Deloitte Consulting - First Interview - February 2010
1 March 2010 - 7:49pm
carolmckeown
Hi all,
Just thought i'd share my experience of 1st interview for Deloitte consulting - i have applied for operation in consulting. By now, you all should know the format - interview lasts an hour and a half, the first 15 mins is reading a case study, then the interview will commence with a manager or senior consultant. It last an hour or so, and they start with the competance questions then the case study questions, then an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Case Study
The case study i got was based is Thornton County Council and basically they are asking deloitte to bid for the consultation on a project where they want to amalgamate 7 smaller councils into one. The core services that will be joined are finance, IT and human resources and they expect the staff levels to drop from 7500 to 6000 after all the regional offices have been joined together. All seven councils have different cultures and levels of service on offer so the idea is to bring these together - one advantage is that citizens will get a more even of service. Another issue is this thing called a 'shared service centre' where the core services will be shared. Might be an idea to research this on the internet. Another issue is outsourcing - they are considering outsoucing the IT services and i got asked what the differences were between outsoucing and doing things in house - had to think of an answer to this on my feet but it is a classic question that can be answered easily. I would research outsourcing beforehand. They also give you an additional piece of information on the case study which is just to assess how you rationalise making judgements on the spot. Another thing i got asked was what the risks might be and how these could be mitigates. Also, think of all the stakeholders involved in a business model like thie - on the day i could only think of the citrizens, workers, and central government, and local businesses but there are probably more if you have a good think about it.
Competency Questions
The interviewer has a list of questions then can ask you and basically they will just pick out ones at random. My advise for this is the same as everybody else - do lots of preparation and prepare plenty of examples of work, uni and your life.
Tell me a time when you gave a presentation?
Tell me a time whan you had to make a difficult decision?
Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge?
Tell me about your organisatoin skills, when you organised something?
Tell me about how you got from uni to here (i graduated in 2006)
Why do you want to work for Deloitte?
What do you know about management consulting?
What other competitior are there to deloitte?
Hoep this helps.
7 May 2010 - 10:13pm
Staussy
Hi everyone, could anyone offer any advice on how to approach the case study in general? I figure deloitte have loads of different examples
23 June 2010 - 12:18am
msra5dk2
Hi
I was wondering if anybody has had a first interview within consulting for Deliotte recently. If so, was your experience the same as the first post above? Any additional posts would be great!
Cheers
msra5dk2
23 June 2010 - 8:39am
Gryff88
Yes, it was very similar. All the info you need to prepare is on this thread and others. Just have lots of examples and explain them clearly and concisely. If you are struggling, take a sip of water and think for a moment.
28 June 2010 - 2:12pm
cyborg_001
Hi,
I have my operations consulting interview this Thursday and was hoping you could throw some light on the case study and what all it entailed? Any surprises to look out for etc?
Any help/info/tips would be a life saver as i really want this job!
Cheers
28 June 2010 - 2:16pm
cyborg_001
And i mean even info like what did you suggest for the case and what points did you need to consider or got wrong?
If you could please elaborate here or privately...after all we wiki users deserve a little edge being pro active!
28 June 2010 - 2:40pm
Gryff88
To be honest. You can only prepare so much. Read all the threads thoroughly. Know Deloitte inside out. Know the sector inside out. I got asked all the competency questions in my partner interview but some people dont get them at all. I found it useful to know about the awards that Deloitte recently won. I got caught on commercial awareness, I was asked what sector I had been following in....I got totally messed up and made soemthing up when really I should have just said 'i havent been following one sector in particular but i have been reading about a number of interesting business cases.....' etc etc
Think thats all, you cant prep for the teamwork, just make sure you contribute, be polite and think before you say something, just so its not a stupid banal comment.
the e-tray is fine, opening up all the tabs is definitely a good tip
28 June 2010 - 4:35pm
cyborg_001
Ah thanks for that!
I think youre talking about the AC! I wanted to know about the first interview and the case study in it specifically!!
AC tips are useful if (pls God) I get through first!!! lol
Cheers
28 June 2010 - 4:58pm
Gryff88
Oh God, Im stupid. Sorry....
