Kearney interviews are tough compared to regular interviews at other large companies. The questions are difficult and the interview format is specific to Kearney.
Of course, the good news is that if you prepare well, it can be pretty easy to do well at a Kearney interview. Weve put together this ultimate guide to maximise your chances of success.
Today, Kearney is among the worlds most prestigious consulting firms. It brought in $1. 3bn in revenue in 2022 and has around 4,200 employees globally, across 40 different countries. Kearney also ranked #7 in the top consulting firms to work for in the 2022 Vault Consulting 50.
In the past, the business was known as “AT Kearney,” but in January 2020, it changed its name and dropped the initials.
Ready to start your journey into the world of consulting? The Kearney interview is one of the most important steps you need to take. This complete guide will give you the information and tips you need to feel confident during the interview process and get your dream job at Kearney.
Understanding Kearney A Legacy of Excellence
Kearney, established in 1939, boasts a rich history and a global presence. With over 4,200 employees across 40 countries, Kearney is driven by a commitment to “essential rightness,” emphasizing sustainable positive impact in everything they do. Their core values – curiosity, generosity, boldness, solidarity, and passion – form the foundation of their culture, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
Deciphering the Kearney Interview Process A Step-by-Step Guide
1 Submitting Your Application
To start, you need to show what you can do by using Kearney’s online application system to send in a strong resume and cover letter.
2. Round 1 Interviews:
If your application impresses, you’ll be invited to two rounds of interviews each comprising 2-3 interviews depending on your target office/geography. These interviews can be conducted in person, via phone or through video calls.
Round 1 Interview Structure:
- Case Interview: This 45-minute interview will assess your quantitative skills, business logic, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to solve a business problem live with guidance from the interviewer.
- Behavioral Interview: This 45-minute interview will delve into your personal qualities and experiences, exploring your fit within Kearney’s culture.
Round 2 Interviews
If you make it through Round 1, you’ll move on to Round 2, where you’ll face senior managers, principals, and partners. In this round, there are usually three 45-minute interviews. Two of them are about case studies, and the third is about behavioral/fitness assessments. The exact structure may be different for each job, so make sure you talk to your recruiter about the details.
Additional Interview Components:
- Written Case Interview: Some Kearney offices may include a written case interview, where you’ll analyze a case study and present your recommendations in PowerPoint slides.
- Excel Skills Test: You may also be required to take an Excel skills test, demonstrating your proficiency in functions like Vlookup, Sumif, Countif, Index, and Match.
3. Awaiting the Decision:
After completing the interview process, you’ll eagerly await the final decision. If you’ve impressed the interviewers, you’ll receive the coveted invitation to join Kearney’s team.
Mastering the Kearney Case Interview: A Roadmap to Success
The Kearney case interview is designed to evaluate your quantitative skills, business logic, and strategic thinking. Here’s how to approach this crucial element:
1. Embrace the Quantitative Challenge:
Kearney’s case interviews are known for their emphasis on quantitative analysis. Be prepared to perform calculations and demonstrate your comfort with basic business analytics.
2. Practice Productive Problem-Solving:
Effective problem-solving is essential for success in the Kearney case interview. Focus on organizing data, identifying key issues, and developing logical solutions.
3. Exemplify “Essential Rightness”:
Kearney values candidates who embody their core principles. Demonstrate curiosity, generosity, boldness, solidarity, and passion throughout your interview.
4. Craft a Compelling Narrative:
Make a lasting impression by weaving your experiences into a captivating story. Highlight your impact and potential, showcasing your strengths and weaknesses authentically.
5. Confidence is Key:
Consulting demands composure and confidence. Practice your case-solving skills and exude confidence through your body language and communication.
Conquering the Kearney Behavioral Interview: Unveiling Your Fit
The Kearney behavioral interview assesses your personal qualities and cultural fit. Here’s how to excel in this area:
1. Prepare for Common Questions:
Be prepared to answer questions about your teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership experiences.
2. Showcase Your Impact:
Highlight the positive impact you’ve made in previous roles, demonstrating your ability to contribute to Kearney’s success.
3. Be Authentic and Engaging:
Let your personality shine through, showcasing your genuine interest in Kearney and your potential to thrive in their culture.
4. Embrace “Essential Rightness”:
Align your responses with Kearney’s core values, demonstrating your commitment to their principles.
5. Practice Makes Perfect:
Rehearse your answers to behavioral questions, ensuring your responses are clear, concise, and impactful.
Additional Resources for Your Kearney Interview Preparation:
- My Consulting Offer’s Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep: This comprehensive guide provides in-depth insights into the case interview, including its stages, tips, and practice cases.
- Consulting Behavioral Interviews: This resource offers guidance on preparing for behavioral interview questions, including common questions and effective response strategies.
- Written Case Interviews: This guide provides a detailed overview of written case interviews, including tips for success and practice cases.
By leveraging this comprehensive guide and the provided resources, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the Kearney interview process with confidence and secure your dream job at this prestigious consulting firm.
