Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

 

The Frontier Economics interview consists of two rounds that test your behavioral fit and applied microeconomics knowledge through case study discussions. According to Glassdoor, 77% of candidates rate the experience as positive, with an average difficulty of 3.2 out of 5. Here is everything you need to know to prepare and stand out.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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What Is the Frontier Economics Interview Process?

 

Frontier Economics uses a straightforward three-stage hiring process. It starts with an online application, followed by two interview rounds. According to Glassdoor data, the average hiring timeline is about five weeks from application to offer, though some candidates report hearing back in as little as one week.

 

Each interview round lasts roughly one hour and includes both a behavioral section and a case study discussion. The first round is typically with two consultants (one level above analyst), while the second round is with two directors or senior managers.

 

Here is a breakdown of the full process:

 

Stage	Format	Interviewers	Focus Areas	Duration
Online Application	CV + written questions	Recruiting team	Academic background, motivation	N/A
First Round	Virtual or in-person	Two consultants	Behavioral questions + economics case study	~60 minutes
Final Round	Virtual or in-office	Two directors	Deeper behavioral + economics discussion or case	~60 to 90 minutes

 

Some candidates report that the first round includes 5 minutes of prep time before the case study, while the final round jumps straight in with no preparation time. The final round may also involve a broader economics conversation rather than a formal case study.

 

What Does Frontier Economics Look for in Candidates?

 

Frontier Economics evaluates candidates on both economics knowledge and consulting potential. Based on insights from current employees at Frontier, the firm places equal weight on consulting skills and economics skills. The ideal candidate is someone who can explain complex economic concepts in simple, clear language.

 

Here are the five key qualities Frontier assesses:

 

• Applied microeconomics knowledge: Can you take textbook concepts like supply and demand, market structure, and elasticity and apply them to real business and policy problems?

 

• Clear communication: Can you translate technical analysis into plain language that a client or non-economist could understand?

 

• Structured thinking: Do you approach problems logically and break them into manageable parts, similar to how you would approach a case interview framework?

 

• Collaboration and teamwork: Can you work effectively with colleagues and interact well with clients? Frontier is employee-owned, so teamwork is part of the firm's DNA.

 

• Intellectual curiosity: Are you genuinely interested in using economics to solve real problems? Frontier wants people who are excited by the work, not just the paycheck.

 

In my experience coaching candidates for economic consulting interviews, the biggest differentiator is communication clarity. Many candidates know the economics but struggle to explain it simply. That is the skill that will set you apart.

 

What Happens in the Behavioral Interview?

 

Each interview round at Frontier begins with roughly 30 minutes of behavioral and motivational questions before moving to the case study. The behavioral portion focuses on your motivation for joining the firm, your fit with the culture, and your ability to work in teams.

 

What Behavioral Questions Does Frontier Economics Ask?

 

Based on candidate reports, the most common behavioral interview questions at Frontier include:

 

• Why do you want to work at Frontier Economics?

 

• Why economic consulting over management consulting or academia?

 

• What role do you play in a team?

 

• How would you handle a client asking you to go against the firm's values?

 

• Tell me about a time you explained a complex concept to a non-expert.

 

• Why are you transitioning from academia to consulting? (if applicable)

 

These questions are designed to test your self-awareness and motivation. Generic answers will not work here. You need to show you have researched Frontier specifically and can articulate why this firm is the right fit for you.

 

How Should You Answer "Why Frontier Economics?"

 

The "Why Frontier?" question comes up in almost every Frontier interview. A strong answer should touch on at least three specific reasons that are unique to the firm. Here are the most compelling angles:

 

• Employee-owned structure: Frontier is 100% employee-owned, meaning every permanent employee shares in the firm's profits. This creates a collaborative, non-hierarchical culture where everyone has a stake in the firm's success.

 

• Applied microeconomics focus: Unlike management consulting firms that cover broad strategy, Frontier specializes in applying economic theory to real problems in competition, regulation, and public policy.

 

• Sustainability and energy expertise: Frontier is recognized as a top firm for energy and climate change consulting. If you are passionate about sustainability, this is a strong angle.

 

• Cross-sector rotation: Employees are encouraged to rotate across practice areas. This means you build broad expertise rather than getting stuck in a narrow niche.

 

Pick the two or three reasons that resonate most with your background and interests. Back each reason up with a specific example or detail about Frontier that shows you have done your homework.

 

What Is the Frontier Economics Case Study Like?

 

The case study is the most important part of the Frontier Economics interview. It takes up roughly 30 minutes of each round and is designed to test your grasp of core microeconomics concepts and your ability to apply them to real consulting scenarios. Frontier's own recruiting materials state that they want to assess your economics knowledge and your ability to apply it to solve problems.