Hmmm first interview....am, well basically read the first post of this thread and really just think about all the different issues when trying to combine services. I got asked specifically about how to keep the service going for the public while all these changes were being made. Don't even remember my answer. Think i made something up. Id recommend maybe sitting down and writing down potential questions.
Dont freak out when they hand you the sheet. You have enough time to read it. Read carefully, highlighting things you think are important. During the case study part of the interview, he handed me a sheet of figures about the costs of outsouring to India or keeping the IT in the UK. I spoke about advantages and disadvantages of each saying that as numbers in the county council will be cut, it might be good to keep the IT in the UK. He seemed to like this. Its a very casual question and answer part i found but it depends who you get.
Just prepare loads of example for the competency part.
28 June 2010 - 5:03pm
cyborg_001
Ah there you go, spot on!
That's what I was looking for!
Thanks a ton! If you do remember any more questions/answers u gave...PLEASE DO write those here or privately as my life depends on it (ok not really).
God bless.
Regards
28 June 2010 - 5:11pm
cyborg_001
What kind of numbers/figures were given and were any major calculations/projections needed? I mean how important were the numbers and they were used for what mainly?
Thanks
28 June 2010 - 5:49pm
Gryff88
It was figures about the costs of outsourcing to India or keeping in the UK. there was about 4 different costs and some would be higher in India and some higher in the Uk. I just spoke generally about them. In the end I said it would be better to keep in the UK as you would have greater control over quality perhaps and with the removal of so many jobs it would look a bit better from a PR point of view. No right answer though. They give you a calculator if you want to make any calculations but they're very simple figures.
28 June 2010 - 10:08pm
msra5dk2
Hi cyborg_001 i was wondering, how long after Deloitte confirmed you had to wait to hear from them to get an interview slot did they take? And also thnaks alot Gryff88 for your input thus far, hope it helps!!!!!
1 July 2010 - 9:25pm
Lisa02
Has anyone had a first interview for Technology Integration in Consulting for Deloitte?
6 July 2010 - 3:27pm
cyborg_001
Passed the interview...now final AC left!
Thank you all so so much...really hope I get through the AC...please God!
6 July 2010 - 5:12pm
Lisa02
What was the interview like for you? What tough questions did they ask you?
6 July 2010 - 8:15pm
cyborg_001
It was exactly as the guys have asked above...standard why consulting, why deloitte etc etc questions...case study is the main thing and not hard...the things written by Gryff88 above are spot on...u have 15 mins to read and then they ask u questions n ur suggestions...just practical thinking...my interviewer just asked me to talk thru the case myself and just asked things in middle...
He didnt ask me to give 2 answers for each questions...just asked me random questions form his mind...also asked about a time when i gave a presentation...nothing tough and no pattern i'd say...depends on the guy too...he was chilled out n then talked about deloitte a lot...so dont worry...be cool n own their butts!
16 July 2010 - 8:07pm
cyborg_001
Thank you all on this great site...I got my Operations Consulting offer today!! So over the moon!
25 July 2010 - 7:36pm
oreo_jo
Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone else had any other case study experiences for consulting?
I am worried that I may come across as strong academically, but commercially unaware.
Also, does anyone know how much longer interview's & AD's are running for? I am awaiting a date for my first round interview to be booked.
Anyone else still applying for the 2010 cohort?
Many thanks
2 August 2010 - 8:00pm
Staussy
I went through Deloitte's consulting recruitment process but I was unsuccessful. My advice would be to use clear logical steps when tackling the case study, the main model I would advise is the SWOT analysis for the written exercise as you have to assess the strengths and weaknesses of 3 companies which your client wants to take over.
10 August 2010 - 10:43am
hassanmurad
Staucy can you help me with this.
what was the pattern and what were the questions? how long was it?
10 August 2010 - 11:55am
Staussy
When is your interview and for what service line?I was asked three questions:
1) What is your understanding of professional services?
2) What do you expect to do in your first year?
