Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

FTI Consulting interviews test your case interview skills, behavioral fit, and sometimes technical finance knowledge across two rounds of interviews. According to Glassdoor data from 2026, FTI receives thousands of applications each year with an estimated acceptance rate between 5% and 7%, and the average hiring process takes about 26 days.

 

This guide covers every stage of the FTI Consulting interview process, including the exact format for each round, 6 real case examples from past candidates, 10 behavioral questions with answer strategies, and a structured prep plan. Whether you are applying to Corporate Finance, Economic Consulting, or any of FTI's five segments, you will find what you need here.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Is FTI Consulting?

 

FTI Consulting is a global business advisory firm that helps organizations manage change, mitigate risk, and resolve disputes. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., FTI employs more than 8,100 professionals across 31 countries and 84 cities worldwide.

 

Unlike generalist strategy firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, FTI is known for deep specialization. The firm advises 83 of the Fortune 100 companies and works with 98 of the top 100 global law firms, according to FTI's corporate website.

 

FTI Consulting reported over $3.5 billion in revenue in 2024, making it one of the largest consulting firms by revenue globally. The firm's work spans high-stakes situations like corporate restructurings, fraud investigations, and economic disputes.

 

What Are FTI Consulting's Five Practice Areas?

 

FTI Consulting operates across five specialized segments. This matters for your interview because you will apply to a specific practice, not as a generalist. Each segment may emphasize different skills during the interview process.

 

• Corporate Finance and Restructuring: Advises companies on restructuring, turnaround, bankruptcy, and transaction advisory. This is FTI's largest and most well-known segment.

 

• Forensic and Litigation Consulting: Supports investigations, disputes, and regulatory matters. Consultants often work alongside legal teams on fraud, anti-corruption, and data breach cases.

 

• Economic Consulting: Provides expert testimony and economic analysis for antitrust, securities, and intellectual property disputes. This segment often hires candidates with strong quantitative backgrounds.

 

• Technology: Helps organizations manage data through e-discovery, information governance, and cybersecurity consulting.

 

• Strategic Communications: Advises companies on reputation management, crisis communications, investor relations, and public affairs.

 

In my experience coaching candidates, the segment you apply to significantly shapes your interview. Corporate Finance interviews tend to include more technical finance questions, while Economic Consulting interviews lean more toward traditional case studies and quantitative analysis.

 

What Does the FTI Consulting Interview Process Look Like?

 

The FTI Consulting interview process consists of two main rounds, plus optional online assessments depending on the role and office. According to FTI Consulting's interview preparation page, the process may vary by country, region, or hiring team.

 

What Happens in the First Round?

 

The first round is typically one interview lasting 30 to 60 minutes. It focuses primarily on behavioral and fit questions designed to evaluate your communication skills, motivation for joining FTI, and relevant past experiences.

 

Some offices conduct this round via phone or video call. Others use HireVue, where you record your answers to pre-set questions on video. Based on Glassdoor data, about 62% of candidates describe their FTI interview experience as positive, with a difficulty rating of 2.82 out of 5.

 

What Happens in the Second Round (Super Day)?

 

The second round consists of three to six back-to-back interviews, often held on-site at an FTI office. These interviews are more focused on case interviews, but you will still face behavioral questions in nearly every session.

 

Second round interviews usually include a networking lunch or dinner with current FTI consultants. Treat these informal interactions as part of the evaluation. FTI recruiters consistently say that candidates who show genuine passion for FTI's work stand out.

 

Does FTI Use Online Assessments or HireVue?

 

Yes. Many entry-level and analyst roles include online assessments before the live interview rounds. These typically test numerical reasoning, verbal analysis, and logical thinking in a timed format lasting 20 to 30 minutes.

 

Some offices also use HireVue video screening as part of early rounds. You will receive behavioral questions on screen, have 30 to 60 seconds to prepare, and 2 to 3 minutes to record your answer. If your target role involves an assessment, practice with SHL-style sample tests beforehand to build speed and confidence.

