How to use AI to help prepare for your consulting interview
Generative AI can be very helpful if you know how to use them. In this blog, we’re going to show you how you can use generative AI to help you prepare for your consulting interview.
An important caveat before we start: we’re not suggesting you should exclusively use AI for your preparation. Similarly, we don’t recommend you use ChatGPT or similar to write your CV or cover letter for you. Many recruiters are able to spot this and your application will be rejected.
Our advice is intended to be augmented with the other interview preparation that you’re already doing. AI can provide a helpful starting point, but success depends on you.
Here’s how you use generative AI to help you prepare for your consulting interview.
Practice Responding to Sample Questions
Generative AI chatbots can act as a mock-interviewer. Use it to help you identify potential interview questions with these three steps:
Ask ChatGPT to suggest questions you may get
Prepare bullet point answers to likely questions
Identify other related questions to expect
Here’s an example promp:
Act as an recruiter at [firm name]. I’m interviewing for [job title] at [firm name]. This is the job description:
[insert job description]
Suggest five questions I could be asked.
Get Feedback on Your Responses
Having got some sample questions, you can now ask for feedback on the answers you’ve prepared.
Here’s an example prompt:
Act as a recruiter at [firm name]. Ask me [choose a question]. I’m going to provide an answer and you will give me feedback on my answer. Tell me what was good and where I can improve and why.
Word of warning:
Note any constructive feedback, but don't fully rely on it. These platforms are prone to ‘hallucinating’ which could give you false information
Cross-reference with advice from real people, ideally people who are, or have been, consultants
Brainstorm Questions to Ask
It’s essential that you’re prepared with questions to ask too. If you’re genuinely interested in the job and consulting firm you’ve applied to then you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this. However, if you need a bit of inspiration to start then ChatGPT can help you.
Here’s the prompt you can use:
I’m interviewing at [firm name]. This is the job description:
[insert job description]
Suggest me five questions to ask the interviewer.
Don’t forget to customise the questions.
Augment! Don't Replace Your Hard Work
AI is helpful for getting started but you should never fully outsource your prep. It’s essential you spend plenty of time on your own tailored responses.
With the right balance, AI can provide a productivity boost. But ultimately consulting firms hire real people, not algorithms - so don’t over-rely on generative AI.
