Why Consulting? Best Answers for Your Interview
Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer
Last Updated: June 14, 2026
Why consulting is the most common behavioral interview question at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and every other consulting firm, and the best answers pair three genuine reasons with personal evidence in a structured 60 to 90 second response. This guide gives you the 14 strongest reasons to use, 6 answers to avoid, a proven 3-part structure, word-for-word examples, and the follow-up questions interviewers ask next.
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Key Takeaways
The best answer to "why consulting" states that consulting is your top career choice, gives three genuine reasons backed by personal experiences, and closes with a clear summary in 60 to 90 seconds.
- Interviewers ask this question in virtually every consulting interview, usually within the first few minutes
- Your answer is judged on four things: understanding of the job, structured thinking, communication, and genuine enthusiasm
- Lead with intrinsic motivations like problem solving and skill development, never money, prestige, or exit options
- Tie each reason to a specific experience from your background, since generic reasons are forgotten immediately
- Expect follow-up questions that probe your reasons, and prepare short answers for each one in advance
What Changed in 2026?
This guide now includes 2026 compensation figures, a new section on the follow-up questions interviewers ask after your answer, and a weak-to-strong answer makeover you can model. I also added guidance on the other places you will need a "why consulting" answer, including cover letters and networking conversations.
Why Is the "Why Consulting" Question So Important?
The "why consulting" question is important because it is asked in virtually 100% of consulting interviews, it is usually the first question you face, and your answer shapes the interviewer's first impression. Most interviewers form their initial read on a candidate within the first 10 to 15 minutes, so a strong answer sets up everything that follows.
It is usually the very first question of the consulting fit interview, before the case begins. That timing is exactly why it matters so much.
Candidates spend hundreds of hours preparing for case interviews, but most spend less than 10 minutes preparing for this question. That is a huge missed opportunity. It is often the opening question of consulting first round interviews and final rounds alike.
Do the math on how often you will answer it. If you interview with 10 firms that each run two rounds with two interviewers, that is 40 separate interviews. If just half of your interviewers ask this question, you will answer it 20 times.
Investing even 30 minutes to craft a strong answer gives you a meaningful edge over candidates who wing it. In my experience coaching candidates, those who prepare a structured, genuine answer consistently outperform those who treat it as a throwaway.
What Are Interviewers Really Looking For?
Interviewers use the "why consulting" question to assess four things: your understanding of the job, your structured thinking, your communication skills, and your genuine enthusiasm. A strong answer hits all four. A weak answer misses at least one.
Do You Understand What Consultants Actually Do?
Interviewers want to know that you understand what consultants do on a day-to-day basis. Consulting is one of the most popular career paths among undergrads and MBAs. At top schools, roughly 20% to 30% of each graduating class applies to consulting firms.
Many of these applicants apply because consulting is easy to apply to (usually just a resume) or because they are unsure what they want to do. Interviewers need to quickly separate candidates who understand and want the job from those who applied on a whim.
Your answer needs to show that you know the reality of the role: working on teams to solve hard business problems for clients across industries, presenting recommendations to senior executives, and delivering measurable results. If your mental picture of the job comes only from prestige rankings, study the day in the life of a management consultant before your interview.
Can You Think and Communicate in a Structured Way?
Structured thinking is the core skill of a consultant. Interviewers assess it in case interviews, but they also look for it in your behavioral answers. If your case performance is structured but your answer to "why consulting" is rambling and disorganized, that raises a red flag.
A well-organized answer signals that you naturally think in a clear, logical way. Interviewers will also ask themselves whether they can picture you presenting to a client. If you cannot clearly explain your own motivations, they will doubt you can explain a recommendation to a CEO.
Are You Genuinely Enthusiastic About Consulting?
Enthusiasm matters more than most candidates realize. Interviewers want to see a spark when you talk about consulting. They want to see energy in your voice and a smile on your face.
This is not about being fake or over-the-top. It is about genuinely conveying that consulting excites you. Enthusiasm signals that you will work hard and stay engaged, even during the tough weeks of long hours and demanding client work.
Will You Stay Long Enough to Justify the Investment?