 

	First Round	Second Round (Super Day)
Format	1 interview (phone, video, or HireVue)	3 to 6 back-to-back interviews, usually on-site
Duration	30 to 60 minutes	Half day to full day
Focus	Behavioral and fit questions	Case interviews + behavioral questions
Question Types	Why FTI, resume walk-through, STAR stories	Business cases, data interpretation, fit questions, sometimes technical finance
Networking	Rarely	Often includes lunch or dinner with consultants

 

How Do You Solve an FTI Consulting Case Interview?

 

FTI Consulting case interviews are candidate-led. You will be in the driver's seat, expected to ask the right questions, structure the problem, perform the analysis, and steer the overall direction of the case.

 

Having coached hundreds of candidates through consulting interviews, I can tell you that the candidate-led format at FTI is more demanding than interviewer-led cases at some other firms. You need to proactively decide which areas to explore rather than waiting for the interviewer to guide you.

 

Follow these four steps to solve any FTI Consulting case interview.

 

Step 1: Understand the Case

 

The case will begin with the interviewer giving you the case information. While the interviewer is speaking, take meticulous notes on the most important pieces of information. Focus on understanding the context of the situation, the company, and the objective of the case.

 

Do not be afraid to ask clarifying questions if you miss something. If you are not familiar with the industry, it is completely acceptable to ask how it works. Repeating the information back to the interviewer is helpful to confirm your understanding.

 

Make sure to verify the objective of the case. Not addressing the right business question is the quickest way to fail a case interview.

 

Step 2: Structure the Problem

 

Develop a framework to help you tackle the business problem. A framework is a tool that helps you structure and break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components.

 

It is completely acceptable to ask the interviewer for a moment of silence so you can collect your thoughts. Once you have identified the major issues or areas to explore, walk the interviewer through your framework. They may ask questions or provide feedback.

 

For a complete guide on how to create tailored frameworks for each case, check out our article on case interview frameworks.

 

Step 3: Solve the Problem

 

Once you have your framework, begin solving the case. You will likely need to answer a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions.

 

When solving quantitative problems, walk the interviewer through your approach before doing any math. Check if the interviewer has additional data for you before making your own assumptions. Label your calculations clearly and write out all numbers so the interviewer can follow along.

 

When answering qualitative questions, structure your answer logically. For both types, go beyond just answering the question. Tie the implications of your answers back to the case objective to develop your hypothesis for a recommendation.

 

If you want to master case interviews quickly, my case interview course walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days.

 

Step 4: Make a Recommendation

 

In the last step, present your recommendation and the major reasons that support it. You do not need to recap everything you did in the case. Focus on summarizing only the facts that matter most.

 

Include potential next steps that you would take if you had more time or data. These can be areas of your framework that you did not explore or lingering questions you do not have great answers for.

 

What Are Real FTI Consulting Case Interview Examples?

 

Below are FTI case interviews that were given to past candidates. For more practice, check out our article on 23 MBA consulting casebooks with 700+ free practice cases.

 

Example 1: Rice Cakes (Profitability)

 

Quaker is a large food manufacturer based in the United States. They produce breakfast cereals and other food and drink products. In the United States, Quaker is the market leader in rice cakes.

 

The CEO is looking to increase the profitability of their rice cake product line and is trying to decide whether to raise or lower the price of their rice cake products. What should Quaker do?

 

Example 2: Space Satellite (Strategic Decision)

 

Your client is SpaceX, a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. Your client currently owns a satellite that they acquired from a global telecommunications company a few years ago.

 

A large IT company is offering SpaceX $20 million to purchase the satellite. Should your client accept this offer?

 

Example 3: Hardware Stores (Competitive Response)

 

ACE Hardware is a hardware retailer chain that does over $5 billion in annual sales and has over 5,000 stores. Home Depot recently moved towards selling more hardware products, overlapping more with the types of products that ACE Hardware sells.

 

The CEO of ACE Hardware has hired you to determine what kind of threat Home Depot poses and how ACE Hardware should respond.

 

Example 4: Law Firm Salary (Compensation Analysis)

 

Your client is a prominent law firm based in New York City. They have over 3,000 attorneys in 30 offices worldwide, making it one of the largest law firms in the world.

 

Your client is well known for their high attorney compensation. They hire attorneys that have just graduated from law school and pay them a $190,000 base salary, which does not include performance bonuses. Does paying this high of a compensation make sense?

