FTI Consulting Interview: How to Prepare and What to Expect

If you're preparing for an FTI Consulting interview, understanding the structure, expectations, and question types is critical to your success. The process typically involves both behavioral and case interviews designed to assess your communication, problem-solving, and cultural fit. Knowing what’s ahead will help you prepare confidently and stand out as a candidate.

In this article, we will explore the different stages of the FTI Consulting interview process, how to prepare for each one, and what kinds of questions you can expect.

What different interview stages can you expect in an FTI Consulting interview?

FTI Consulting interviews typically include a first-round behavioral interview followed by multiple second-round case and fit interviews, sometimes with a networking component. Each stage is designed to assess a different aspect of your fit and capabilities.

The FTI Consulting interview process usually consists of two key rounds:

First Round: Behavioral Screening

• Typically one video or phone interview
• Lasts around 30 to 60 minutes
• Focused on behavioral and fit questions such as:
  • "Why FTI Consulting?"
  • "Walk me through your resume"
  • "Tell me about a time you worked in a team"
• This round evaluates your communication skills, past experiences, and motivation for joining FTI

Second Round: Case and Fit Interviews

• Involves 3 to 6 back-to-back interviews, often on-site
• Combines case interviews with behavioral questions
• May include a group lunch, dinner, or informal chat with consultants
• Focuses on your structured thinking, problem-solving ability, and how well you align with FTI Consulting’s values

Other Possible Components

• Some roles may include a written exercise, short technical assessment, or analytical test
• You might meet consultants across multiple segments like Corporate Finance or Forensic and Litigation Consulting
• In global offices, HireVue or asynchronous video screening may be part of early rounds

Understanding each step in advance allows you to tailor your preparation effectively and build confidence going into each stage.

How should you prepare for FTI Consulting case interviews?

To prepare for an FTI Consulting case interview, you should master candidate-led case frameworks, practice quantitative and qualitative analysis, and refine your ability to communicate recommendations clearly. FTI uses business cases that test real-world problem-solving under time pressure.

FTI Consulting case interviews are candidate-led, meaning you’ll be expected to drive the discussion, structure the problem, and guide the flow of the interview. Here’s how to prepare effectively:

1. Understand the Case Format

• Most cases are 30 to 45 minutes long
• You’ll receive a business scenario and must identify key issues
• Interviews simulate real consulting problems (e.g. pricing, profitability, strategy)

2. Practice Structured Problem-Solving

• Learn to develop flexible but structured case interview frameworks
• Practice breaking down ambiguous problems into logical buckets (e.g. revenue vs. cost, internal vs. external)
• Use common structures but adapt them to the specific industry or function

3. Sharpen Quantitative Skills

• Expect mental math, data interpretation, and basic calculations
• Always explain your assumptions before solving
• Walk the interviewer through each step of your approach clearly

4. Improve Qualitative Thinking

• Be ready to discuss strategic options, risks, or stakeholder perspectives
• Structure answers to open-ended questions using MECE logic or 2x2 frameworks

5. Simulate Full Practice Cases

• Work through full case examples that reflect the FTI Consulting interview style
• Consider partnering with a peer or using mock interviews with feedback

6. Focus on Communication and Recommendations

• End your case with a clear, concise recommendation
• Support your recommendation with 2 to 3 logical points
• Be ready to explain next steps or what data you would explore with more time

What are common behavioral and fit questions asked in FTI Consulting interviews?

FTI Consulting behavioral interviews focus on evaluating your past experiences, leadership, problem-solving, and cultural fit through structured, open-ended questions. These are often asked using the STAR method and are a key part of both first and second-round interviews.

You should expect a mix of personal, situational, and firm-specific questions. Here are the most common types:

1. Personal Fit Questions

• Why FTI Consulting?
• Why consulting instead of another industry?
• Walk me through your resume

2. Leadership and Teamwork

• Tell me about a time you led a team
• Describe a time you had a conflict with a teammate and how you resolved it
• Share an example of how you motivated others toward a goal

3. Problem-Solving and Resilience

• Give an example of a challenging problem you solved
• Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned
• Describe a time when you made a difficult decision

4. Persuasion and Communication

• Talk about a time you had to convince someone of your point of view
• Describe a time when you adapted your communication style to influence a decision

5. Extra Insights Interviewers May Look For

• Depth of reflection: Do you show self-awareness and learning?
• Clarity and structure: Do you answer with a logical flow (e.g. STAR)?
• Value alignment: Do your experiences reflect FTI’s focus on integrity, impact, and teamwork?

Pro Tip: Prepare 4-5 stories in advance that you can adapt to multiple behavioral questions. Practice answering out loud using clear structure and concise language.

What online assessments and screening formats does FTI use?

FTI Consulting may include online assessments such as numerical reasoning, verbal analysis, and video-based screening during early interview stages. These help evaluate communication skills, analytical thinking, and basic business acumen before advancing candidates to live interviews.

