled decisions

3. Two new, internationally-focused sizing questions (what I call mini-case studies). Global awareness is key to management consulting success

4. More than 15 additional fit questions scattered across categories including Personality, Teamwork, and Experienced hires

5. A new “Brainteasers” section. While relatively uncommon, chance favors the prepared consultant

6. More case study tips from the experts – learn tactics for tackling open-ended questions and why well-timed pauses can save you from disaster

7. 10 great interview followup questions – because 98% of interviewers miss a chance to make an excellent impression and strengthen the interviewer relationship. The other 2%? They’re getting the offers

Here’s a preview of the Table of Contents:

Here’s what a customer said about the first edition:

How much does it cost?

As a limited time launch promotion, The Consulting Bible will stay at $25. In full transparency, that price will increase to $35 at the end of May.

In addition, by purchasing in this timeframe you’ll still receive free lifetime updates. After the month is over, that bonus will officially end.

It still comes with the same 60-day, 100% money-back guarantee.

If you’re not happy with the interview guide and its promises, email me to get a full refund.

Of the hundreds of customers so far, only 2 have requested refunds. I hope that says enough about the quality of this guide.

Click here for more information, including additional benefits, previews, and customer testimonials.

Thanks everyone for your readership of the site! Based on peoples’ feedback, this week we’ll focus on the consulting lifestyle – everything from job perks to understanding what separates great from mediocre consultants

Here, I’ll focus on 10 key steps to prepare for consulting interviews. As a general piece of advice, the best way to become a great interviewer is to interview in real situations often – thus the rationale behind spreading a wide net and applying to many firms.

Case study preparation

1. Read Case In Point – a high-quality, 100% case-focused resource

2. Review Victor Cheng’s www.caseinterview.com – a former McKinsey consultant, Victor has a great handle on successful case tips and techniques

3. Practice online cases – most consulting firm websites have plenty of cases (Bain even has simulated video case studies). The key here is to attempt answering the question before reading the real answer. There are good consulting websites with case resources as well, including Rice’s Consulting Club

4. Practice cases with friends – if no friends have relevant experience or interest, search Craigslist, consulting forums, and the like for partners

5. Practice sizing and estimation questions all the time (eg, if you see a Lexus while driving, think about how many Lexuses are manufactured in the U.S.). Sounds silly, but this is how you become fast and resourceful

Most important: practicing cases with and getting feedback from actual consultants. Never underestimate their willingness to help, as evidenced in Consultant99’s comment

Fit interview preparation

1. Generate sample fit interview questions and prepare outlined responses – the key is avoid rote memorization, but outline your main points. A useful resource is my guide to consulting interview questions

2. Practice responses in front of a mirror – this helps you become comfortable with body language, pacing, tone, etc

3. Practice with friends – have them ask you questions without prepared responses. Improvisational interview skills will serve you well far into the future

General interview preparation tips

1. Wear something that looks good and makes you feel confident – never underestimate the power of first appearances. Dress like a consultant, and you’ll look like you belong. Great post on consulting dress code here

2. Talk to as many current and former consultants as you can – the better you understand the work, the more comfortable you are with consulting terms like “on the beach” and “scope“, the better you’ll do. It’s also great for job networking

Click here for more on management consulting interviews

Stay connected:

I offer resume editing and mock interviews. I’ll help you stand out from 1000’s of other applicants, land consulting job offers, and break into management consulting.

Are you terrified of solving Disney’s growth strategy for Brazil?

Unsure how to begin estimating the number of rhesus monkeys in India?

You’ve come to the right place.

Through Management Consulted, I’ve written article upon article about the consulting industry. From salaries to travel, from boutiques to MBB, I’ve helped people understand the job, write the perfect resumes, and ace the toughest interviews.

The Consulting Bible blows all of that content out of the water.

Through my resume editing and interview preparation, I’ve helped 50+ people land interviews and offers in the consulting world (including such esteemed firms as McKinsey, BCG, and Mercer). Through hours on the phone, I share every secret that I know – telling them exactly what fit questions to expect, the difference between good and great case study responses, and the interview answer techniques that separate offerees from the rejects.

The Consulting Bible is like a 50 hour phone call with me. And infinitely more entertaining.

Get The Consulting Bible today and be the smartest interviewer in the room.

In it, you’ll find:

• Over 50 key fit questions that will arise specifically in consulting interviews (there are important differences versus finance interviews). Why 50 and not 500? I firmly believe in quality over quantity. These will be 90% of the questions you’ll be asked. And I promise – memorizing these top 50 will give you the content and flexibility to destroy any fit question you’ll ever face.
• 3 sizing questions (what I like to call mini-cases) – including 2 where I provide multiple solution methods. These 3 are comprehensive, complex, and will be more challenging than any you’ll face from MBB
• 2 case studies with exhibits – found exclusively in this guide, these case studies are ground zero for mastering the skills needed to conquer the case

I not only provide specific tips on how to answer each question, but I tell you what the interviewer is looking for and offer an example answer that I’d be comfortable using myself!