Training a new consultant costs firms significant time and money. It takes roughly 6 to 12 months before a new hire becomes fully productive. If someone leaves after 6 months, that is a net loss for the firm.
Interviewers use this question to gauge whether you will stay for at least 2 to 3 years. Candidates who cite genuine, intrinsic motivations (solving problems, working with teams, building skills) tend to stay longer than those motivated primarily by pay or exit options.
What Are the Best Reasons to Give for "Why Consulting"?
The best reasons for why consulting combine genuine personal motivation with a clear understanding of what the job offers. Pick three reasons that match your actual experiences and goals. Here are 14 strong reasons to choose from:
- You want to make a significant impact by working with executives at billion-dollar companies on their most challenging business problems
- You enjoy the variety of solving business problems across multiple industries and functions
- You see consulting as the fastest way to build a strong toolkit of both hard skills and soft skills to become a business leader
- You see consulting as the best training ground to eventually start your own company
- You enjoy working closely with teams on tough, intellectually stimulating challenges
- You want an insider view of how large companies are run and operated at the highest levels
- You want to develop deep knowledge and expertise in a particular industry or function
- Working across industries will help you narrow down your interests and decide on a long-term career path
- You value the significant mentorship and personal development that consulting firms provide
- Consulting offers the opportunity to manage others and lead teams at a relatively early career stage
- You find excitement in serving clients and delivering tangible value to their businesses
- You are excited to travel and work in different locations around the world
- You do not have a traditional business background and see consulting as the best path to transition into a business role
- You enjoy working with and learning from exceptionally bright and driven people
The strongest answers personalize these reasons. Do not just list generic motivations. Tie each reason to a specific experience from your academic or professional life that shaped why you value that particular aspect of consulting.
What Reasons Should You Avoid?
Some reasons for wanting consulting, while honest, will hurt you in an interview. These signal to the interviewer that you are interested in consulting for the wrong reasons. Here are 6 answers you should never give:
Bad reason |
Why it fails |
You want to earn a lot of money |
Signals you will leave for the next highest-paying opportunity. Firms know candidates motivated primarily by money rarely last more than a year. |
You want a prestigious brand name on your resume |
Tells the interviewer you see the firm as a stepping stone, not a destination. They will question your engagement and commitment. |
You want the firm to sponsor your MBA |
Many firms do sponsor graduate school, but leading with this says your primary interest is the benefit, not the work itself. |
You want access to exit opportunities |
Exit options are a real perk, but mentioning them tells the interviewer you are already planning to leave. |
You enjoy traveling, nice hotels, and fancy meals |
Makes you sound more interested in the perks than in the actual work of solving client problems. |
You are unsure what to do, so consulting seems safe |
The most common honest reason, but it signals low commitment. Interviewers want people actively choosing consulting, not defaulting to it. |
To be clear, many of these are real reasons people go into consulting. There is nothing wrong with privately valuing strong pay or the consulting exit opportunities that come after 2 to 3 years. You just should not lead with them in an interview.
Weighing the pros and cons of consulting honestly is exactly what you should do before deciding to recruit. The interview is simply not the place to share the extrinsic half of that analysis.
How Should You Structure Your "Why Consulting" Answer?
The best "why consulting" answers follow a simple three-part structure. This mirrors how consultants communicate: lead with the conclusion, support it with evidence, and close with a clear summary. In my experience, candidates who use this structure consistently score higher than those who ramble.
-
Opening statement: state clearly that consulting is your top career choice. This immediately tells the interviewer you are committed and focused
-
Three reasons with personal evidence: give three specific reasons why consulting appeals to you, and briefly connect each one to a real experience from your background. This is what separates a great answer from a generic one
- Closing statement: reiterate that consulting is the best fit for your professional goals. This bookends your answer and leaves the interviewer with a clear takeaway
Your entire answer should take 60 to 90 seconds. Anything shorter feels underprepared. Anything longer risks losing the interviewer's attention.
If you want a structured way to prepare for this and every other behavioral question, my fit interview course covers 98% of the questions you could be asked in about 3 hours.
What Does a Great "Why Consulting" Answer Sound Like?
Below are three word-for-word example answers tailored to the most common candidate profiles: undergrads, MBAs, and career changers. Use these as inspiration to craft your own personalized answer. Do not copy them word-for-word.
