Marakon Associates Graduate Schemes

Marakon hires graduates each year to join the firms management consulting trainee scheme.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a high level 2.1 or first class degree in any discipline, from a top tier university. Evidence of high level grades at all levels of education is essential, as is evidence of experience and motivation for the industry.

Training

Marakon run a professional development program. The firm offers two kinds of training: core training to build understanding of the principles and frameworks required to tackle complex business problems, and "skills-focused" training in the tools and techniques required to be an effective advisor.

Integration Week

Consultants are introduced to basic finance and accounting principles as well as selected skills required as a new consultant.

Consultant Development Program 1

This is a week-long global program designed to give an overview of Marakon's practice and an introduction to the major principles, tools and frameworks the firm uses to analyse business problems. During the week, consultants take part in a competitive case exercise with other employees from around the world.

Business Unit Strategy Development

Graduates study topics including understanding market economics and competitive position, strategy evaluation and strategy execution.

Financial Foundations

Within the first six months of joining Marakon, consultants will attend a financial foundations program, which provides a much deeper review of the financial principles underpinning the work you will be involved in at the firm. Topics include capital structure, corporate finance and valuation, and corporate goals and targets.

Consultant Development Program 2 (CDP2)

Your second major training session is delivered after a year at the firm. This program aims to draw all the elements of previous training together as new consultants make the transition from apprentices to skilled practitioners. The main topic of this is corporate strategy.

Marakon Associates Interview Questions

Graduate Interview Questions and Assessment Process

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The assessment process for graduate jobs at Marakon is:

• Online application
• First round interviews
• Second round interviews

First round interviews

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• 2/3 interviews
• Case study
• Numerical test

The Marakon first round interview consists of two interviews. Each interview will be 30 minutes long.

Your HR interview will be a competency based interview where you will also be asked about your CV.

The fit interview involves various scenario based questions. You will be asked how you think you would react to certain situations, as well as how you have reacted to certain situations in the past.

The other interview will be competency based and involved a case study question. This will involve graphical analysis and basic mathematics. You will be asked to give a strategy for a firm.

Previous candidates have been asked the following questions:

• Who would you put on top of Nelson’s Column?
• Why do you want to leave academia?
• What are your views on our business?
• What current business issues interests you?
• What’s the best, and what’s the worst team/organisation you’ve been part of?
• Why do organisations fail?
• If you could lead any company in the current climate, who would it be?

Second round interviews

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The second round interview for Marakon is a four stage process:

• Associate interview
• Partner interview
• Case study questions

Associate interview

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This interview is with an associate consultant and will last about 30 minutes. You will be allowed to ask most of the questions and the interview will basically be a chance for the associate to figure out your personality and if you would make a good team fit.

Partner interviews

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This interview will be tailoured to you. It will last 30 - 45 minutes. All the questions will be developed and the style of the interview will be more converstional than anything else.

Questions previous candidates have been asked include:

• How do you evaluate aesthetics?
• How do you evaluate a business?
• Why do you want to leave academia?
• If in two years time you decided consulting wasn’t for you and you left the industry, why do you think this might be?

Case study questions

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You will be given three case study questions. For each you will have 20 minutes to prepare and then 20 minutes to discuss your ideas and arguements. A different consultant will assess each case study, and your final case study will be assessed by two interviewers.

One of the key skills Marakon are looking for is the ability to structure, in particular structuring your arguments. Be certain to structure your responses in both interviews and all the case studies. It is important to show you can think laterally and make links to different things you have been talking about, as well as being confident and coherent.

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Marakon Associates Working Culture

Working Culture

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Marakon is committed to a work-life balance. Hours and projects are actively managed to ensure a sustainable work-life balance for consultants.

Salary

Graduates take home a competitive salary and bonus.