Fit and Motivation Rounds

What they ask

Across roles at the local office there is at least one round that is not technical at all. Depending on the role it is an HR interview before the technical interview, or a closing conversation with the country manager after it. Candidates describe it as relaxed and friendly, but it decides whether the offer gets made.

Questions in this area, for example:

• Tell me about yourself in a few minutes, and why this firm rather than a product company.
• What is the biggest achievement in your previous job, and the biggest challenge?
• What are the key elements of a good working environment for you?
• Why do you want to join, and what do you know about what we do for clients here?
• How do you feel about working on a client site, on the client's schedule, sometimes for months?
• For experienced hires who were approached on LinkedIn: what would make you leave your current role?

The order of rounds differs by role. One architect candidate describes a recruiter screening, then an HR interview on fit and motivation, then the technical interview. A QA candidate had the technical round first and the country manager call last. An intern had a single casual conversation.

What they look for

• A motivation that holds up. Consulting means client work, time at client offices and changing projects, and they listen for whether you understand that.
• Specific answers. "Growth" and "learning" are not answers; a named kind of project or client is.
• Signs you will be easy to staff: communication in English, no drama about working with people you did not choose.
• For the country manager call specifically: a sense that you know what you are signing up for, since nothing technical is asked at that point.