Example Answer for Undergraduate Candidates
"Consulting is my top career choice for three reasons.
First, I want to work with executives at major companies on their toughest business problems. During my internship at a Fortune 500 retailer, I helped the strategy team analyze a market entry decision, and I realized that the work consultants do is exactly what energized me most.
Second, I thrive on variety. I loved that my economics coursework took me from healthcare policy to tech industry dynamics in the same semester, and consulting offers that same diversity in a professional setting.
Third, I want to build a strong foundation of business skills early in my career. Consulting is widely recognized as one of the fastest ways to develop structured problem solving, client management, and analytical skills that transfer to any future role.
For these reasons, I believe no other career path fits my goals as well as consulting."
Why this works: it follows the three-part structure, includes personal evidence (the internship, the coursework), and avoids generic filler. The answer takes about 50 seconds to deliver.
Example Answer for MBA Candidates
"Consulting is my top career choice for three reasons.
First, in my previous role leading operations at a mid-size manufacturing firm, I often wished I could bring in outside expertise to solve cross-functional problems faster. Consulting lets me be that outside expert for multiple companies.
Second, I want to deepen my knowledge in supply chain strategy. Consulting offers the chance to work on dozens of supply chain projects across industries in just a few years, which would take decades to see in a single company.
Third, I value the mentorship and feedback culture that top consulting firms are known for. At my previous company, formal reviews happened once a year. Consulting firms provide detailed performance feedback after every single engagement. That kind of rapid development is exactly what I am looking for at this stage of my career.
Consulting is the best fit for where I want to go professionally."
Why this works: it connects each reason to specific professional experiences, demonstrates real knowledge of how consulting works (project-based feedback cycles), and shows a clear career direction.
Example Answer for Career Changers
"Consulting is my top career choice for three reasons.
First, after six years in software engineering, I have developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills, but I want to apply them to broader business challenges rather than purely technical ones. Consulting is the best bridge between my technical background and a business leadership career.
Second, I want exposure to multiple industries. As an engineer, I only saw the tech sector. Consulting will give me the chance to work across healthcare, financial services, and consumer goods, which will help me decide where to focus long-term.
Third, I am drawn to the collaborative, team-based nature of consulting. The projects I enjoyed most as an engineer were the ones where I worked cross-functionally with product managers, designers, and executives. Consulting is built around that kind of collaboration.
I am confident that consulting is the right next step for my career."
Why this works: it directly addresses the "why leave your current field" concern that interviewers will have. It frames the career change as a deliberate, well-considered decision rather than running away from something.
How Do You Turn a Weak Answer Into a Strong One?
The fastest way to improve your answer is to see what a weak one looks like and fix it piece by piece. Below is a typical unprepared answer, followed by a rewrite that applies the three-part structure.
Weak answer: "That's a good question. I guess I've always liked solving problems, and in college I took a lot of different classes and liked all of them. A friend of mine is a consultant and she really likes it, so I started looking into it. It seems like a great way to keep my options open and figure out what I want to do."
This answer fails on every dimension interviewers care about. There is no opening statement, the reasons are vague, the only evidence is secondhand (a friend's opinion), and "keeping options open" signals the candidate is defaulting to consulting rather than choosing it.
Strong rewrite: "Consulting is my top career choice for three reasons. First, I love solving open-ended problems: in my senior thesis, I built a pricing model for a local restaurant group and presenting my recommendation to the owners was the highlight of my year. Second, I want variety, and the breadth of my coursework showed me I do my best work when I am switching between very different problems. Third, conversations with three consultants in my network confirmed that the team-based, feedback-heavy environment is where I learn fastest. That is why consulting is the clear best fit for my goals."
Notice what changed. The same raw material (liking problems, varied classes, a friend in consulting) became specific, evidence-backed, and structured. You do not need different experiences to give a better answer: you need to package the experiences you already have.
How Should You Deliver Your Answer?
Great content and structure are not enough. You also need to deliver your answer well. In my experience interviewing candidates at Bain, the difference between a good answer and a great answer almost always came down to delivery.
