Why LEK Interview Questions
LEK interview questions is commonly asked inquiries by LEK Consulting during the interview process for assessing candidates' suitability.
To successfully clear the LEK interview, it is extremely important to familiarize yourself with LEK’s history, culture, and values. Here is a comprehensive overview that will provide you with the necessary information and help you grasp the essence of this renowned consulting firm's culture and values.
LEK Consulting is one of the most prestigious consulting firms to work for. It is the only global strategy consulting firm that has grown from a UK-based firm to the second-largest European strategy consulting firm, just behind Roland Berger.
LEK advises 20% of the world’s largest companies which entails leading private equity firms and governments. However, it is a generalist strategy consultancy and is the leading advisor to the biotech industry.
The culture is very open, highly supportive, and has a well-built system that strongly emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. This is mainly to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
There are many reasons one might choose to work at LEK Consulting and several ways to get a job there. The major steps include:
- Submit your application via the online application system by Oleoo
- Take the digital assessment
- Interview
- Receive your decision
Although the process may appear daunting, it is understandable why individuals are enticed by the prospect of working at LEK. The firm offers a stimulating environment that combines challenging and impactful work with competitive compensation and a sense of social fulfillment.
Preparing for a consulting interview could turn out to be a daunting task. Still, you need the right approach and mindset to ace it, and the whole process could be all the more rewarding.
Follow these tips to stand out as a strong candidate for a consulting position at LEK:
- Be prepared to discuss the industry trends and challenges; to do that successfully, you need to deeply understand the industry you are interested in.
- Networking with current or ex-LEK employees to gain valuable insights into the interview process, work environment, and culture.
- Do your research on LEK’s competition and current position in the market.
- Review the LEK website and publications, and stay updated.
- Practice to improve your ability to articulate complex ideas concisely.
- Be open-minded and show your ability and willingness to grow and learn.
- Remember to prepare thoughtful questions demonstrating your willingness to work in the company and your overall understanding of the consulting industry.
- Most importantly, dress professionally and be punctual to give a good impression from the beginning!
LEK is one of the most desirable firms for candidates in Europe and globally, which makes this process all the more competitive and interesting! So you must prepare yourself for all types of interview questions.
What’s important to remember is that you should start case-prepping and do extensive research on everything mentioned in this article so you are ready when this opportunity lands at your doorstep!
Check WSO Interview courses to prepare for your interview and ace them!
L.E.K’s Recruitment: Digital Assessment
Before talking about digital assessment, you should always remember to attend all company information sessions and network with its existing employees. If you can manage to get a referral, then that will definitely help expedite your recruitment process!
The Digital Assessment employed by LEK is a series of intuitive games designed to be completed within approximately 10 minutes. This assessment aims to create a fair and equitable evaluation platform for applicants from diverse backgrounds and those who may not have attended top or target schools.
Type of questions to expect:
- Mathematical to test numerical skills
- Pattern memorization to test memory
- Jigsaw puzzle-like games to test the logic and problem-solving abilities of candidates
Here are things to remember before attempting your Digital Assessment:
- Check your Tech and environment
- Schedule the assessment at an appropriate time
- Carefully read the instructions
- Watch videos to prepare and practice other relatable digital games
By being mindful of these considerations, you can approach the Digital Assessment confidently and maximize your chances of success.
Why LEK Interview Question
Figuring out the most important question, “Why LEK'' would help you clear your interview and put things into perspective for you. You need to determine what motivates you to work at this consultancy.
You should understand that your professional journey is in progress, and the interviewer wants you to explain how this consultancy fits into the current stage of the journey in terms of values, culture, exposure to risk, transformation projects, etc.
You should avoid mentioning “high pay” or other pecuniary benefits because the interviewer is trying to determine if you fit their values at this stage of your recruitment process.
Avoid focusing solely on monetary benefits and instead emphasize factors that align with the company's values during this stage of the recruitment process.
