Hi - I have a final round with PA Consulting and I see that on part will involve role play, this is something I have not yet encountered in other recruitment processes. Is there anything I can really do to practice for this?Also, are there any other tips people can give me for this particular recruitment process? Certain things that PA will look for…Many Thanks in advance :)

Role play?? What is this, primary school?

I didn't make the rules...does anyone have an idea of what to expect?Thanks!

Expect a load of over-enthusiastic and immature grads all scrambling over each other in a desperate attempt to be the leader of the group and to have the best bits to say during the role play.

anon(2) the way it was sold to me was that 'case study and role play' was one task and the 'group exercise' was another task...so I don't think that I will be with other 'immature' grads for the role play - but just myself and a consultant/HR person.So do you or any one else know anymore about this role play? Helpful advice would be great :)

The role play will be a one-on-one with a consultant from the practice you’ve applied to. A group exercise with other candidates is entirely separate.For the role play you’ll be asked to look through a case study for 20 minutes or so after which the interviewer, playing the role of the client, will ask you questions on the approach you would take to tackle the problem. Nothing to worry about as long as you’re structured and justify your reasoning.

Ah no problem, so it is basically just a case study exercise then, that's cool. I have a good idea of how to approach the task from that angle.It was just the mention of 'role play' threw me a bit - but I understand now that you have explained it.Many Thanks!

Which group?My advice is not to join BOP, unless you want to get stuck doing process mapping for some cruddy corner of the public sector. Our two partners are unable to sell anything to the private sector. Still, it IS a leap year, so I'm waiting for BOP to sign a big private sector job at month end.

''BOP-er'' I am going for SMP - do you know how it is going at the moment and its prospects for the near future?Thanks...

What is BOP ? Does anyone know how good is the manufacturing practice ?

BOP is Business Operations and Performance. They mainly do process mapping work for local councils and government QUANGOs. Avoid, unless tedium is your thing !Manufacturing practice is a lot stronger, and are strong in the Automtive sector. They do a lot of work in Germany, so languages would be a benefit

It also sounds to me like the original poster is only through to the penultimate stage if they are doing the 'role-play' exercise. The final round is an interview with a member of PA's Management Group according to their website.

Like BOP, and most parts of PA, SMP is completely sold out at the moment. If you visit their work area on the fourth floor, there is no one around. So, in the positive, there will be plenty of work for you to engage in. The two partners they have are also really nice guys, and good career coaches. Both Steve and Mark are respected and well liked within the company.In the negative, SMP isn’t much better than BOP in terms of the quality of work sold. I have worked with SMP over the past few years, and I’d say that less than 50% of the work they do is strategy based, with almost no marketing work. I can’t think of anyone ever operating a single marketing project. Too much of their work is tedious process review, and they usually end up picking up the sort of roles that a practice like BOP or Government can’t, or won’t, resource.

Meldan, How do you know about the Manufacturing practice ? I heard that PA is working on a supply chain arm ? Do you know anything about this ? I want to apply to PA supply chain.

Frankly, who cares about these tiny practices?