20 Ankura Interview Questions and Answers

Ankura is a business advisory and expert services firm that provides critical and strategic advice to clients in a variety of industries. The company has a team of experienced consultants who have a deep understanding of the challenges businesses face.

Ankura is known for its rigorous interview process, which is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge and skills. The company often asks questions that are specific to its business, so it’s important to be prepared before your interview.

In this article, we’ll provide some tips on how to prepare for an Ankura interview, as well as some sample questions that you may be asked.

Ankura Interview Process

The interview process at Ankura can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screening interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may be asked to complete a case study or take an online test. The interview process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

1. How has your past experience prepared you for this role?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your qualifications and how you’ve used them to succeed in previous roles. Use examples from your resume or cover letter to highlight skills that are relevant to this role, such as communication, problem-solving or leadership abilities.

Example: “My past experience has helped me develop my organizational and time management skills, which I use daily at Ankura Consulting Group. In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of five employees who were tasked with creating marketing campaigns for clients. I developed an efficient system where each employee could complete their tasks while also providing support to one another when needed.”

2. What do you think are traits of a good consultant?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. When answering, think about what makes you successful as a consultant and relate that back to the job description.

Example: “I believe a good consultant should be able to listen well and ask questions when they don’t understand something. I also think it’s important to have an open mind and be willing to try new things. As a consultant, you’re often working with clients who are in different industries or at different stages of their business development. Having an open mind allows me to learn from them and implement those lessons into my own work.”

3. Do you have any programming or technical skills?

Ankura Consulting Group works with clients to develop and implement technology solutions. The company wants to know if you have any programming or technical skills that can help them provide their services. If you do, mention the specific skills you have. If you don’t, let the interviewer know what other types of skills you have that are helpful in this role.

Example: “I have some basic coding knowledge. I took a few classes in college where we learned HTML and CSS. I also have experience using Microsoft Office programs like Excel and Powerpoint. These skills would be beneficial for working at Ankura Consulting Group because they allow me to understand how to use software applications to solve business problems.”

4. Tell me about a time where you had to adapt to change in the workplace, how did you manage it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your adaptability and flexibility in the workplace. This is because adapting to change can be a challenge for some people, so it’s important that you show how you’ve overcome challenges like these in the past.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant at a small business, I had to adapt to changes quite often. For example, when our company hired new employees, we would have to update our payroll system to accommodate their unique information. In addition, sometimes there were unexpected changes in client requirements or financial reporting standards, which required me to make adjustments to our accounting processes.”

5. Describe a situation where you disagreed with your manager’s decision. How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to think critically. Use examples from previous work experiences where you disagreed with a manager’s decision but still completed the task or project successfully.

Example: “In my last role, I disagreed with my manager’s decision to hire someone who didn’t have experience in our industry. However, I understood that hiring new employees was part of my job as an HR specialist. Instead of voicing my concerns to my manager, I spoke with the employee about their qualifications for the position and offered them training opportunities within the company. After several weeks, they were able to complete tasks independently.”

6. Are you comfortable working on multiple projects at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the ability to multitask and prioritize your work. Use examples from previous experience where you successfully worked on multiple projects at once, prioritized tasks and met deadlines.

Example: “In my current role as a business analyst for a software company, I am responsible for managing multiple projects at once. For example, last month I was working on three different projects that required me to analyze data, create reports and develop strategies for clients. While this may seem like a lot of work, I find it easy to manage multiple projects because I’m able to use my organizational skills to stay on top of all my responsibilities.”

7. Why do you want to work at Ankura Consulting Group?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know that you’ve done some research on the organization and have an idea of what they do. When preparing for this question, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly. Look at the skills they’re looking for and try to relate them back to your own experience and qualifications.

Example: “I’m very interested in working for Ankura Consulting Group because I see myself as someone who can help the team achieve its goals. I am highly motivated and driven by success. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with many different types of businesses and organizations, and I feel like I would be able to apply my knowledge and expertise to benefit your company.”

8. Provide an example of when you made a mistake and what you learned from it.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you’ve grown as a professional. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the steps you took to correct your mistake and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I first started my career in business consulting, I was working with a client who had a lot of questions about their marketing strategy. I thought that if I answered all of their questions, they would have everything they needed to move forward with their marketing plan. However, after speaking with them for over an hour, I realized that I hadn’t given them enough information to make any decisions. I apologized to them and explained that I could answer some of their questions but that we would need to schedule another meeting to discuss the rest.”

9. Have you ever managed anyone before? If so, how did that go?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your leadership skills. If you have managed others in the past, share what made you successful and how you helped your team members grow.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager for a marketing firm, I was responsible for managing two other account managers. My goal was to make sure they were meeting their sales quotas while also ensuring that our clients were happy with our work. To do this, I met with each of them every week to discuss their progress and offer advice on how they could improve. In doing so, I learned more about the job from both sides and was able to provide even better service to our clients.”