 

How Do Frontier Case Studies Differ from Management Consulting Cases?

 

If you have prepared for traditional case interviews at firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, you will notice that Frontier's cases are quite different. The table below highlights the key differences:

 

Dimension	Management Consulting Case	Frontier Economics Case
Core focus	Business strategy, profitability, market entry	Applied microeconomics, regulation, competition policy
Technical knowledge	General business acumen	Specific micro and econometrics concepts
Typical question	Should Company X enter the Chinese market?	What are the welfare effects of a price cap in this market?
Math involved	Revenue, cost, profit calculations	Elasticity, surplus, regression interpretation
Frameworks used	Profitability, market entry, M&A frameworks	Supply-demand analysis, market structure, welfare economics
Format	Candidate-led or interviewer-led	Discussion-based, interviewer-guided

 

The biggest difference is that Frontier expects you to apply specific economic theory, not just general business logic. If you are coming from a management consulting prep background, make sure you layer on microeconomics review. For a deeper look at economic consulting case interviews, check out our full guide.

 

What Topics Do Frontier Case Studies Cover?

 

Frontier's case studies are based on the types of projects the firm actually works on. Based on candidate reports from recent interviews, common case study topics include:

 

• Patent economics and monopoly power (e.g., how patents affect competition and pricing)

 

• Carbon pricing and environmental economics (e.g., evaluating a carbon tax)

 

• Price caps and regulation (e.g., the welfare effects of a price ceiling in a utility market)

 

• Policy evaluation (e.g., designing a method to measure the impact of a government intervention)

 

• Subsidy analysis (e.g., the Chinese electric car subsidy's effect on the auto market)

 

• Merger analysis (e.g., whether a merger between two firms would reduce competition)

 

Notice that these topics all involve applied microeconomics. You will not get a typical profitability or market sizing case. Instead, expect to discuss how economic forces like supply and demand, market power, and externalities play out in a specific industry context.

 

What Microeconomics Concepts Should You Review?

 

Former Frontier interviewees consistently say the firm cares most about your grasp of basic micro concepts and your ability to explain them clearly. You do not need PhD-level theory. You need to nail the fundamentals. Here are the core concepts to review:

 

• Supply and demand: Shifts, movements along curves, equilibrium price and quantity

 

• Elasticity: Price elasticity of demand and supply, cross-price elasticity, income elasticity

 

• Market structure: Perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition

 

• Competition policy: Barriers to entry, market power, anti-competitive behavior, merger effects

 

• Welfare analysis: Consumer surplus, producer surplus, deadweight loss, government intervention effects

 

• Externalities and public goods: Positive and negative externalities, Pigouvian taxes, free-rider problem

 

• Game theory basics: Nash equilibrium, prisoner's dilemma, strategic interaction between firms

 

• Econometrics fundamentals: Regression analysis, R-squared, difference-in-differences, counterfactual reasoning

 

Having coached hundreds of candidates for economic consulting interviews, I recommend spending at least 70% of your preparation time on these fundamentals rather than trying to learn advanced theory. The interviewers want to see that you can think like an economist, not that you have memorized textbook proofs.

 

How Should You Approach the Frontier Economics Case Study?

 

Frontier case studies are discussion-based, meaning the interviewer will guide you through the problem rather than expecting you to lead the entire case independently. That said, you still need a clear approach. Here is a five-step framework that works well:

 

Step 1: Clarify the problem. Make sure you understand the market, the policy, or the economic issue at hand. Ask one or two clarifying questions before jumping in.

 

Step 2: Identify the relevant economic framework. Determine which micro concepts apply. Is this a supply and demand problem? A competition issue? A welfare analysis? Name the framework out loud so the interviewer can see your thinking.

 

Step 3: Apply the theory to the specific scenario. Walk through how the economic forces interact in this particular case. Use diagrams in your head or describe them verbally. For example, explain how a price cap would create excess demand in a specific market.

 

Step 4: Discuss measurement and data. Frontier is an evidence-based firm. Explain how you would collect data, what econometric methods you would use, and what a counterfactual analysis might look like. This is where econometrics knowledge adds real value.

 

Step 5: Communicate the real-world implications. Tie your analysis back to what it means for the client, the regulator, or the market participants. This shows you can translate economics into actionable advice.

 

If you want to build a strong foundation in structured problem solving for case interviews, my case interview course covers proven strategies that apply to both management and economic consulting cases.

 

What Are Common Mistakes in Frontier Economics Interviews?

 

Based on candidate feedback and my experience coaching for economic consulting firms, here are the five most common mistakes to avoid:

 

• Treating it like a management consulting case. If you walk in with a profitability framework and start breaking down revenue and costs, you will miss the mark. Frontier wants to see economic reasoning, not business strategy frameworks.

