231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfidentialP0InterviewSkillsTrainingConfidentialAugust,2000marchFIRSTStrategyConsultingPractice231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfidentialP1TableOfContents•DefinitionofaGoodCandidate•EffectiveInterviewingTechniques•ConductinganEffectiveCaseInterview•ContactingCandidatesaftertheInterview•AppendixAAppraisalCriteriaBExamplesofCriteriaBasedQuestioningCExampleofa“GoodCase”231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfidentialP2DefinitionOfAGoodCandidateEvaluationCriteriaDescriptions•Logicalreasoning,drivefordeepunderstandingofproblem/solution,rawanalytichorsepowerAnalyticcapacityProblemstructuring/synthesisCreativityBusinessjudgementQuantitativeability•Isabletorecognizeaproblem/opportunityindependently,structurecomplexissues,anddrawconclusions•Unusualinsightsorwaysoflookingatproblems•Practicalapproachandbusinessjudgement,toleranceofambiguity•Intuitivefeelforapplyingnumbers,senseofproportion/appropriateordersofmagnitudePresence•Engaging,assertive,self-confident,articulate,notarrogant,enthusiastic,interestedEmpathyTeamwork•Comfortable,opencommunicationstyle;abilitytolisten,perceptiveofother’sfeelings,genuine•Willingnessanddesiretoworkinteams,interestedinandabletobuildateam1.ProblemSolving2.PersonalImpact3.Leadership4.Drive/HistoryofAchievement•Interestandabilitytoformandmotivateahighperformingteaminaformalorinformalleadershiprole,makewinnersoutofpeers,bosses,andsubordinatesLeadershipEntrepreneurship•Willingtotakepersonalrisks,“breakthemold”•Appearstomakethingshappen,hardworker,has“cando”attitude,“comfortablebeinguncomfortable”Aspiration/AchievementEnergylevel/perseverance•Setsandachieveshighaspirations,excelsdespiteobstacles,focusedonresults,clearrecordofachievement,hasastrongbiasforaction231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfidentialP3Personalimpact,leadership,drive/aspirationUnacceptableMeetsDistinctiveProblemsolvingUnacceptableMeetsDistinctiveTurndownHireHireTurndownTurndownHireTurndownTurndownTurndownRemember•Meetsisnotjustokay;itmeansmeetsthefirm'shighstandards•Distinctivemeanswillbeinthetop25%ofconsultants–willbeknownforthisstrength(thinkofotherconsultantswhomyouknowtobedistinctiveincertainareas)HiringCriteria231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfidentialP4UnacceptableMeetsRequirementsExceedsExpectationsCommentsProblemSolvingPersonalImpactTeamwork/LeadershipAbilitytoGetThingsDoneSummary/FitwithmarchFIRSTWouldyouliketohavethiscandidateonyourteam?WouldthiscandidatefeelcomfortableatmarchFIRST?YesNoYesNoPrimaryreasons/issuestoprobe:CasePerformanceCommunicationEnergyStyleTeamworkExperienceLeadershipOther:__________________________________OverallRecommendationHire!UncertainDeclineCandidateInterviewerPositionBusinessAnalystAssociateSchoolDateRoundFirstSecondCaseDescriptionInterviewEvaluationForm•Followsordevelopscomplexlinesofthought•Relentlesslypursueslinesofquestioning,isfascinatedinreachingcase’sconclusion•Offerscompletelynew(possiblyoutlandish)approachesintacklingproblems•Identifiednonobviousrelationshipsbetweendiverseelements•Remainscomposed,coherentandarticulateunderpressureandisconfidentwithoutbeingarrogant•Respondspersuasivelyandassertively•Putshis/herpointofviewinperspectiveandenthusiasticallyembracesothers’ideas–wellbalanced•Clearlyrelishesteaminvolvementandhasaconsistentrecordofhighachievementonteams–respondspositivelytoconstructivecriticism•Focusesonascertainingobjectivesandthenproceedssingle-mindedlytowardsachievingthem•Hasaconsistentrecordofnotableachievement,possibleacrossallfacetsoflife•Followsordevelopsnonobviouslinesofthought•Probesbeyondsuperficialanswers,appearsuntested•Generatesseveralvariedapproachestohelpsolveproblems•Identifiedthemajorityofimportantrelationshipsbetweenelements•Remainsgenerallycoherentandarticulate,andisconfident•Respondsthoughtfullyandwithconvictionandsincerity•Putshis/herpointofviewinperspective,isemotionallystable•Isopentocriticismandwillingtoaskforhelp–wouldrespondwelltocoaching•Identifiesobjectivesandkeepstheminmind•Hasbeensuccessfulinafewnotableways•Failstoidentifyobjectivesupfrontandiseasilydistractedfromthemaintask•Hasfewnotableachievementstohis/hercredit•Isuncomfortableinteamsituationsorisdefensive,insecureordogmatic•Isincoherentorinarticulate,ortooquietandlacksselfconfidence•Isunconvincingorinsincereinresponses•Isopinionated,naïveoremotionallyunstable•Failstofollownonobviouslinesofthought•Acceptssuperficialanswerswithoutquestion•Failsinprogressbeyondarigid,formulaicproblem-solvingapproach•Spotsonlythemostobviousrelationshipsbetweenelements231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfidentialP5DoingitwellhelpsyouandthenextroundofInterviewers.FillingOutTheForm•Givingevidenceisessential!•Explainwhatisgoodandwhatisaweakness!•Synthesize–noessaysneeded!•RememberthattosayHiremeansacceptableinallcategoriesanddistinctiveinatleastone.•Wouldyoulikethispersononyourteam?meanswhatitissays,i.e.,includepersonalityandskillsinyourassessment.•Makeadecisionbecauseitisyourfirm!231_000816_Interview_dw_dsProprietaryandConfident