20 Putnam Associates Interview Questions and Answers

Putnam Associates is a leading global management consulting firm. They advise companies in the aerospace & defense, healthcare, life sciences, and other industries on their most critical strategic, organizational, financial, and operational issues.

Their clients are some of the world’s largest and most respected companies, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Pfizer, and many others.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Putnam Associates, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample Putnam Associates interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Putnam Associates Interview Process

The interview process at Putnam Associates is generally pretty straightforward. For most positions, you can expect to have two rounds of interviews. The first round will usually be a mix of behavioral and case questions, while the second round will be entirely focused on cases. However, there are some variations depending on the position you’re applying for.

For analyst positions, the first round will typically just be a case interview. For summer associate consultant internships, there will be two stages: a 45 minute interview with both behavioral and case questions, and then a longer super day that includes multiple interviews with different people.

Associate consultant interviews are usually pretty straightforward. You can expect to have a 45 minute interview in the first round, with 15 minutes devoted to behavioral questions and the rest of the time spent on a case. In the final round, you’ll have three interviews: one quantitative, one qualitative, and one behavioral.

Life sciences consultant interviews also usually involve two rounds. The first round will be behavioral and case questions, while the second round will include multiple interviews with different people. These interviews may focus on either behavioral or case questions, or a mix of both.

Data analyst interviews usually begin with a technical coding assessment, followed

1. What areas of health care do you have experience with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to highlight any unique or relevant experiences you have that relate to the position.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of health care organizations, including hospitals, clinics and private practices. I also have experience working with insurance companies and medical billing services. These experiences have given me a wide range of knowledge in the healthcare industry and how it works.”

2. Why are you interested in working at Putnam Associates?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and why you are interested in working at Putnam Associates. It’s important to show that you have done some research on the company, its values and what it offers employees.

Example: “I am very passionate about technology and innovation, so I was excited to see that Putnam Associates has been named one of the top tech companies to work for by CNET. I also love the idea of working for a company that focuses on creating solutions for clients rather than just selling products. I think this focus will help me develop my skills as a programmer even further.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision without consulting your manager, how did it go?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your decision-making skills and how you handle making important choices on your own. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership abilities.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist for a large corporation, I was tasked with creating a new security system that would protect all company data. My manager trusted me to make the right decisions regarding what software we should use and who we should hire to implement it. After researching several different options, I decided that installing a cloud-based server would be the best option for our company because it could scale up or down depending on our needs. It also had more advanced security features than other systems we were considering.”

4. What is the most complex project you have worked on?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with complex projects and how you handled them. Use this opportunity to highlight a project that was successful, but also one that taught you something new or helped you develop a skill.

Example: “The most complex project I’ve worked on so far is my current role as an IT consultant for a small business. The company has multiple locations, which means I have to manage several different networks at once. This requires me to be more organized than I would be if I were working in a single location environment. However, it’s been a great learning experience and has given me valuable insight into managing larger networks.”

5. How would you prioritize your work if you were assigned multiple projects?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you manage your time and workload. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are organized, dependable and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing specialist, I was assigned multiple projects at once. One of my main priorities was always meeting client expectations. For example, if one project required me to create a social media campaign by a certain date, I would make sure to complete all other tasks related to that project before focusing on anything else. Another priority for me is to ensure that any work I do meets company standards and adheres to policies.”

6. Can you give us an example of a time where you felt that you made a significant contribution to a team?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are a team player. It also allows them to see what kind of work you did and how it benefited the company or organization. When answering this question, try to focus on the positive aspects of your experience and highlight any awards or recognition you may have received for your contributions.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I was part of a small team that worked together to create new financial models for our clients. One day, I noticed that one of our models had a mistake in it. I immediately brought it up with my team so we could fix it before presenting it to our client. We were able to find the error and correct it before our meeting. The client ended up being very pleased with our presentation.”

