Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and Interviewer

PA Consulting interviews are a bit different from your typical McKinsey, BCG, or Bain interviews. PA Consulting takes a more practical, implementation-focused approach rather than a pure strategy approach.

 

This guide covers everything you need to succeed in your upcoming PA consulting interview, from the application process to final round interviews, with specific insights from candidates who've been through it.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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What is PA Consulting?

 

PA Consulting is a global innovation and transformation consultancy headquartered in London. The firm works across strategy, technology, and operations with a strong focus on bringing practical solutions to life.

 

Unlike pure strategy firms, PA blends strategic thinking with implementation expertise. You'll find them working on everything from digital transformation to public sector efficiency improvements to life sciences innovation.

 

The firm has a particularly strong presence in the UK but also operates across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Their client base spans government, healthcare, energy, financial services, and technology sectors.

 

PA Consulting Interview Process and Timeline

 

The interview process for consulting positions at PA typically takes 4-8 weeks from application to offer. While each candidate's journey is unique, most consulting interviews follow this general structure:

 

1. Online application

 

Browse PA Consulting's consulting vacancies and submit your application through their career portal. You'll create a profile and upload your resume for the recruiting team to review.

 

The team evaluates applications against the specific requirements for each consulting role. If your background aligns with what they're seeking, you'll advance to the next stage.

 

2. Introductory call

 

A member of the recruitment team will call to learn more about your interest in consulting and your background. This is also your opportunity to ask questions about the role, the types of projects you'd work on, and what makes PA's consulting practice distinctive.

 

While conversational in tone, this call matters. It's your first chance to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for consulting at PA specifically.

 

3. Phone and virtual interviews

 

These interviews typically combine behavioral interviews and case interviews. You'll discuss your experience, walk through how you've handled complex situations, and work through a case interview.

 

The behavioral portion focuses on understanding your past experiences and how you work with others. You'll be asked to provide specific examples from your background that demonstrate key consulting skills like problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration.

 

The case portion typically involves analyzing a business scenario or problem. The interviewer will present a situation and ask you to work through it, often in a conversational style. You might need to structure your approach, interpret data, or develop recommendations.

 

These cases are usually less formal than what you'd encounter at MBB firms, with more back-and-forth dialogue.

 

Your recruiter will let you know what to expect for your specific interview, but be prepared for both types of questions.

 

4. Assessment centers

 

For consulting roles, you'll typically attend an assessment center with group exercises that simulate consulting team dynamics and client interactions. This is typically a half-day event with multiple components.

 

• Group exercise: You'll work with other candidates on a business problem or scenario. Assessors watch how you collaborate, contribute ideas, and handle group dynamics.

 

• Individual presentation: You might prepare a presentation in advance or be given time during the assessment center to prepare. The topic will relate to PA's work or a business challenge.

 

• Written exercises: Some assessment centers include a written business analysis or report. You'll be given information and asked to analyze it and make recommendations in writing.

 

5. Final round interviews

 

Your final interview is typically with a Partner or Lead Consultant. This often includes presenting your prepared case study and fielding questions about your analysis and recommendations.

 

You may also have additional conversations with senior consultants to assess cultural fit and discuss the realities of consulting work at PA.

 

6. The decision

 

If you receive an offer, PA will contact you to discuss your start date and onboarding.

 

If you don’t receive an offer, stay connected. Consulting needs evolve, and future opportunities may align better with your skills and interests.

 

What Makes PA Consulting Case Interviews Different

 

PA Consulting case interviews are less rigid than MBB cases. They focus more on practical problem-solving and implementation rather than pure strategy.

 

More conversational format

 

PA cases tend to be more open and conversational than the structured back-and-forth you'd see at McKinsey or BCG. The interviewer will give you space to drive the case and ask questions, but it feels more like a collaborative discussion.

 

The format usually starts interviewer-led but allows you more freedom as you progress. You're expected to proactively suggest next steps and drive the analysis forward.

 

Implementation focus

 

While MBB cases often stop at the recommendation, PA wants to see that you can think through execution. How would you actually implement this solution? What obstacles might you face? What's the timeline?

 

Show that you understand the practical realities of making change happen in organizations. Pure strategic thinking isn't enough.

 

Industry-specific scenarios

 

PA cases are often tied to specific industries where the firm has expertise. You might get public sector efficiency cases, healthcare system improvements, energy transition problems, or technology implementation challenges.

 

The case won't require specialized technical knowledge, but showing awareness of sector-specific trends helps. If you're interviewing for a healthcare role, know something about current challenges in the NHS or life sciences industry.