Here are a few tips to help you develop an appropriate response to this question:
1. Conduct thorough research
Do your research about the company, its culture, values, ongoing projects and the ones currently in the company pipeline, research work published, etc. Then, take your research a step further and devise a 60-day plan when you get hired. Act like you are already there!
2. Focus on what you are good at
Make sure to put your best foot forward and focus on how your skill set aligns with the company’s work. For example, if you have prior experience in M&E, you highlight many ways you are ready to contribute to the M&E service line of the company.
3. Narrow down your reasoning and be specific
Be as specific as you can about what you find so attractive about the company, such as their work, any value that inspires you to do better, etc.
Generalized answers only lower your chance of getting accepted.
4. Speak passionately about your career goals.
Try to connect your personal and professional long-term goals with the company and explain how LEK would help you prepare for and achieve those goals. You can do this by building an idea about what this firm is good at or known for!
5. Make sure your answers are not too rehearsed.
At this point, the interviewer is trying to get to know you. He is interested in your motivations,
so remember that your answers should come from an honest and genuine place instead of giving the interviewer reasons you think they want to hear.
Networking with people working at the firm or those who have already worked there can help you understand what’s good/bad about the company. You can do this by reaching out to friends of friends, mutual connections, cold emails, etc.
Through extensive research, try to understand what this company is known for. This way, during your interview, you can ask the right questions and refine your understanding of what makes your potential workplace different.
Try to make sure that your answer revolves around a few specific key areas such as the company culture- history, style of work, specialization of the company- the type of work they are mostly known for, sectors- such as LEK is into Medtech and biotech, and clients.
Sample answers for ‘Why LEK’ interview question:
- "LEK Consulting stands out due to its rich history as a leading management consulting firm, delivering strategic solutions for over 30 years. Its proven track record showcases adaptability and success in meeting client needs.
Additionally, LEK's collaborative culture fosters innovation and personal growth, providing a supportive environment for employees to thrive. The firm's global presence offers exposure to diverse markets, enabling professionals to make a meaningful difference on a global scale."
- "LEK Consulting stands out as a premier management consulting firm with a long-standing history of delivering strategic solutions. With a solid track record spanning over 30 years, LEK has consistently demonstrated its ability to meet client needs and drive business success.
In summary, LEK Consulting encapsulates all the elements I seek in an employer: a solid company history, a collaborative and inclusive culture, high employee satisfaction rates, and the potential for global exposure and impactful work.
Joining LEK would not only allow me to leverage my skills and contribute to strategic solutions but also provide ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. I am excited about the prospect of joining the LEK team and making a meaningful impact in the consulting industry."
It is important to personalize your response based on your own experiences, motivations, and aspirations to make an impact on your interviewer!
Incorporating LEK’s Core Values In Your Answer
While preparing for your “Why LEK” answer, you should remember that your answer should comprise company values and which one you find the most attractive. Share the core values that are true for you, and you might make a difference at the company!
It is always a personal choice to share these values. Still, it is extremely important to be self-aware to understand how these values differentiate you at the company and dictate how you interact and connect with others during your time with the company.
LEK’s core values:
1. Adaptability and Rigor
The company expects its employees to go through a process of continuous learning to better understand and get motivated by complex problems, strive for fresh insight, and keep themselves updated at all times.
2. Creativity and integrity
Employees are encouraged to take the initiative on many things ranging from community efforts to personal responsibilities, looking for interesting cases, etc.
3. Empowerment and inclusivity
The company stimulates an environment where employees are encouraged to share their knowledge and are expected to be as collaborative with different personalities and cultures.
4. Happiness and High Performance
An important value of the company is that employees should always strive to deliver products of the highest quality while being mindful and respectful of others and enjoying the workplace.