Tip #1: Only give reasons you actually believe
When people are not telling the truth, their body language and voice change. Interviewers can detect when a candidate is reciting generic reasons they found online. If you genuinely do not care about working with teams, do not list it as a reason.
Tip #2: Show enthusiasm through energy
This does not mean being loud or over-the-top. It means speaking with energy, making eye contact, and showing that consulting excites you. If you are naturally reserved, push yourself slightly beyond your comfort zone to match the energy level interviewers expect.
Tip #3: Practice, but do not memorize word-for-word
Practice your answer 5 to 10 times in front of a mirror or with a friend. This eliminates stuttering and hesitation. But do not memorize every word, since over-rehearsed answers sound robotic and undermine your credibility.
You should know your three reasons and the general flow. The exact wording should feel natural each time.
If you want personalized feedback on your delivery, my 1-on-1 coaching helps you improve roughly 5x faster than solo practice. I can tell you exactly where your answer is strong and where it needs work.
What Follow-Up Questions Should You Expect?
Your opening answer is rarely the end of the conversation. Strong interviewers probe your reasons with follow-up questions, and an unprepared follow-up answer can undo a polished opening. Here are the most common follow-ups and how to handle each one:
Follow-up question |
What it tests |
How to handle it |
"Which of those reasons matters most to you?" |
Whether your reasons are genuine or recited |
Pick one instantly and go one level deeper with a second story or detail you did not use in your opening answer. |
"What concerns you about consulting?" |
Self-awareness and realistic expectations |
Name one real tradeoff (such as travel or hours) and explain why the upside outweighs it for you. Never say "nothing." |
"Why consulting over your current field?" |
Whether you are running toward consulting or away from your job |
Frame it as what consulting adds, not what your current role lacks. Speak positively about your current employer. |
"Tell me about a time you did consulting-like work" |
Proof that your interest is grounded in experience |
Have one structured story ready where you solved an ambiguous problem, worked with a team, and delivered a result. |
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" |
Commitment and retention risk |
Describe growing within consulting (leading teams, building expertise) rather than naming an exit destination. |
The pattern across all five follow-ups is the same. Interviewers are stress-testing whether your stated reasons hold up under one more layer of questioning. Prepare a 30 to 60 second answer for each follow-up before your interview, and you will handle this stage better than the large majority of candidates.
What Variations of "Why Consulting" Might You Hear?
Interviewers do not always use the exact words "why consulting." You may hear several different phrasings that all test the same thing. Here are the most common versions:
Question variation |
How to adapt your answer |
"What attracts you to consulting?" |
Use your standard 3-part answer. This is the most direct synonym. |
"Why do you want to be a consultant?" |
Same core answer, but make sure at least one reason speaks to the daily work of the role, not just the industry. |
"Why consulting over investment banking?" |
Emphasize collaboration, variety of problems, and client impact. Contrast with the transaction-focused nature of banking. |
"Why consulting instead of tech or startups?" |
Highlight exposure to multiple industries, structured skill development, and working with senior executives across sectors. |
"Why consulting over staying in your current role?" |
Explain what consulting offers that your current role cannot: broader impact, faster learning, cross-industry exposure. |
"What do you find most exciting about consulting?" |
Pick your single strongest reason and go deeper with a personal story. Keep the other two reasons brief. |
The key insight is that your core answer stays the same. You are just adjusting the emphasis based on the specific question. If you are asked to compare careers, knowing the real differences between consulting vs investment banking lets you draw the contrast with specifics instead of cliches.
What Are the Most Common "Why Consulting" Mistakes?
Having interviewed hundreds of candidates, I have seen the same mistakes over and over. Avoiding these will immediately put you ahead of most applicants.
