Most job interviews are very similar. It is a lot like going on a date. There is a lot of nervous pressure before the event, and while it is going on, you are very aware of every word you say and every little thing you do. Once it is over, you over–evaluate everything you said and did, hoping you performed well. You always want to be impressive, but you do not want the other party to think you are simply trying to impress them. You want to leave them wanting more, yet you want them to feel some sort of satisfaction once it is over. We all walk a fine line between success and failure, and the slightest comment or gesture could offset the balance and send you off into the deep end. So preparation is important–it is vital to a successful interview.

If you are applying for consultant jobs, it is best if you already have some experience working with the kinds of companies with whom you would like to consult. Consulting jobs can be hard to come by, due to the high demand for those positions. Everybody is a critic and wants to be paid for his or her opinion. Every employee working for a specific kind of industry sees how that company could improve, and many of them believe they could make a living handing out their constructive criticism. Jobs in consulting will always be high in demand as long as people are criticizing and judging others. Therefore, when you are applying for a consultant job, you need to stand out above all your average company critics.

The best way to do so is with an impressive resume. If you have had prior experience as a consultant, then your chances have already increased. However, you would likely not be wondering how to interview for a consulting job if you had previous experience as a consultant. Most likely you are entering the field for the first time, and are a little nervous about what to expect in your first interview. So if you have experience as an employee for the companies you would like to consult with, that is a start. You might consider approaching your bosses, managers, supervisors, etc. with some of your ideas for how they can improve operations of the company. You might want to approach the bosses with whom you already have a relationship first, because they are more likely to listen to your ideas. If you have great ideas, or even one solid idea for how they can improve the company and they act on it, then that is something you can list on your resume. That sort of thing belongs at the very top of your resume. The first thing people will want to see is how you have helped other companies improve their inner workings to make them more effective and efficient.

Another important factor is schooling. Where did you go to school and what did you study? Did you get an internship working for other consultants, learning from their successes and failures? Do you know all about the business model and how you can effectively run a company? Most likely other business leaders do too. They have also likely gone to business school, earned their MBA, etc., so if you only have scholastic pointers on your resume, it most likely will not be enough to gain a real job. It might help you get an internship, but not a job. However, if you come highly recommended from some well-respected professors who claim you have great ideas, a solid grasp of business models, etc., then you might have a chance at earning an entry-level position.

In the end, experience is the best thing you can have. So the best way to prepare yourself for the interview is to prepare yourself for the job. If you are constantly looking for ways to gain experience as a consultant, you will eventually find opportunities to give you that experience. If you are continually talking about your goals and aspirations as a business consultant, then you will eventually run into people who know people in that industry and can help you get started. You might run into other consultants who have great advice for you or who might even know of an opening somewhere. They might even put in a good word for you and next thing you know, you have a job interview with someone who already thinks highly of you.

The more prepared you are for the actual job, the more prepared you will be for the interview. If you have a solid resume with great experience, you are very likely to stand out among other applicants.

As for the actual interview itself, go through visualization exercises. Imagine what kinds of questions you will be asked and how you would like to answer them. The better you sound in your head and in your visualization of the interview, the better you will come across in the interview. You will have polished responses at the ready for all the questions you prepared for. If you ask other consultants about their interview experience, you could ask them the type of questions you might expect in an interview. You could even ask current consultants working for the company interviewing you. They may be able to give you personal insights which will better prepare you for the types of questions and conversations you will have with your interviewer. If you have all the questions already set in your mind, then you will have of polished answers that are likely to impress your new boss. All the same, there is always that one question you did not prepare for, so it is always good to expect the unexpected and prepare yourself for that curve ball.

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