 

Example 5: Computer Chip Price Fixing (Damages Quantification)

 

A group of computer chip manufacturers are believed to have been abusing their power as market leaders in Europe by keeping prices artificially high. This group has been sued by their major customers.

 

The European Commission has ruled that these manufacturers must pay damages for overcharging. How would you quantify how much these manufacturers should be forced to pay?

 

Example 6: Aluminum Mining (Turnaround Strategy)

 

Your client is a global leader in aluminum mining and production. Although their unit costs are competitive, the client has seen declining profit margins each year for the past five years.

 

If this continues, they anticipate cash flow issues and will be unable to make payments to their suppliers. What would you advise the client to do to turn around the business?

 

Does FTI Ask Technical or Finance Questions?

 

Yes. Depending on the practice area, FTI interviews may include technical questions beyond standard consulting cases. This is especially common in Corporate Finance and Restructuring, where candidates report being asked about financial statements, valuation basics, and accounting fundamentals.

 

Based on candidate reports from Glassdoor and Wall Street Oasis, common technical topics include:

 

• Walk me through the three financial statements and explain how they connect.

 

• How does $10 of depreciation flow through the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement?

 

• What factors would you consider when valuing a distressed company?

 

• Explain the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

 

• What is enterprise value and how does it differ from equity value?

 

If you are applying to Corporate Finance or Forensic and Litigation Consulting, review basic accounting concepts, the three financial statements, and common valuation methods. For Economic Consulting roles, expect more emphasis on quantitative analysis and economic reasoning rather than finance-specific questions.

 

What Are the Most Common FTI Behavioral Interview Questions?

 

In addition to case interviews, you will be asked several behavioral or fit interview questions. These appear in both the first and second rounds. Here are the ten questions you should be prepared to answer.

 

1. Why FTI Consulting?

 

Have at least three reasons why you are interested in working at FTI Consulting. You could mention the people you have met from the company so far. You can talk about FTI's deep expertise in areas like corporate finance and restructuring, economic consulting, or forensic and litigation consulting. Finally, you can mention their entrepreneurial culture and emphasis on early specialization.

 

2. Why consulting?

 

Have three reasons why you are interested in consulting. You could mention the fast career growth, the opportunity to develop analytical and communication skills, or the impact you can make by working with large companies on their most important challenges.

 

3. Walk me through your resume.

 

Provide a concise summary of your work experience, starting with the most recent. Emphasize your most impressive and unique accomplishments. At the end, tie your experiences to why you are interested in consulting and why FTI specifically is a great fit for you.

 

4. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

 

Choose your most impressive, unique, or memorable accomplishment. Structure your answer using the STAR method: situation, task, actions, and results. Explain why the accomplishment is meaningful to you and what it reveals about your character.

 

5. Tell me about something that is not on your resume.

 

This is a great opportunity to highlight an accomplishment outside of your professional work. Perhaps you volunteer at a non-profit, work on a side project, or have a hobby you have won recognition for. Choose something impressive and interesting.

 

6. Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team.

 

If possible, choose a time when you directly managed a person or team. Use the STAR method and focus on the specific leadership actions you took. Quantify the outcome if you can.

 

7. Describe a time when you faced conflict or disagreement.

 

Focus on the steps you took to resolve the conflict or disagreement. Highlight the interpersonal skills you used to mediate the situation. Interviewers want to know you can handle conflict constructively.

 

8. Give an example of a time when you successfully persuaded someone.

 

Choose a time when you changed someone's mind who originally disagreed with you. Focus on the steps you took to persuade that person and the impact it had. Interviewers want to see that you are a strong communicator with solid people skills.

 

9. Tell me about a time when you failed.

 

Choose a time when you failed to meet a deadline or did not meet expectations. Do not pick a failure that is too big or embarrassing. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how you used that lesson to deliver better results next time.

 

10. Do you have any questions for me?

 

Use this as an opportunity to get to know the interviewer on a personal level. Ask about their experience at FTI, their favorite project, or what they are looking to do next in their career. The more you get the interviewer talking about themselves, the more likely they will have a positive impression of you.

