20 North Highland Interview Questions and Answers

North Highland is a global management consulting firm that helps organizations achieve their strategic objectives. North Highland partners with clients in a wide range of industries, from healthcare and life sciences to consumer goods and technology.

If you’re interviewing for a job at North Highland, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample North Highland interview questions and answers.

North Highland Interview Process

The interview process at North Highland can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least 3 interviews, with some positions requiring up to 4 interviews. The first interview is usually a screening phone call with a recruiter, followed by an interview with a senior manager. The final stage of the interview process is usually a case study interview.

1. What do you think the most important aspects of a consulting company are?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to the company. When answering, it’s important to be honest about what you think is most important in this type of business. You may also want to mention some specific aspects that are important to you personally.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of a consulting firm is communication. It’s vital for everyone to understand their role and communicate with each other so they can work together effectively. Another important factor is trust. I would like to work at a company where I feel comfortable asking questions and trusting my colleagues to do their jobs well.”

2. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in any job, and employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to communicate effectively and resolve conflict.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing specialist, I was working on a campaign for a new product launch. My team and I had different ideas about how we should market the product, which led to some disagreement. We decided to take a break from our discussion and come back to it later. After taking a short break, we were able to discuss things calmly and find a solution.”

3. How would you approach a client who is not satisfied with your work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and criticism. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also highlight the steps you take to resolve the issue.

Example: “I would first ask them what they didn’t like about my work. I’d then apologize for their dissatisfaction and explain that I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills. If there was a specific thing they didn’t like, I would offer to redo it or provide additional services at no cost. If there were multiple issues with my work, I would offer to do some of the work over again or refund their money.”

4. Describe a difficult situation that you handled as a consultant.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation that you handled well and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “When I first started as a consultant, I had a client who was very demanding. He would constantly call me with questions and wanted immediate answers. This made my job difficult because I needed time to research his questions before providing him with an answer. Eventually, I learned how to handle this situation by setting up weekly meetings with the client so he could get all of his questions answered at once. This helped me manage his expectations and allowed me to focus on other projects.”

5. Why should we hire you over another candidate?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your confidence and self-awareness. They want to know that you are aware of the competition, but also confident in your own abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or two that makes you unique from other candidates.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate for this position because of my strong communication skills and ability to work well with others. Throughout my career, I have always been able to communicate clearly with both clients and coworkers. This has helped me build relationships with many people and get ahead in my career.”

6. Do you have experience managing a team of consultants?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company culture. Use examples from your experience to highlight your management style, communication skills and ability to work with a team.

Example: “In my current role as an IT consultant, I have managed a team of five other consultants who are all highly experienced in their fields. We meet once a week to discuss our clients’ needs and any issues we’re having with projects or client relationships. This helps us collaborate on solutions for problems that arise and share ideas for new ways to approach projects.”

7. Have you worked in a global operations setting before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a global environment. If you haven’t, you can talk about how you would adapt to this type of work and what steps you would take to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve worked with international clients before but I haven’t had an opportunity to work directly with a company that has offices around the world. However, I am very open to learning new things and adapting to different cultures. I think my ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others makes me well-suited for this kind of work.”

8. Can you tell us about a time where you had to deal with an irate customer?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle stressful situations. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging customer. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to diffuse tense situations.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I listened to them explain the situation and apologized for any inconvenience. Then, I looked up their account to find out why the shipment wasn’t delivered as expected. It turned out there was an issue with our shipping company, so I called them to resolve the matter. The customer was happy with my response and appreciated that I took the time to look into it.”

9. North Highland is looking for someone who can be innovative. Give an example of a time where you had to be innovative.

North Highland is looking for someone who can be innovative and come up with new ideas. This question helps them determine if you have the skills to do so. When answering this question, think of a time when you had to come up with an idea or solution quickly. Explain what your process was in coming up with that idea or solution.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager, I had to come up with a new campaign for one of our clients. The client wanted us to create a campaign that would help increase sales by 10% within six months. I knew we could achieve this goal through brainstorming sessions and strategic planning. We came up with several different campaigns before deciding on one. It took some trial and error, but we were able to meet the client’s goals.”

10. We want our employees to feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas. How do you feel about this?

This question is an opportunity to show your willingness to speak up and share your thoughts. It also gives you the chance to demonstrate that you understand how important it is for a company to have employees who feel comfortable expressing themselves.