3) Tell me about a time you had to deliver a difficult message
The interview lasted around 15 minutes, they are just checking that you know what you've applies for
10 August 2010 - 1:38pm
hassanmurad
Staucy this was lre screening interview I Have cleared this next is first interview which I want to givw on phone because I am abroad and cannot visit office
10 August 2010 - 1:50pm
Staussy
I have heard of this before and even video conferencing. My advice would be is expect the same qestions as they are all pre-set no matter how the interview is conducted. Good luck!
10 August 2010 - 2:43pm
hassanmurad
thanks. i just wanted to ask someone who already have experienced it
10 August 2010 - 7:07pm
r_coolcon
Is there anyone who has applied for Financial service practice - Experienced Hire ? Could you please share your exp...
22 August 2010 - 11:30pm
mikejones
Anyone through to the first round stage or further, for the 2011 strat-consulting grad intake? Or just cvonsulting in general?
23 August 2010 - 7:11am
oreo_jo
Hi,
I'm through to the first round interview stage for consulting, 2011 entry. Has anyone else made it through to AD - any tips for the interview?
23 August 2010 - 3:23pm
mikejones
Through to the first round also, awaiting a date from them though. I assume we dont meet on the actual date, but do mention if they get back in touch with you! As for the AD, there are a few threads on the forum worth reading up on but off head its supposed to be quite a relaxed process
31 August 2010 - 6:08pm
chaudha
I have a first interview coming up, for an actuarial team. I'm wondering, is there a case study for every service line? I wasn't expecting one at all. I thought it was only competency based.
EDIT: I checked the website and the consulting roles, excluding actuarial, have case studies. Thank god!
31 August 2010 - 6:19pm
oreo_jo
Yes, for consulting its part of the first round. Every service line eventually has a case study though - so be prepared
31 August 2010 - 7:02pm
mikejones
oreo jo, which area in consulting have you applied for? And when is your interview scheduled for?
Feel free to send me a message if you dont want to bare all in public (click on my name).
1 September 2010 - 10:22pm
frostyrozza
Has anyone else got through to the AC for the 2011 intake?
1 September 2010 - 10:50pm
mikejones
When did you get through? And which service line did you apply for?
1 September 2010 - 11:20pm
frostyrozza
Found out this week. Dont have a date set though. i applied for strategy, have you had the interview?
3 September 2010 - 10:40am
mikejones
Some lighthearted reading here, the perpetrator was a grad consultant...
5 September 2010 - 10:06am
chaudha
Hello,
I have a consulting iview soon. I noticed people mention team work and decision making questions, but these aren't listed as competencies on the Deloitte website. Can someone shed some light on this?
6 September 2010 - 4:43pm
Nine
Does anyone know how many 2011 intakes they have? and when are the intakes?
6 September 2010 - 8:13pm
oreo_jo
They are hoping to up it to 1100 ish. Intake starts in september 2011. All info is on their website.
6 September 2010 - 9:48pm
mikejones
1100? You must surely mean across the board...I've heard a figure closer to 150 for consulting, with the lionshare of that going into either ops or enterprise apps. Don't quote me, but I don't think they offer winter or spring starters, if thats what you are also asking.
7 September 2010 - 7:22am
oreo_jo
Sorry, yes, I meant 1100 for all service lines. I think that they only have one intake per year too. Has anyone had their AD for consulting yet?
8 September 2010 - 10:58pm
lil'cakes
Hey, I've applied for strategy consulting 2011 intake and just got through to the 1st interview stage. I guess some of you must have had their interviews by now and got feedback on them. Could you give me any information on the case study? What was it roughly like? also, were the questions on the competences similar to those posted elsewhere on Wikijob or did you get any unexpected ones?
It would be great if one of you could get back to me on those points!
9 September 2010 - 11:45am
lil'cakes
Hey Chaudha!
I haven't had my interview yet, but some of the questions found elsewhere seem to apply to certain aspects of the competencies, team work for example can apply to communication and problem solving, decision making could be part of adaptability as major decisions usually are a response to change or bring change with them. Making decisions is also part of problem solving. Since you've applied for a job which involves team work it would only be natural to expect a question on your previous experiences, those as well as questions on decision making and leadership qualities are relatively standard interview questions which you should always expect to come up.
I hope this is helpful in some way :)
Great post Carol did you get a result from your experience? Sounds like you did well.