 

For more help, check out our complete guide on consulting behavioral interview questions. If you want to be fully prepared for 98% of fit interview questions in just a few hours, check out my fit interview course.

 

How Should You Prepare for an FTI Consulting Interview?

 

Preparing for an FTI Consulting interview requires a different approach than preparing for a generalist strategy firm. Because FTI hires into specific practice areas, you need to demonstrate knowledge of and enthusiasm for the segment you are applying to.

 

Here is a preparation checklist that I recommend based on coaching hundreds of consulting candidates.

 

• Research your target segment: Visit FTI's website and read about the specific practice area you are applying to. Be ready to articulate why that segment interests you.

 

• Practice candidate-led cases: FTI cases require you to drive the interview. Practice at least 10 to 15 full cases before your interview, focusing on proactively leading the discussion.

 

• Prepare for technical questions: If you are applying to Corporate Finance, review the three financial statements, basic valuation methods, and restructuring concepts. If Economic Consulting, review econometrics and regression analysis basics.

 

• Prepare 4 to 5 STAR stories: Have a bank of behavioral stories you can adapt to any question. Practice delivering them out loud in under 2 minutes each.

 

• Study FTI's values: FTI emphasizes integrity, collaboration, excellence, respect, and accountability. Weave these themes into your behavioral answers.

 

• Practice online assessments: If your role includes numerical and verbal reasoning tests, do SHL-style practice tests to build speed. Aim to finish with time to spare.

 

What Is the Best Prep Timeline?

 

If you have two to four weeks before your interview, I recommend spending the first week learning case interview strategies and frameworks. Spend the second week practicing 5 to 8 cases independently.

 

In the third week, practice 5 to 10 cases with a partner and focus on getting feedback. Use the final days to review your behavioral stories, practice technical questions if relevant, and research FTI's recent projects and news.

 

If you want to accelerate your prep, interview coaching can help you improve 5x faster than practicing on your own by identifying and correcting your specific weak spots.

 

What Salary Can You Expect at FTI Consulting?

 

FTI Consulting offers competitive compensation that varies significantly by career level, practice area, and location. Below is a salary overview based on Glassdoor and Levels.fyi data from 2026.

 

Career Level	Base Salary Range	Total Compensation
Intern / Analyst	$62,000 to $80,000	$65,000 to $85,000
Consultant	$80,000 to $110,000	$90,000 to $130,000
Senior Consultant	$100,000 to $140,000	$115,000 to $170,000
Director	$140,000 to $200,000	$170,000 to $260,000
Senior Director	$180,000 to $250,000	$220,000 to $330,000
Managing Director	$220,000 to $300,000+	$280,000 to $400,000+

 

Salaries tend to be highest in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Corporate Finance and Restructuring roles typically command higher compensation than other segments. According to Glassdoor, FTI employees rate their compensation and benefits 3.7 out of 5 stars.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is It Hard to Get Hired at FTI Consulting?

 

Yes. FTI Consulting's estimated acceptance rate is between 5% and 7%, making it a selective employer. Glassdoor users rate the interview difficulty at 2.82 out of 5. Thorough preparation for both case and behavioral interviews significantly improves your chances.

 

How Long Does the FTI Consulting Hiring Process Take?

 

The average hiring process at FTI Consulting takes about 26 days from application to offer, according to Glassdoor data from 912 candidate submissions. Some roles take longer, with graduate consultant positions averaging the longest timelines.

 

What GPA Do You Need for FTI Consulting?

 

FTI Consulting generally looks for a GPA of 3.5 or higher. However, strong interview performance and relevant experience can offset a slightly lower GPA. Emphasize your accomplishments and prepare thoroughly for the interview.

 

What Makes FTI Consulting Different from MBB Firms?

 

FTI Consulting specializes in high-stakes situations like corporate restructuring, litigation support, and forensic investigations. Unlike MBB firms that focus on general management strategy, FTI consultants develop deep technical expertise in a specific practice area from day one.

 

Does FTI Consulting Sponsor MBAs?

 

In some cases, FTI Consulting offers MBA sponsorship for high-performing employees. This is typically tied to career advancement and strong performance reviews. Check with your recruiter or HR contact for the latest policy details.

 

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