How long does the Strategy& 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 Strategy&?

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 Strategy&?

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.

Why are you interested in strategy consulting, and specifically Strategy&, over other consulting firms like McKinsey or BCG?

Type: Motivation. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Estimate the total market size for electric vehicle charging stations in North America over the next 5 years.

Type: Market Sizing. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

A major airline wants to increase its profitability. What are the key levers they can pull, and how would you prioritize them?

Type: Profitability. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Describe a time you led a team through a significant challenge or crisis. What was your role, what actions did you take, and what was the outcome?

Type: Leadership. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Strategy& emphasizes 'bold strategy' and 'practical execution.' Can you give an example from your experience where you've demonstrated both of these qualities?

Type: Firm Knowledge. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Your resume mentions your role in [specific project/achievement]. Can you walk me through the key decisions you made and the impact they had on the project's success?

Type: Resume Deep Dive. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Tell me about a time you had a significant disagreement with a colleague or team member. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?

Type: Conflict Resolution. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Describe a time you took ownership of a project or task that was failing or at risk. What did you do to turn it around?

Type: Ownership. Sign up at JobMentis to see the full framework, grading signals, and worked answer for this question.

Enterprise · Strategy Consultant Interview Guide

How to Pass the Strategy& Strategy Consultant Interview in 2026

The Strategy& DNA (TL;DR)

Strategy& values a structured, hypothesis-driven approach to problem-solving, emphasizing clear communication and the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights. They look for candidates who can demonstrate strategic thinking and a pragmatic, results-oriented mindset, reflecting their PwC heritage.

The Strategy& Interview Loop

Your onsite loop will typically consist of 4 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 Strategy& interview outcomes, avoid these common traps:

Giving up too easily when faced with initial skepticism.
Failing to break down the market into logical, addressable segments (e.g., residential, commercial, public).
Not demonstrating knowledge of the office's key industries, clients, or senior partners.
Not considering the impact of government incentives, technological advancements, or competitor actions on market growth.

Test Yourself: Real Strategy& Questions

Three real prompts pulled from our database.

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 defined responsibilities.

Type · Market Entry

Should a US-based pharmaceutical company enter the market for a novel gene therapy treatment in Southeast Asia? What factors should they consider?

Type · Office Fit

Why are you interested in working out of the [specific Strategy& office location] office? What do you know about our client base and industry focus here?

+ many more questions, signals, and worked examples

Unlock the rubric →

Strategy& Interview Question Bank

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

9 of 14 questions shown

Recruiter Screen

1
Type · Motivation
Why are you interested in strategy consulting, and specifically Strategy&, over other consulting firms like McKinsey or BCG?

Case Interview

2
Type · Market Sizing
Estimate the total market size for electric vehicle charging stations in North America over the next 5 years.
3
Type · Profitability
A major airline wants to increase its profitability. What are the key levers they can pull, and how would you prioritize them?
+ 2 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 challenge or crisis. What was your role, what actions did you take, 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 defined responsibilities.
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Fit / Partner Round

6
Type · Firm Knowledge
Strategy& emphasizes 'bold strategy' and 'practical execution.' Can you give an example from your experience where you've demonstrated both of these qualities?
7
Type · Resume Deep Dive
Your resume mentions your role in [specific project/achievement]. Can you walk me through the key decisions you made and the impact they had on the project's success?
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Behavioral / Leadership

8
Type · Conflict Resolution
Tell me about a time you had a significant disagreement with a colleague or team member. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
9
Type · Ownership
Describe a time you took ownership of a project or task that was failing or at risk. What did you do to turn it around?
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Unlock the full Strategy& question bank

Free signup, no credit card. You get every question + the framework, grading signals, and worked answer for each.

Unlock all questions →

Interview tracks at Strategy&

How Strategy&'s DNA translates across functions. Pick your role.

For strategy consultants at Strategy&, this DNA manifests as the ability to dissect ambiguous business problems, develop logical frameworks, and conduct rigorous analysis (market sizing, competitive analysis, financial modeling) to support strategic recommendations. Interviewers will probe for how you structure your thinking, challenge assumptions, and translate analysis into clear, impactful client-ready advice, often drawing on real-world case examples from their diverse industry experience.

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 defined responsibilities.

Market Entry

Should a US-based pharmaceutical company enter the market for a novel gene therapy treatment in Southeast Asia? What factors should they consider?

+ 1 more

Unlock the Strategy Consultant grading rubric for Strategy&

See full Strategy Consultant guide