How long does the Havas interview process take?

Most candidates spend between 4 and 8 weeks from recruiter screen to offer. The onsite loop itself runs in a single day or is split across two half-days, with debrief and offer typically within 5 business days after.

How should I prepare specifically for Havas?

Focus on three things: (1) the company DNA shown above - what they actually grade for, (2) the rounds in your loop, especially the round most candidates underestimate, and (3) drilling on the question types in this guide using a structured framework like CIRCLES or STAR.

Does this apply to engineering or design roles at Havas?

The DNA stays the same - what changes is the round mix. SWE candidates face coding screens instead of Product Sense; designers face portfolio reviews and design exercises. The "what they value" and behavioral signals carry across all functions.

Other roles at Havas:Brand Manager Marketing Sales Strategy Consultant

Enterprise · Strategy Consultant Interview Guide

How to Pass the Havas Strategy Consultant Interview in 2026

The Havas DNA (TL;DR)

Havas assesses strategic thinking and client relationship skills, looking for candidates who can translate brand objectives into impactful campaigns. They value a proactive approach to campaign management and a clear understanding of media planning.

The Havas Interview Loop

Your onsite loop will typically consist of 5 rounds.

1
Round 1
Recruiter Screen
Motivation, fit, why consulting.
2
Round 2
Case Interview
Market sizing, profitability, market entry, M&A - structured problem-solving with hypothesis-driven analysis.
3
Round 3
PEI / Personal Experience
STAR-style stories on leadership, entrepreneurial drive, personal impact.
4
Round 4
Fit / Partner Round
Why this firm, why this office, deeper resume walkthrough with senior partner.
5
Round 5
Behavioral / Leadership
Past evidence of ownership, influence, resolving conflict.

The Danger Zone: Top Reasons Candidates Fail

Based on our database of Havas interview outcomes, avoid these common traps:

Using top-down estimations without bottom-up validation or vice-versa.
Failing to define 'influencer marketing' or 'fashion brands' clearly.
Failing to communicate the impact of the changes.
Focusing only on one aspect of the integrated offering.

Test Yourself: Real Havas Questions

Three real prompts pulled from our database.

Type · Conflict Resolution

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague or manager regarding a sales strategy or client approach. How did you handle the conflict, and what was the resolution?

Type · Ownership

Tell me about a time you took ownership of a challenging sales situation that was not initially your responsibility. What did you do, and what was the outcome?

Type · Influence

Describe a situation where you had to persuade a stakeholder (e.g., client, colleague, manager) to adopt a marketing strategy or idea they were initially resistant to.

+ many more questions, signals, and worked examples

Unlock the rubric

Havas Interview Question Bank

A sample from our database, grouped by round. Sign up to see the full set.

9 of 20 questions shown

Recruiter Screen

1
Type · Motivation
Why are you interested in strategy consulting within the advertising industry, and specifically at Havas?

Case Interview

2
Type · Market Sizing
Estimate the total addressable market for influencer marketing services for fashion brands in North America for the next fiscal year.
3
Type · Profitability
A major CPG client is experiencing declining ad revenue from their digital campaigns. How would you diagnose the root causes and propose solutions?
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

PEI / Personal Experience

4
Type · Leadership
Describe a time you led a team through a significant change or challenge. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?
5
Type · Entrepreneurial Drive
Tell me about a time you identified an opportunity and took initiative to pursue it, even if it wasn't part of your formal responsibilities.
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Fit / Partner Round

6
Type · Firm Fit
Based on your understanding of Havas's network and capabilities (e.g., creative, media, data), how do you see yourself contributing to our integrated approach for clients?
7
Type · Resume Deep Dive
Walk me through your experience at [Previous Company/Project]. What was your most significant strategic contribution, and what was the impact?
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Behavioral / Leadership

8
Type · Ownership
Tell me about a time you took ownership of a challenging sales situation that was not initially your responsibility. What did you do, and what was the outcome?
9
Type · Influence
Describe a situation where you had to influence a key decision-maker or stakeholder who was initially resistant to your proposal. How did you approach it, and what was the result?
+ 8 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)