 

• Being too theoretical. Reciting textbook definitions without applying them to the scenario is a red flag. The interviewer wants to see you use the theory as a tool, not as an end in itself.

 

• Ignoring communication clarity. Frontier's clients include government regulators and non-economists. If you cannot explain your analysis in plain language, you will not get an offer.

 

• Not researching the firm's practice areas. Frontier has six distinct practices: competition, public policy, strategy, energy, transport and water, and telecommunications. Knowing what they actually do shows genuine interest.

 

• Neglecting the behavioral round. Many candidates over-prepare for the case study and underprepare for the behavioral questions. At Frontier, the behavioral section carries significant weight because culture fit matters in an employee-owned firm.

 

How Should You Prepare for the Frontier Economics Interview?

 

A focused preparation plan of two to three weeks is enough for most candidates with an economics degree. Here is what to prioritize:

 

Review core microeconomics. Go back to your intermediate micro textbook and review the concepts listed above. Focus on being able to explain each concept clearly and apply it to a real scenario, not just define it.

 

Brush up on econometrics. You do not need to run regressions during the interview, but you should understand the logic behind regression analysis, how to identify causal effects, and common methods like difference-in-differences. According to multiple candidate reports, interviewers specifically test applied econometrics knowledge.

 

Practice explaining economics in plain language. Pick a concept like deadweight loss or price elasticity and try explaining it to a friend who has never studied economics. If they understand you, you are ready.

 

Research Frontier's recent work. Visit frontier-economics.com and read their published case studies and insights. The firm works across competition policy, regulation, energy and climate change, public policy, transport and water, and telecommunications. Knowing their actual projects gives you material for both the case study and behavioral questions.

 

Do mock cases with an economics focus. Find a partner and practice discussing economic policy scenarios. For example, debate the effects of a merger in a concentrated market or the impact of a carbon tax on different industries. This discussion-based format is exactly what Frontier uses.

 

Prepare your behavioral answers. Draft structured answers for the common questions listed above. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your stories focused. For more guidance on behavioral interviews, check out our fit interview course.

 

What Is the Frontier Economics Salary and Career Path?

 

Frontier Economics offers competitive compensation for an economic consulting firm, with the added benefit of its employee-owned profit-sharing structure. According to Glassdoor data and industry reports, here are the estimated salary ranges for the London office:

 

Role	Estimated Base Salary	Typical Experience
Consultant	~£70,000	Entry-level (graduate)
Senior Consultant	~£80,000	2 to 4 years
Manager	~£113,000	5 to 8 years
Director	Up to £240,000	10+ years

 

On top of base salary, Frontier distributes 100% of its annual profits to employees through its profit-sharing plan. Current employees report that compensation increases by 10% to 15% per year in the first few years. The firm also maintains strong work-life balance, with insiders reporting average work weeks of about 40 hours.

 

The career path at Frontier follows a clear progression: Consultant, Senior Consultant, Manager, and Director. The firm currently has about 500 employees across nine European offices (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Dublin, London, Madrid, Paris, and Prague), plus offices in Australia and Singapore through its sister company.

 

Exit opportunities after Frontier are strong. Consultants leave with expertise in microeconomics, econometrics, and applied policy evaluation, which prepares them for roles in government, industry, other consulting firms, international organizations, and academia.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How Many Interview Rounds Does Frontier Economics Have?

 

Frontier Economics has two interview rounds after the initial online application. The first round is with two consultants and the second round is with two directors. Both rounds include behavioral questions and an economics case study or discussion.

 

Does Frontier Economics Ask Traditional Management Consulting Cases?

 

No. Frontier's case studies focus on applied microeconomics, not traditional business strategy cases. Expect topics like price regulation, competition policy, and policy evaluation rather than profitability or market entry cases. That said, structured thinking and clear communication skills from case interview preparation will still help you perform well.

 

What Economics Degree Do You Need for Frontier Economics?

 

Frontier primarily hires candidates with economics degrees at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. A strong background in microeconomics and econometrics is essential. Some candidates with quantitative degrees in mathematics, statistics, or public policy are also considered, as long as they can demonstrate solid economics knowledge.

 

How Long Does the Frontier Economics Hiring Process Take?

 

According to Glassdoor, the average hiring process at Frontier takes about five weeks from application to offer. Some candidates report faster timelines of one to two weeks, while others report up to eight weeks. The firm generally responds quickly between stages.

 

Is the Frontier Economics Interview Hard?

 

Frontier interviews are rated 3.2 out of 5 for difficulty on Glassdoor, which puts them in the moderately difficult range. The case study component is the most challenging part, especially if you are not comfortable applying microeconomics to real scenarios. However, with solid preparation in the fundamentals, most candidates with an economics background can perform well.

 

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