Obviously, the manner in which these topics are handled is different for each candidate because each candidate is unique. There are no standard answers.
However, there is one topic – the questions that a candidate should ask his interviewer – where I do repeat myself often. I have a couple of favorite questions that invariably earn high marks from my candidates during their post-interview debriefings. In order to have more than a couple of great questions at the ready, I decided to ask my fellow BCG recruiters about their favorite questions. My goal was to develop a list of truly outstanding questions - my “Top Ten,” if you will - designed to impress the interviewer and make my candidate more memorable – a key feature in a competitive market if one hopes to secure an offer.
Before I get to my Top Ten Interview Questions, I need to discuss the more mundane questions you may want to ask at some point during the process. For example, you probably do want to ask about how work is assigned, how feedback is given to associates, when you will get client contact, and how deals are staffed (partner-to-associate ratio.) I do not mean to disparage these questions. They are important and will provide important information about whether any particular position is right for you. However, nearly all candidates ask these questions, and you want to be able to set yourself apart from the crowd.
- See Interviewing Tips for more information