Here is the Table of Contents and a sample page so you can get a glimpse of what’s inside!

Wow, it looks pretty good. What else can you tell me?

I’m not done yet. Read this guide and you’ll discover:

On fit and experiential questions…

• The 16 interview tips to make yourself stand out before, during, and after (pg. 6-7)
• One phrase that everyone encourages you to use but you should never say in an actual interview (pg. 6)
• The 5-minute investment on one skill that will make you better than 90% of interviewers (pg. 6)
• 4 secrets to answer any fit question that the best interviewers instinctively know (pg. 8)
• Why your business background prior to an MBA can hurt you, and how to prevent this from happening (pg. 13)
• The 2/4 point structure for tackling resume questions – and how to use this framework for any fit question (pg. 15)
• What to never say when discussing why you turned down return offers (pg. 18)
• 5 personal qualities that consultants universally respect and that you must convey (pg. 19)
• The worst mistake you can make when answering questions about your future (pg. 19)
• How to build rapport through your responses to personality questions (pgs. 21-23)
• 1 personality question where a great answer will knock their socks off (pg. 21)
• 1 topic you must avoid when asked about any question, and particularly about failures (pg. 23)
• An example response that I’d actually be comfortable giving for “Greatest weakness” (pg. 24)
• The 3 questions that if you’re not asked, then I was never a consultant (pgs. 26-28)
• The one component that people always miss when discussing their leadership (pg. 29)
• The toughest question you’ll encounter – and a response that will leave the interviewer eager to work with you! (pgs. 29-30)
• 3 traits to demonstrate a sincere interest in the firm and the industry (pg. 32)
• 2 topics you shouldn’t discuss when asked why you’re interested in management consulting (pgs. 32-33)
• 2 phrases that must be avoided when discussing why you want to work at their firm (pg. 34)
• The best way to answer the question of “Why a boutique?” (pg. 36)
• One critical topic that when explaining a move overseas (or, for international applicants, a move to the U.S.) (pg. 39)
• The 3 checkmarks you must earn in explaining your career change to consulting (pg. 40)
• The Cliff Notes method for sounding like an expert on today’s business topics (pgs. 43-45)
• How to sound like a consultant when asked about specific companies and industries (pg. 44)
• Be prepared for the one business topic that I guarantee will be discussed (pg. 45)
• What you should never say when asked questions about your recruiting status (pg. 47)

On sizing questions and mini-case studies…

• Why sizing questions can be trickier than case studies (pg. 49)
• 4 reasons why they’re asked – and the tips that will help you master them (pg. 49)
• Example questions that you can ask to sound smart without annoying the interviewer (pg. 50)
• Multiple approaches to each question so you see the best solution possible
• The one test that you must know and use with each answer (pg. 51)
• How to be 80/20…without being 50/10 (pg. 53)

On case studies…

• 5 case study principles that the best interviewers know by heart (pg. 57)
• 2 frameworks that must be memorized…and will be used repeatedly (pg. 57)
• 1 thing the best interviewers do that automatically makes you sound like a consultant (pg. 57)
• Example questions that you can ask to sound smart for each case
• Suggestions on creative responses – so you can be both structured and out-of-the-box
• Example differences between good answers and truly distinctive responses (pgs. 61-62)
• The 3 components of summary responses – aka, the elevator test
• Quantitative questions that cover market size, marginal profit, fixed and variable costs, and other key concepts that you must know

Of course, nothing’s perfect.

The Consulting Bible could have 100 sizing questions. 50 case studies. You know what? IT WILL SOON. And if you buy now, you’ll receive lifetime updates for free, straight to your inbox.

Here’s my guarantee to you – at least once every other month (6x/year), I’ll update this guide to add more fit questions; more sizing questions; more case studies. People who buy now – before the 2nd edition is out – will get lifetime updates for free. That offer ends when I release the 2nd edition

I’m already working on it – there will be at least 3 more case studies and 5 more sizing questions…not to mention 10s of additional interview questions.

60-day, 100% money-back guarantee

If you aren’t 100% satisfied, email me and I’ll personally refund your money. No questions asked. You get to keep the guide, and you’ll get a 100% refund.

This all sounds great. What’s the cost?

It’s only $25. It’s a bargain given how comprehensive it is. You can buy case study books – but they won’t include sizing questions, and they definitely won’t include fit questions. And there isn’t a single quality guide with interview questions dedicated specifically to consulting.

There’s no waiting. It’s an ebook (PDF file) – you download it immediately after purchase. No shipping, no hassle!

You’ll get free lifetime updates – which will be coming often. In fact, I’ll say it right here – I plan to release the 2nd edition by the end of February. It will be much more expensive than $25.