Other LEK Interview Questions: Behavioral Interview
During the recruitment process's behavioral or fit interview stage, it is highly recommended to structure your answers using the STAR method (Situation + Task + Action + Result). This framework allows you to provide comprehensive and structured responses that showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
Using the STAR method, you can effectively structure your answers and provide the interviewer with a clear and concise understanding of your experiences and capabilities. In addition, it allows you to highlight your problem-solving skills, teamwork, leadership abilities, and the positive impact you have made in previous situations.
Here are the most commonly asked behavioral questions:
Try to talk about how you can make an impact while working in this profession and how it can help you reach your objective and goals! For example, solving a major challenging issue in the industry you are interested in.
Sample answer:
“As a recent graduate, I extensively explored different career paths, and decided on something that would challenge me to learn more and work on diverse projects.
Consulting stood out because of its dynamic nature, and I am excited to pursue it as it renders various opportunities for personal and professional goals.”
This is the perfect opportunity to pour in everything you have ever wanted on your resume and how this role can help achieve that, along with your efforts. Of course, your social work or anything you have gained recognition for is interesting.
Sample answer:
“In my penultimate year, I volunteered for an animal shelter and noticed the shelter struggled with funding efforts. So I organized a fundraiser, which entailed activities like bake sales, and my team was able to raise $5000.
This whole experience taught me the importance of fundraising and how to become an active contributor to society.”
Choose an event in your life where you failed to achieve expectations and how you were later on able to overcome that situation because that is where the emphasis should be at.
Sample answer:
“During a consulting project, I had to create a financial model to analyze sales data but ended up making a crucial mistake in incorporating numbers. I took responsibility and promptly informed the team leader to redo the analysis with him.
While there was a delay in the timeline, the client appreciated our professionalism and honesty. This experience made me understand the importance of taking responsibility and how to be more collaborative.”
You will not find a better opportunity to connect with the interviewer on a personal level. Ask about their experiences in the field and why they got into it in the first place and see if it relates to your answers, their most challenging case, etc.
Remember that the more you let the interviewer speak in this question, the more the chances of you leaving a positive impression on them. It is their time to shine!
Sample answer:
“
- Can you give me an example of a successful project that you led?
- Walk me through your problem-solving approach.
- How do you prioritize and manage your workload?
- How do you ensure that your recommendations are sustainable in the long run?”
This is where you choose your most unique and memorable accomplishment. Explain why this particular one out of many is so meaningful for you and what this tells about you in terms of your character, personality, etc.
Sample answer:
“During my time as a project manager, I led a cross-functional team that was tasked with implementing a new CRM system for our oldest client. I was able to deliver on time and within budget.
Our client witnessed a 45% increase in customer satisfaction and 40% increase in sales within the next four months.”
Here you should choose a situation where you originally disagreed with someone, then, later on, emphasize what your strategy was during that process and the impact on the organization that ensued from your strategy.
Sample answer:
“As a marketing consultant, I was faced with a client who was hesitant to invest in social media marketing. I presented the client data showcasing the efficiency of these ads and some successful case studies that were relatable to his business.
The client agreed, resulting in a massive 40% increase in sales and 30% increase in revenue for the year.”
The interviewer has already read your resume and wants to see if you can make it interesting, so start with a summary of your recent work experience and accomplishments and tie it to why you would be a great fit for LEK.
Sample answer:
“My resume showcases my growth in finance, a notable project that outshines my other experiences was where I had to create a financial model for a fintech startup resulting in $3M funding raised.
I am extremely passionate about this field and want to continue making valuable contributions to this industry!”
Your emphasis should be on what steps you took to sort out the conflict and the soft skills you had to use while doing that, all of which should portray that you can handle a potential conflict constructively.
Sample answer:
“During an analyst briefing session, I encountered a disagreement with a client regarding the best approach for an upcoming project.
After listening to his concerns, I provided him with data-backed reasoning to arrive at a mutually beneficial solution instead of continuous arguments. This approach to the problem both strengthened our relationship and resulted in a successful outcome.”
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