Remember, the key to success lies in thorough preparation, a strategic approach, and a genuine passion for Kearney’s values and mission.
We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!
2 Kearney group case presentations
As we talked about in Section 2, group case interviews are used in the Kearney interview process sometimes. This is usually for college students on their Assessment Center day. Here is the key information you need to be aware of for this type of interview:
- Candidates get divided into groups of 4 to 6
- Each group is given information about a case (i. e. a client facing a problem).
- You have 10 to 15 minutes to go over the materials by yourself or with someone else in your group.
- Then, you and the other people in your group are asked to talk about a few case-related questions for 20 minutes in front of the interviewers.
- For 15 to 20 minutes, the interviewers will ask the group a few questions.
This type of case mainly tests your ability to work with others. Interviewers wont intervene during the group discussion. They will only watch how the group works and give each person a grade based on how they add to the discussion.
Here are the top 3 things you should aim to do in your group interview:
- Speak with a purpose. A lot of people will want to speak up at the start of a group discussion because they know it’s important to take part. But participating is not enough. The QUALITY of your input is crucial. It’s sometimes better to let two or three people start the conversation. And then make a very well-thought-out point based on how the conversation began Focus on the quality of your input, not the quantity.
- Involve everyone. Pay attention to who is talking and who isn’t. This is another simple tip that you can use. If you see someone in the group having trouble being heard, don’t be afraid to help them out by saying something like, “We haven’t heard everyone’s opinion on this yet.” John, Rebecca what do you think?”.
- Summarise. At the end of the 20-minute group discussion, it’s a good idea to make a list of all the points that were made. You’ll be seen as the one who brings everyone together and makes sure everyone is on the same page. Some partners in consulting firms like doing this with clients in real life, which will make you look good.
And the top 3 things you should really avoid doing:
- Looking very nervous. When you go to a group interview, you should hide your face. Everyone is stressed in a group interview. But you should do your best to seem sure of yourself. An easy way to do this is to pay attention to your basic body language. For example, sit up straight, don’t cross your arms, don’t fidget with your hands, etc.
- Interrupting others. Consultants should be nice to their clients, and cutting someone off in the middle of a conversation is not at all nice. You should listen carefully to what others are saying. Try to have a genuine interest in what they think. Do this before you make your point to show that you understand what they mean.
- Dominating the conversation. Finally, some candidates are so eager to join the conversation that they end up talking over everyone else without even realizing it. Watch how long you talk to avoid this. If you’re with a group of five or more people, you should try to speak roughly one fifth of the time and no more than fifteen percent of the time.
The firm will decide whether to make you an offer based on how well you do in both individual and group case interviews. Check out our separate, in-depth guide to group case interviews if you want to learn more about how to do group interviews.
Kearney case interviews ↑
Case interviews at Kearney are person-led, which is the same way they are done at BCG and Bain. This is different than firms like McKinsey that use interviewer-led cases.
For a candidate-led case interview, there are 7 types of questions you need to prepare for:
- Situation
- Framework development
- Framework exploration
- Quant question – Data provided
- Quant question – No data provided
- Creativity question
- Recommendation
Aside from the types of questions listed above, you can also expect to be asked about the size of the market during your AT Kearney interviews.
You can learn more about case interviews and how to prepare in our free case interview guide.
Another great way to prepare is by practicing with realistic sample cases. The links below will take you to some free AT Kearney practice cases that you can find online:
You can also get a sense of what candidate-led case interviews are like, using the video below. As we already said, Kearney’s case interviews are usually led by the candidate and follow a format similar to those used by BCG and Bain.
Kearney Case Interview Example – Driving Revenue and Impact in Women’s Soccer
FAQ
Are Kearney interviews hard?
What questions to ask in a Kearney interview?
Is Kearney hard to get into?
What does Kearney look for in candidates?
What type of interview does Kearney have?
Types of Interview Kearney has a single interview format across their network; experience/ fit questions followed by a case interview. The most weight is given to the case interview and you need to be prepared. Candidates that haven’t prepared for the case interview don’t progress to the final round.
What is a Kearney case interview?
Kearney case interviews are typically more quantitative and numerical than other consulting firms’. So, expect to perform math calculations during your case. Kearney case interviews are candidate-led, similar to BCG and Bain cases. This means you are expected to “drive” the case using the information provided to you.
How long did it take to get interviewed at Kearney (Seoul)?
The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Kearney (Seoul) Case Interview (2 rounds) –> Partner interview – Case interviews were not difficult than I thought though it may be challenging if you are not used to solve the case questions. Thoughs on switching from Kearney to Oliver Wyman?
How do I apply to Kearney?
Submit your resume and cover letter on Kearney’s online application system. Interview: Kearney typically has two rounds of interviews with 2-3 interviews in each round, depending on which office / geography you’re applying to. First round interviews are conducted in-person or through phone/video call. You can expect two 45-minute interviews.