While not all roles involve assessments, many entry-level and analyst positions include at least one of the following:

1. Numerical and Verbal Reasoning Tests

• Often used to assess your ability to interpret charts, graphs, and written business scenarios
• Typically timed (20 to 30 minutes)
• May be delivered via third-party platforms (e.g. SHL, HireVue with assessments)

2. Video or On-Demand Interviews

• Asynchronous recordings where you respond to pre-set behavioral questions
• Questions may include:
  • “Why are you interested in consulting?”
  • “Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge”
• Expect 30 to 60 seconds to prepare and 2 to 3 minutes to answer

3. Technical or Writing Exercises

• Some roles may require brief writing prompts or business memos
• Common for forensic, legal, or restructuring positions

4. Initial Recruiter Screen

• Sometimes combined with assessment results
• Focuses on verifying resume details, motivation for FTI Consulting, and availability

Tips to Prepare:

• Use practice tests (e.g. SHL-style) to improve speed and accuracy
• Record yourself answering mock behavioral questions to improve delivery
• Research the specific demands of your target role – corporate finance vs. economic consulting assessments may differ

How can you tailor your application and prep to FTI Consulting’s values and segments?

To tailor your preparation for FTI Consulting, align your resume, interview answers, and case approach with the firm’s core values and specialized practice areas like Corporate Finance, Forensic Consulting, and Strategic Communications. Understanding what FTI prioritizes helps you stand out as a strong cultural and functional fit.

FTI Consulting is known for its deep expertise in complex problem-solving across five primary segments:

• Corporate Finance and Restructuring
• Forensic and Litigation Consulting
• Economic Consulting
• Strategic Communications
• Technology

Here’s how to tailor your prep effectively:

1. Understand the Practice Area You're Applying To

• Review FTI’s careers site to learn how each segment operates
• Customize your examples and stories to highlight relevant skills

2. Incorporate FTI's Core Values

FTI emphasizes:

• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Excellence
• Respect
• Accountability

Use these values as themes in your STAR responses.

3. Mention FTI-Specific Motivations

• Interest in working on high-stakes client issues
• Appreciation for entrepreneurial culture in a non-MBB firm
• Opportunities to specialize early in technical segments

4. Refine Your Resume to Highlight Fit

• Quantify your results where possible
• Use language that mirrors the job description
• Tailor bullets to reflect project-based work, client exposure, or analysis-driven roles

What case interview examples illustrate the FTI Consulting format?

FTI Consulting case interviews often involve market sizing, pricing strategy, profitability, and industry-specific challenges. Practicing real examples helps you get comfortable with the case style, which is typically candidate-led and focused on structured business thinking.

Below are example case types you might encounter during an FTI Consulting interview:

1. Profitability Case: Rice Cakes

Prompt: Quaker, a market leader in rice cakes, wants to improve profitability. Should they raise or lower prices?

2. Strategic Decision: Satellite Sale

Prompt: SpaceX owns a satellite and has received a $20 million offer to sell it. Should they accept?

3. Competitive Threat: Hardware Stores

Prompt: ACE Hardware faces increased competition from Home Depot. How should it respond?

4. Compensation Strategy: Law Firm Salaries

Prompt: A global law firm pays new attorneys $190,000. Is this compensation sustainable?

5. Regulatory and Legal Risk: Chip Price Fixing

Prompt: European regulators fined chip makers for price manipulation. How much should they pay?

6. Turnaround Strategy: Aluminum Mining

Prompt: A global aluminum firm has declining margins despite competitive unit costs. How can it improve performance?

Tips for Using These Examples in Prep:

• Practice structuring each problem out loud
• Use common frameworks (profitability, 4Cs, value chain) and adapt them
• Build hypotheses early and test them with each new data point

Preparing for an FTI Consulting interview requires more than just case practice, it demands targeted preparation that aligns with the firm's unique structure, values, and client focus. By following the strategies in this guide and practicing intentionally, you’ll set yourself apart as a well-prepared, high-potential candidate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the culture like at FTI Consulting?
A: The culture at FTI Consulting is collaborative, client-focused, and values-driven. Employees often highlight teamwork, problem-solving skills, and respect for diverse perspectives as core parts of the work environment.

Q: What is the acceptance rate for FTI Consulting?
A: The acceptance rate for FTI Consulting is low, reflecting its selective recruitment. Success requires thorough preparation for the FTI Consulting case interview, strong fit questions responses, and proven problem-solving skills.

Q: What GPA do you need for FTI Consulting?
A: FTI Consulting typically looks for a GPA of 3.5 or higher, though strong interview performance can offset slightly lower grades. Emphasizing relevant experience and preparing well for the interview structure can boost your chances.

Q: What is the controversy with FTI Consulting?
A: The controversy with FTI Consulting refers to past media coverage on specific client work and industry practices. While these cases vary, they have not significantly impacted the firm’s ongoing consulting services or recruitment process.

Q: Does FTI pay for MBA?
A: Yes, in some cases, FTI Consulting offers MBA sponsorship for high-performing employees. This is often linked to career advancement and contingent on strong performance reviews and alignment with the firm’s consulting values.