consulting 101

Want to hear about Consulting from a student perspective? Learn more here.

What is consulting?

Consulting is a professional service industry where firms provide expert advice to businesses, governments, and organizations to solve complex problems and improve performance. Consultants work across various industries, helping clients with strategy, operations, technology, and more.

Consultants are responsible for:

  • Analyzing client problems and developing strategic recommendations.

  • Conducting market research and data analysis to support decision-making.

  • Collaborating with stakeholders to implement solutions.

  • Presenting findings through reports and presentations.

A consultant needs to answer questions like: “How can this company improve profitability?” or “What market should this client expand into next?”

Consultants are like doctors for businesses, diagnosing issues, prescribing solutions, and guiding implementation. They work in teams to ensure their recommendations are data-driven and actionable. While consultants don’t run companies directly, they influence strategic decisions at the highest levels.

What type of companies hire consultants?

There are three main types of consulting firms:

  1. Management Consulting Firms

    • Focus: Business strategy, operations, and organizational improvements.

    • Examples: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company (MBB).

  2. Big Four Consulting Firms

    • Focus: Business strategy, technology, financial advisory, and risk management.

    • Examples: Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG

  3. Boutique and Specalized Firms

    • Focus: Niche industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.

    • Examples: LEK Consulting (life sciences), Oliver Wyman (finance), ZS Associates (healthcare).

What Companies Hire the Most Consultants?

  1. Top Consulting Firms

    • MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) -- Prestigious firms focusing on high-impact strategy work.

    • Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) -- Broad consulting services including strategy, risk, and technology.

    • Boutique Firms (LEK, Oliver Wyman, ZS Associates, Roland Berger) -- Industry-focused consulting.

  2. Industry-Specific Consulting Roles

    • Tech Companies: Google, Amazon, Microsoft (internal strategy teams)

    • Finance & PE: Goldman Sachs, Blackstone (strategy division)

    • Healthcare & Pharma: IQVIA, ZS Associates

So I Want to Recruit for Consulting, What’s Next?

Networking & Referrals

  • Consulting firms receive thousands of applications, so referrals improve your chances.

  • Attend coffee chats, alumni panels, and networking events.

Consulting Resume Structure

Your resume should emphasize:

  • Problem-solving and analytical skills – Case competitions, research projects.

  • Leadership and teamwork – Student organizations, internships.

  • Communication and presentation skills – Public speaking, writing experience.

Preparing for Consulting Interviews

Consulting interviews typically consist of behavioral and case interviews.

Behavioral Interviews

  • Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure answers.

  • Common questions:

    • Tell me about a time you worked in a team.

    • Describe a time you solved a difficult problem.

Case Interviews

  • Types of Cases: Market entry, profitability, operations, M&A.

  • Case Frameworks: Profitability, market sizing, business strategy.

  • Practice Resources:

    • Case in Point by Marc Cosentino

    • Victor Cheng’s Case Interview Secrets

    • YouTube case walkthroughs (ex. MBB case prep channels)

Case Interview Preparation Timeline

  • 3+ months before interviews: Learn frameworks and structure, begin live case practice with peers.

  • 1 month before: Conduct mock interviews with alumni and professionals.

What is the recruitment timeline for internships and full time roles?

Recruiting begins in the fall typically for both internships and full time. This is a very rough estimate of a timeline because each year it may change and a lot of companies have different timelines.

  1. Internship Recruitment:

    • Applications Open: August–October.

    • Interviews: October–February.

    • Decisions: November–March.

  2. Full-Time Recruitment:

    • Applications Open: July–November.

    • Interviews: September–February.

    • Decisions: November–April.

Some companies have a second wave of recruitment for internships in January–March. Additionally, timelines in PM notoriously change each year depending on company hiring needs and macroeconomic pressures.

Where can I learn more about Consulting at UCLA?

  1. Bruin Consulting — UCLA’s first and premier consulting organization. We are a student-run management consultancy that works hands-on with clients ranging from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies.

  2. UConsulting — UConsulting is the premier undergraduate student consulting organization at UCLA. Founded on the belief that consulting should be accessible to all, we provide students with intensive training and real-world experience through engagements with Fortune 500 clients, bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and true business experience.

  3. 180 Degrees Consulting — Are you interested in business and passionate about creating social impact? 180 Degrees Consulting provides high-quality, innovative services to socially-conscious organizations in order to develop practical and sustainable solutions to their most pressing challenges. Former and current members have had offers at McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY-Parthenon, Morgan Stanley, Google, Disney, and more.

  4. The Bruin Group — The Bruin Group is an organization of undergraduate student consultants working to provide quality, pro-bono advisory services for our clients. We work with startup and growing companies from a variety of industries, ranging from technology to healthcare to fashion, providing innovative and effective solutions.

  5. Clean Consulting — Clean Consulting empowers and equips companies to pursue sustainable, environmentally, and socially responsible business practices. We envision a future where sustainability is the cornerstone of all business operations, propelling innovation rather than limiting it.

  6. UBS Club Directory — The UBS Club Directory features every consulting club at UCLA.

Consulting is a competitive industry, but with strategic preparation, networking, and structured interview prep, you can land offers from top firms. Good luck!

Contributors: Carrie Su, Angelina Lue