Hi,I have searched previous threads, but could not find a good explanation of the 1st round case study for Accenture. Can anyone explain in more detail the structure, length, task and questions of the case study?I will post my experience after the interview.ThanksPoncho

You get a paragraph describing a scenario and then have to answer questions on it with no preparation. It'll be something business related but aside from that there's nothing else to it. And yes, it is completely unrealistic and as tosh as it sounds, but that's Acn recruitment for you!

AnonThanks for your replay. What questions did they ask you in relation to the case study?ThanksPoncho

Not sure if it will depend on what department you've applied to mate, I was going for IT role. Paragraph was about a plumbing business and how it was dealing with treating reported leaks etc. Had to analyse the current way of doing things (people phone up and leave a message, then lady phoned round each plumber to check workload and skills to see if they could do task and so on), and then suggest ways of improving it and the benefits. Obviously, talking about database, website, KPI's, improving efficiency, reducing costs and response times and so on... The problem you will face is so obvious, anyone with a little bit of common sense could answer! Dont be afraid, take a deep breath and just make sure you give a structure answer. Relate it to the sort of work Accenture carries out and you'll be fine.

Sutherland. Any general tips on the interview.Poncho.

Poncho, Making sure you are prepared is probably the best tip I can give. Think about examples when you have shown team working, time management and the other soft skills that the company looks for. They'll ask when you had to work to deadlines, perhaps when you faced a new unexpected situation and generic questions to see if you are capable of working for them. You wouldn't have an interview if they weren't interested in your abilities, it is an opportunity to sell yourself, to backup and expand on the details in your application. Think what it takes to be a consultant - be friendly, make a good first impression, be able to articulate experiences simply enough that an HR person can understand, be confident - no ummmm's or aaaaaah's when answering questions, plenty of eye contact etc etc etcLastly, dont build it up, wont help getting more flustered. If you know your stuff about the firm, competitors and consulting in general it should be a breeze. Good luck.

In my first round for a position in SI - which was by phone, about 3 years ago now - the 'case study' was something to the effect of:"Imagine an airline contacts accenture asking for help with their business; what can accenture do for them"I just thought about the services accenture offer (outsourcing, technology...) and in which areas (supply chain...), then tried to put these into context of the air travel industry.The second round was where we did a true case study whereby we were presented with reams of financial data, interview transcripts and so on then asked to diagnose the key issues, potential remedies and so on

When asked 'if I have applied to other companies' what is the best answer for that question? And why is it asked?Any HR or people with recruitment experience out there that can help?Poncho

When I was asked that, i said yes and listed the other firms. Nothing more was asked about it and I got the job. Perhaps if they think you are a decent candidate and there is a chance they might lose you to a competitor, it's additional motivation for them to take you on?

I agree with anon, it is acceptable to say you are interviewing with other firms. Even if it is just down to showing that you are interested in consulting in general and, forgive the cliche, but not putting all your eggs in one basket... I do not believe that they expect you to be blinkered on thinking that ACN is the only consulting firm out there, that comes during the training!!

when i interviewed i said i had applied to 3 other consulting firms and named them. i think the idea is to show that you are committed to getting a job (applying to a number of firms) but also to working in consulting