10. Can you give an example of a time where you were able to explain something complex to someone who wasn’t familiar with the subject?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to simplify complex ideas. When answering this question, it can be helpful to use examples of how you broke down the information into smaller pieces or used analogies to help explain the concept.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant for a small business, my manager asked me to create a budget for the company’s marketing department. While I had experience creating budgets, I didn’t have much experience with marketing strategies. So, I researched several different types of marketing campaigns and created a spreadsheet that outlined what each campaign would cost per month and how many leads they could generate.”

11. What is your favorite part about consulting?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your passion for helping clients succeed, but it also needs to show that you are organized and detail-oriented.

Example: “My favorite part about consulting is getting to work with different types of businesses and seeing how I can help them achieve their goals. Every client has unique challenges, so each project presents new opportunities to learn and grow. I enjoy being able to use my expertise to solve problems and create solutions.”

12. What specific areas of business would you like to develop expertise in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve in your career. It also helps them understand whether or not Ankura Consulting Group would be able to provide you with the opportunities and resources you need to develop your skills. When answering this question, try to think about which areas of business interest you most and why.

Example: “I’m passionate about helping businesses grow their revenue through digital marketing strategies. I’ve been working on my own blog for two years now, and I’ve seen how much more effective it is to use social media and content marketing to reach new customers than traditional advertising methods. I’d love to learn more about how companies can implement these strategies into their existing marketing plans.”

13. Please describe a project you worked on where you received negative feedback from a client. How did you address the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and learn from them. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to communicate effectively and commitment to continuous improvement.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was unhappy with the results of our work together. I met with him in person to discuss his concerns and learned that he felt we were not providing enough value for the fees we charged. We discussed ways we could improve our services and reduce costs while still delivering high-quality work. He agreed to continue working with us on this new agreement.”

14. In your opinion, what makes a leader successful?

This question can help interviewers understand your leadership skills and how you apply them to your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific example of when you helped someone or a group achieve success.

Example: “I believe that the most important quality in a leader is their ability to inspire others. I have seen leaders who are able to motivate their teams with positive energy and confidence, which helps employees feel supported and confident in their work. In my last role, I was working on a project where we needed to meet tight deadlines. My team members were feeling stressed about meeting these deadlines, but I told them they could do it and gave them some strategies for staying organized and focused.”

15. Tell us about your most interesting project.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s experience and how they apply their skills. It also helps you determine if the person would be a good fit for your company culture.

Example: “My most interesting project was when I worked with a small business owner who wanted to expand her online store. She had no idea where to start, so we started by looking at her current website and analyzing what she could do to improve it. We then looked at other websites in her niche and analyzed what made them successful. After that, we created a plan of action for her to grow her sales through social media marketing.”

16. What was the biggest challenge you faced in your last position?

This question can help the interviewer get a better understanding of your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to highlight how you overcame that challenge and what you learned from it.

Example: “The biggest challenge I faced in my last position was when we were working on a project for one of our largest clients. The client wanted us to complete the project within two weeks, but there were many factors that made that deadline unrealistic. We had to work with the client to find a solution that would allow them to meet their needs while also allowing us to complete the project without sacrificing quality. In the end, we found a compromise where they agreed to give us an extra week to complete the project.”

17. Provide an example of a time when you used data analysis to make a recommendation.

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how they can benefit their company. Use examples from previous work or school projects that highlight your ability to use data analysis to make recommendations.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for analyzing the financial reports of a small business. After reviewing the information, I noticed that the company had been spending too much money on marketing campaigns. I presented my findings to the owner, who then decided to cut back on some of his advertising expenses. This saved him thousands of dollars each month.”

18. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

This is a common question that interviewers ask to get to know you better. They want to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position. Before your interview, prepare a brief answer that includes information such as where you grew up, what your educational background is and any work experience you have.

Example: “I was born and raised in New York City. I graduated from NYU with a degree in business administration. After graduation, I worked for two years at an accounting firm before moving to Ankura Consulting Group.”

19. Which area of consulting interests you most and why?

This question helps employers understand your interests and how they align with the company’s goals. It also gives them an idea of what you might be able to contribute if hired. When answering this question, try to show that you have a passion for the industry and are eager to learn more about it.

Example: “I’m most interested in business strategy consulting because I love helping companies develop plans that help them achieve their goals. In my last role, I helped a small startup create a strategic plan that allowed them to grow into a successful company. I find it rewarding to see businesses succeed.”

20. What attracted you to Ankura Consulting Group?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to share what you know about Ankura Consulting Group and why you’re excited to work there.

Example: “I was attracted to Ankura Consulting Group because of its reputation as a leader in business advisory services. I’ve always wanted to work at a place where I could use my skills to make an impact, and I think that’s possible here. I also like how Ankura Consulting Group is committed to hiring diverse talent. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team.”