My final parting words:

The Consulting Bible is incredibly affordable for two reasons:

1. It’s relatively new, and I want to reward early believers

2. I want people to get 10x their money’s worth. Not 2x, not 5x, but 10x. I believe that after reading this guide and diligently working through each question, you’ll be 10x more prepared to ace interviews and land offers.

I want you to be successful – because your success will reflect well on me, The Consulting Bible, and Management Consulted

Hey, even I can be suspicious when it comes to spending money online. After all, we’re growing up in an age where many of the best services are free!

But trust me – this guide is worth every penny of that $25. I invested far more time than I planned – I pushed back the release date twice to add more content, more questions, and more insights.

Finally, if you purchase the guide and don’t agree with me 100%, you can always return it for a full refund. And if you do so, I only ask that you provide me feedback on how to make it better. Because I see this project as a lifelong investment – it’s going to get better, bigger, and more useful.

Get The Consulting Bible today and be the smartest interviewer in the room

Payments are processed through PayPal, which is 100% safe and secure

Click to purchase! Remember, it’s a PDF that’s delivered electronically. Buy it now, and you’ll immediately be able to start learning every secret I know.

Additional questions:

Will the guide be helpful for senior positions?

Absolutely. The tips for each section and many of the questions will be similar. There’s even a section on questions for experienced hires/career changers.

I’m interviewing for IT/technology consulting positions. How can the guide help me?

Your interview will naturally differ from the strategy consulting model – but they will ask questions about your resume, your background, your preparation for the job. All of which are covered in this guide.

Why are there no “technical questions”?

Unlike finance, management consulting interviews rarely ask technical questions. The closest you’ll come are questions about current business topics (which are addressed). The technical skills needed for consulting are tested in sizing questions and case studies – which this guide discusses in-depth.

• More than 50 fit/personality interview questions with example answers for each. I’m shooting for quality and not quantity – so mastering these 50 will give you the content, preparation, and flexibility to answer just about any fit or behavioral question thrown at you
• 3 technical “sizing” questions and multiple solutions – including secrets on how you can conquer any sizing question no matter how complex or unstructured
• 2 extensive, never-before-seen case studies – testing you on the 5 case study principles that all top candidates instinctively know and which you must excel at to receive an offer

Below, I’ll give you a quick preview of the 2 most common and most important fit/behavioral interview questions

#1. Take a few minutes and run me through the key things I should know from your resume

They’re looking for: this question is usually asked for several reasons -

• The interviewer was too busy and didn’t have time to review your resume
• The interviewer wants to see what you think are your most important experiences and accomplishments
• The interviewer wants to test your presentation skills and ability to give an effective soundbite

The secret to this question is to prepare in advance. I guarantee it will be asked of you multiple times in your interviewing life. It’s that common and it’s something that the successful candidates nail

You should:

• Briefly highlight your educational background
• Highlight at least 2 work experiences touching upon at least 2 bullet points in each
• Focus on results and not process (eg, “I implemented a new process that saved each employee 30 minutes/day” and not “I worked on creating a new process for how employees would document how they spent their time”)
• Speak slowly and calmly

You shouldn’t:

• Speak quickly and rush
• Spend all of your time talking about your educational background
• Focus on only one work experience – unless that’s truly all you have

Sample response:

No problem. Let’s start with the education portion of my resume: I graduated Yale in 2007, majoring in Economics and Political Science. During my time there, I was actively involved with both the Yale Finance Club – serving as its president while tripling the size of the group, and the school newspaper, where I worked for 3 years before rising to editor-in-chief in my last year. In terms of work experience, the one job I’d highlight is my summer as an investment analyst with Prudential. I spent 3 months with the firm analyzing stocks, providing buy/sell recommendations, and doing fundamental and technical research on a large portfolio. In fact, one of my recommendations ended up being their “stock pick of the month”. It taught me alot about financial markets and how to value companies and their equity.

#2. Why are you interested in management consulting as a career?

They’re looking for: a solid understanding of the job and industry. An appreciation for the skills/personality traits needed to be successful in management consulting. A “subtle sell” of your strengths – as opposed to “direct sell” (an example of a subtle sell would be: “I’ve always been a very curious person with a passion for learning. My understanding of management consulting is that learning is an integral part of the job.”)

You should:

• Include components of the items listed above
• Keep the answer to a minute or less
• Mention the people – it’s a very reliable response to mention the talent/intelligence/ambition/hard-work of management consultants. Not only does it compliment the interviewer indirectly, it tells the interviewer what personality traits you respect and emulate

You shouldn’t:

• Forget any of the above 3 components
• Discuss the particular company you’re interviewing with unless specifically asked – their question is not why you want to work for them, but why you’re interested in their line of work
• Discuss the superficial characteristics such as pay and perks. Travel is OK

Sample response:

I

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