Consulting AI Interview Guide:
How to Land AI Consulting Roles

Consulting interview process: (1) Recruiter/HR screen (30 min) - background and fit, (2) Technical interview (60 min) - coding and system design with consulting lens, (3) Case study interview (60-90 min) - solve a client problem live, (4) Client simulation or presentation (some firms) - present a solution to 'stakeholders,' (5) Partner/senior consultant interview (60 min) - cultural fit and business development potential. Total timeline: 2-4 weeks. Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and boutique firms have slightly different processes.

Case study format: You're given a client scenario and must propose an AI solution. Example: 'A retailer wants to reduce inventory costs using AI. How would you approach this?' Evaluation criteria: (1) Problem structuring—can you break down ambiguous problems?, (2) Technical feasibility—is your solution realistic?, (3) Business alignment—does it solve the actual problem?, (4) Communication—can you explain clearly to non-technical stakeholders?, (5) ROI awareness—can you estimate value delivered? Practice frameworks: problem definition → data assessment → solution design → implementation plan → ROI estimation.

Generally less deep, more broad: (1) Coding—expect easier problems but with emphasis on clean, explainable code, (2) System design—focus on pragmatic solutions, not over-engineered perfection, (3) Breadth—you may need to discuss multiple AI domains (NLP, CV, tabular ML), (4) Practical trade-offs—cost, timeline, and client constraints matter more than optimal solutions, (5) Tool knowledge—familiarity with enterprise tools (Azure, AWS, Databricks) valued. Consulting values 'good enough quickly' over 'perfect eventually.' Show you can deliver practical solutions.

Client skill signals: (1) Clear communication—explain technical concepts in business language during your interview, (2) Executive presence—professional demeanor, confident but not arrogant, (3) Listening—ask clarifying questions before jumping to solutions, (4) Adaptability—show you've worked with diverse stakeholders, (5) Difficult situation handling—share stories of managing challenging client expectations. Practice: present your past projects as if explaining to a CEO who has 5 minutes and no technical background. If you can do this well, you're client-ready.

AI consulting compensation varies by structure: Big 4 employed—$120K-$180K base + bonus for mid-level, $180K-$300K+ for senior/principal. Boutique firms—similar ranges, sometimes higher for specialized AI boutiques. Independent consulting—$150-$250/hour for mid-level, $300-$500/hour for senior experts, potentially $1000+/hour for niche specialties. Utilization expectations: 80-90% billable hours at firms. Travel: varies by firm and client, can be significant. Path to partner typically requires business development (selling new work).

Yes—consulting firms hire from product companies regularly. Emphasize: client-facing experience (even internal stakeholders count), projects delivered under time pressure, business impact of your technical work, communication skills, adaptability to new domains. Avoid: purely technical framing, dismissing 'business people,' inability to simplify concepts. Many successful consultants come from product backgrounds—the key is showing you can translate technical skills into client value.

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.