Mistake |
Why it fails |
What to do instead |
Giving generic reasons |
"I like problem solving" could apply to any job. It tells the interviewer nothing specific about you or consulting. |
Tie each reason to a specific personal experience that shows why consulting specifically appeals to you. |
Listing reasons without evidence |
A list of reasons without stories feels hollow and rehearsed. Interviewers want motivations rooted in real experiences. |
For each reason, include a 1 to 2 sentence example from your background. |
Talking too long |
Answers over 2 minutes lose the interviewer's attention and suggest you cannot communicate concisely. |
Keep your answer to 60 to 90 seconds. Practice with a timer. |
Mentioning money or prestige first |
Signals you are motivated by external rewards rather than the actual work of consulting. |
Lead with intrinsic motivations. If you value pay, that is fine, just do not say it in the interview. |
Sounding overly rehearsed |
Word-for-word memorization makes you seem robotic and insincere. |
Memorize your 3 key reasons and supporting examples, not the exact words. |
Not preparing for follow-ups |
A polished opening followed by a stumbling follow-up answer reads as rehearsed rather than genuine. |
Prepare short answers to the 5 common follow-up questions covered above. |
How Does "Why Consulting" Differ from "Why This Firm"?
Many candidates confuse these two questions, but they test different things. "Why consulting" asks why you want to work in the consulting industry, while "why this firm" asks why you want to work at that specific company. You need separate answers for each.
Your "why consulting" answer should focus on the nature of consulting work itself: the problem solving, the variety, the team environment, the skill development. This answer stays roughly the same no matter which firm you are interviewing with.
Your "why this firm" answer should focus on what makes that specific firm unique: its culture, its industry focus areas, specific people you have met, or its approach to staffing and training. The bar is highest at the top firms, so a question like why McKinsey deserves its own dedicated preparation.
Here is a simple test. If your answer to "why McKinsey" could also work for "why BCG," it is not specific enough. Mentioning a conversation with a current consultant at that firm is one of the strongest ways to personalize this answer.
Firms also tell you what they value, and your answers should reflect it. McKinsey's interview guidance asks candidates to prepare personal examples showing personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, inclusive leadership, and problem solving.
Where Else Will You Need a "Why Consulting" Answer?
The interview is not the only place this question shows up. You will need a version of your answer at three other points in the recruiting process, and a consistent story across all of them strengthens your candidacy.
The first is your written application. A strong consulting cover letter compresses your three reasons into a paragraph, and some online applications ask the question directly in a short-answer field.
The second is networking. Consultants you meet at consulting coffee chats and info sessions will ask why you are interested, and their impression of your answer can influence whether they refer you.
The third is informational interviews, where a thoughtful answer signals you are worth a consultant's time and advice. In every one of these settings, a 30-second spoken version of your structured answer works well.
Mastering why consulting comes down to one action: pick three genuine reasons, attach a real experience to each, and practice delivering them in 60 to 90 seconds until the structure feels natural. Do that this week, before your next interview or networking conversation, and you will be ahead of the large majority of candidates who never prepare this question at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should your "why consulting" answer be?
Your answer should be 60 to 90 seconds long. That is enough time for an opening statement, three reasons with brief personal evidence, and a closing statement. Anything under 30 seconds feels unprepared. Anything over 2 minutes risks losing the interviewer's attention.
Should you mention compensation as a reason for consulting?
No. Consulting pay is strong, with 2026 published offer data showing first-year total compensation around $140,000 for undergraduate hires at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. The full MBA consulting salary package reaches $250,000 to $285,000, but mentioning money in your answer signals you care more about the paycheck than the work.
Can you use the same answer for every firm?
Yes, your core "why consulting" answer can stay the same across firms because the question is about the industry, not the specific company. Be ready for the follow-up "why this firm" question, which requires a unique answer for each firm. Your tell me about yourself answer should also stay consistent with the reasons you give here.
What if you genuinely do not know why you want consulting?
Spend time researching the career before your interview. Talk to current consultants, read about the day-to-day work, and attend info sessions. You need at least three genuine reasons before you interview. If you cannot find them, consulting may not be the right fit for you right now, and that is okay.
When in the interview is "why consulting" typically asked?
This question is almost always asked at the beginning of the interview, before the case starts. It is part of the behavioral or fit portion. At McKinsey, it typically comes up around the McKinsey PEI. At BCG and Bain, it usually appears in the first 5 to 10 minutes.
What follow-up questions come after "why consulting"?
Common follow-ups include which of your reasons matters most, what concerns you about consulting, why consulting over your current field, and requests for a story that proves one of your reasons. Prepare a 30 to 60 second answer for each so a strong opening answer is not undone by a weak follow-up.
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