Example: “I think it’s very important for companies to encourage their employees to express themselves. I’ve worked in places where this wasn’t encouraged, and it made me feel like my voice didn’t matter. When I see someone being treated poorly because they spoke up, it makes me want to do the same thing. I believe that if we all felt safe speaking our minds, we could come up with some amazing ideas.”

11. Tell us about a time where you felt like you went above and beyond for a client.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your work ethic and how you approach your job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on a specific example that highlights your dedication to helping others.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for a small business, one of my clients had been having some issues with their computer. They were in the middle of a big project, so they needed their computer fixed right away. I stayed late after work to troubleshoot the issue with them. After about two hours of trying different things, we finally figured out what was wrong with the computer. My client was very grateful, and he told me that if he ever needed anything else, he would come back to our company.”

12. What do you think makes a good leader?

Leadership is a key skill for anyone in management. Employers ask this question to see if you have the qualities they’re looking for in their leaders. Before your interview, think about what makes a good leader and how you can apply those skills to your own career.

Example: “I believe that a good leader should be someone who’s empathetic and compassionate. They need to be able to understand the needs of others and help them achieve their goals. I also think it’s important for a leader to be decisive. When making decisions, they should consider all options before choosing one. This helps ensure they make the best choice for everyone involved.”

13. In what ways do you communicate well with clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with clients and what methods you use to ensure they’re satisfied. You may want to mention a few specific ways that you’ve helped your previous clients, such as by providing them with regular updates on projects or helping them understand any jargon you use in your communication.

Example: “I always make sure to speak clearly when I talk with my clients so they can understand me. If I’m explaining something technical, I’ll often draw diagrams or provide visual aids to help them better understand. I also regularly check in with my clients to see if they have questions about their projects or if they need anything from me.”

14. How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and have a passion for learning. They also want to see that you’re willing to take the initiative to learn new things on your own time. Show them that you can be self-motivated and curious about what’s happening in your industry.

Example: “I am passionate about my work, so I try to read as many articles and blogs as possible. I also subscribe to several newsletters from different companies and organizations. I find that this is an easy way to stay informed without having to spend too much time searching for information. I also attend conferences and seminars when I can.”

15. Are you willing to relocate if needed?

Employers may ask this question to see if you’re willing to move for a job. If they are looking to hire someone who can relocate, it’s important that you let them know that you would be willing to do so. When answering this question, make sure to mention any factors that might affect your willingness to relocate. For example, if you have family in the area or if you own property.

Example: “Yes, I am willing to relocate as needed. My spouse and I just bought our first home, but we both work full-time jobs and could easily find new ones if necessary. We also have no children at home, which makes relocating easier.”

16. Describe a time when you had to make decisions about a process without consulting your direct manager.

This question can help interviewers understand how you make decisions and whether you have the ability to think independently. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a time when your decision was successful or unsuccessful and what you learned from that experience.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant, I had to decide which software we should use for our company’s financial reports. My manager wasn’t available at the time, so I researched several different options and decided on one based on its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. The software helped us save money by not requiring additional training for employees and allowed us to focus more on our core business.”

17. Provide an example of a time when you helped improve a process at work.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you can apply them in a work environment. When answering, think of an example that showcases your ability to analyze a process and make improvements.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that the company’s customer service team was having trouble keeping up with all the calls they received each day. The team had one employee who would answer phones during peak hours, which left callers on hold for long periods of time. To solve this issue, I suggested hiring another employee to help answer phones during busy times. My manager approved the idea, and we hired someone new to handle phone calls during peak hours.”

18. How do you keep track of all of your projects?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and organize your tasks. Your answer should show that you have a system in place to keep track of all your projects, deadlines and other responsibilities.

Example: “I use an online calendar to keep track of my daily tasks and weekly goals. I find this method most effective because it allows me to see everything at once and make changes as needed. For example, if I need to reschedule a meeting or add another task to my list, I can do so quickly by looking at my calendar. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t forget any important details.”

19. If hired, what area of consulting would you prefer to work in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of their company and determine which department you would fit best in. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area that aligns with your skills and experience.

Example: “I have quite a bit of experience working on marketing campaigns, so I think I would fit well in the digital marketing team. I am very familiar with social media platforms and how they work, and I know what types of content perform best. I also have some experience creating websites, so I feel like I could contribute to the development of new ones.”

20. What types of programs do you have experience with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to their company. When answering this question, be sure to list out all of the programs you have worked with in the past and what types of projects you completed using them.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I had experience working with many different types of software including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, Salesforce CRM and HubSpot Marketing. These programs helped me complete various tasks within my job, such as creating presentations, managing client information and tracking sales leads.”