 

Less emphasis on case math

 

PA cases don't typically involve the rapid-fire mental calculations you'd see in an MBB case. Market sizing might come up, but it won't be the centerpiece of the case.

 

That said, you still need basic numerical comfort. Be ready to interpret data, make reasonable estimates, and support your thinking with numbers.

 

Focus on structured thinking over frameworks

 

PA interviewers care more about clear logical thinking than whether you can deploy a specific framework. They want to see that you can break down complex problems into manageable pieces and prioritize what matters most.

 

Don't try to force a memorized framework onto the problem. Instead, think about what questions need to be answered to solve this specific situation.

 

Common PA Consulting Case Interview Questions

 

Based on interviews with candidates, the four most common types of cases you might encounter are: public sector efficiency, digital transformation, market entry or expansion, and operational improvement.

 

1. Public sector efficiency

 

How would you improve the efficiency of a government healthcare system? A local council wants to reduce costs while maintaining service quality. What would you do?

 

These cases test your ability to balance multiple stakeholder needs while finding practical improvements. Think about processes, technology, workforce, and service delivery.

 

2. Digital transformation

 

A traditional bank wants to modernize its technology infrastructure. What approach would you recommend? How would you help a utility company implement smart grid technology?

 

Focus on both the technical solution and the organizational change required. PA wants to see that you understand technology isn't just about the tools but also about people and processes.

 

3. Market entry or expansion

 

Should this company enter a new market? How should they approach expansion? What are the key risks?

 

These are more traditional strategy cases but with PA's practical twist. Don't just say whether they should enter. Talk about how they would actually do it.

 

4. Operational improvement

 

A manufacturing company has quality control issues. How would you diagnose and fix the problem? A logistics company wants to reduce delivery times. Where would you start?

 

These cases test your ability to work through process issues systematically. Think about data you'd need, analyses you'd run, and how you'd test potential solutions.

 

PA Consulting Behavioral Interview Questions

 

PA puts significant weight on behavioral interviews. They want to understand how you work with others, handle challenges, and approach problems.

 

Common PA Consulting behavioral questions:

 

• Why do you want to work at PA Consulting? What attracts you to PA specifically versus other consulting firms?

 

• Give me an example of a time you solved a difficult problem with incomplete information. How did you approach it?

 

• Tell me about a situation where you disagreed with your team. How did you handle it?

 

• Describe a time you had to work under pressure to meet a tight deadline. What was the outcome?

 

• Have you ever had to influence someone who didn't report to you? What approach did you take?

 

• Walk me through a project you're particularly proud of. What was your specific contribution?

 

How to answer PA Consulting behavioral interview questions

 

1. Be specific with your examples.

 

Don't give generic answers about what you would do in theory. Talk about what you actually did in real situations.

 

2. Quantify your impact whenever possible.

 

How much did costs decrease? By what percentage did efficiency improve? How many people were affected by your work?

 

3. Show awareness of team dynamics.

 

PA values collaboration, so emphasize how you worked with others rather than focusing only on your individual contributions.

 

4. Be honest about challenges and setbacks.

 

It's fine to talk about things that didn't go perfectly as long as you explain what you learned and how you adjusted.

 

How to Prepare for PA Consulting Interviews

 

1. Understand PA's positioning

 

PA isn't trying to be MBB. They position themselves as practical problem-solvers who bring innovation to life. Read their website, understand their recent projects, and be ready to explain why this approach appeals to you.

 

Know what sectors they work in and have a point of view on current challenges in those industries.

 

If you're interviewing for their public sector practice, understand current debates about government service delivery. For life sciences, know about R&D trends and regulatory challenges.

 

2. Practice structured problem-solving

 

You don't need to memorize frameworks, but you do need to practice breaking down ambiguous problems. Take business news articles and practice analyzing them. What's the core issue? What would you need to know to solve it? How would you prioritize different actions?

 

Work through cases from any good case interview prep resource. PA cases aren't wildly different from standard consulting cases. The key is adapting your approach to be more implementation-focused.

 

3. Prepare your stories

 

You'll definitely get behavioral questions, so have 5-6 strong examples ready that demonstrate different qualities. Leadership, problem-solving, handling conflict, working under pressure, influencing others.

 

Make sure your stories have clear outcomes and show real impact. Practice telling them concisely in 3-4 minutes.

 

4. Research current trends

 

PA works at the intersection of strategy, technology, and operations. Stay current on developments in your target sector. Read industry publications, follow relevant thought leaders, and form opinions on major challenges facing organizations today.

 

5. Practice your presentation skills

 

If you reach the final round, you'll need to present your case study clearly and confidently. Practice presenting analysis to friends or family. Get comfortable with slide-based presentations and handling follow-up questions.

 

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