7. Are you comfortable working overtime?

This question is a good way to assess your willingness to work extra hours when necessary. Employers ask this question because they want employees who are willing to do what it takes to get the job done, even if that means working late or on weekends. In your answer, be honest about whether you’re comfortable with overtime and explain why.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working overtime when needed. I understand that sometimes projects take longer than expected, so I’m prepared to stay late or come in early if necessary. I also know that sometimes emergencies happen, so I always make sure to leave myself enough time to complete my tasks before leaving for the day.”

8. Give me an example of a time when you provided excellent customer service.

Customer service is an important part of any job, and employers ask this question to make sure you have experience providing it. When answering this question, think about a time when you helped a customer solve a problem or find what they were looking for. Try to focus on the results of your actions rather than the process.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a client who was having trouble finding information in our database. They called me several times asking questions, and each time I answered them as best I could. Eventually, I found the information they were looking for and sent it to them. The next day, they called back to thank me for all of my help.”

9. Describe a time when you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the problem and how you were able to come up with an innovative solution.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for one of our clients. The client wanted us to create a campaign that would increase sales by 10% within six months. At first, I thought about using traditional methods like social media ads or email campaigns. However, after talking with the client, we decided that they didn’t want to spend money on those types of advertisements. Instead, I came up with the idea of hosting a free seminar at a local library. We advertised the event through flyers and word of mouth, which helped us reach more people than if we had used paid advertising.”

10. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you might fit into their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about your leadership skills and what makes you a good leader.

Example: “I would describe myself as someone who is highly organized and motivated. I am always looking for ways to improve my team’s performance and find new solutions to problems. I also believe that everyone has something unique to contribute, so I try to make sure everyone feels valued and appreciated. These are all qualities that have helped me become an effective leader in previous positions.”

11. Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the pace of work in their office. If you’ve worked in a fast-paced environment before, share your experience and how it helped you grow as a professional. If you haven’t, explain that you are willing to learn what it’s like to work in a high-pressure situation.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment for most of my career. I enjoy being able to multitask and get many tasks done at once. In my last role, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. This allowed me to develop my time management skills and become more efficient when working on assignments.”

12. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult client or situation? If so, what was the outcome?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have any experience working with clients who are difficult to please. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to remain calm under pressure and commitment to customer service.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing specialist for a software company, I had a client who was very demanding. They would constantly change their mind about what they wanted us to do for them and often called me at all hours of the day to ask questions or request changes to our campaign. After several weeks of this, I scheduled a meeting with the client to discuss the situation. I explained that we were committed to providing excellent service but needed more time to complete some of their requests. The client understood and agreed to give us more time.”

13. What steps would you take to ensure a successful project?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the steps involved in a project and how you would apply them. You can answer this question by describing the process you would use for each step, including defining goals, creating timelines and developing budgets.

Example: “I start every project with a thorough assessment of the client’s needs and expectations. I then create a timeline that includes all major milestones and deadlines. Next, I develop a budget based on the timeline and any other factors that may affect costs. Finally, I meet with my team to discuss our plan of action and ensure everyone understands their role.”

14. What is your favorite thing about healthcare management and consulting?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you plan to contribute to the company. When answering, think about what aspects of healthcare management and consulting most interest you and why.

Example: “My favorite thing about working in healthcare management and consulting is helping organizations find solutions to their problems. I enjoy being able to use my problem-solving skills to help clients develop strategies that improve patient care and satisfaction while reducing costs. In my last position, we helped a hospital reduce its infection rate by 25%, which was amazing to see.”

15. What do you know about our company culture?

Employers ask this question to see if you’ve done your research. They want to know that you’re excited about the company and its culture. Before your interview, read through the job description and any other information they provide on their website. If you can, speak with someone who works there or a recruiter.

Example: “I’m very impressed by Putnam Associates’ commitment to diversity. I learned from my friend who works here that the company has an equal opportunity policy for hiring. This is something I really believe in as well. I think it’s important to have a diverse team because different perspectives lead to better solutions. I also noticed that the company offers flexible work hours and telecommuting options. I love working remotely, so this would be great for me.”

16. What is your preferred communication style?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can adapt to different communication styles. It’s important to be able to communicate effectively with all types of people, so it’s beneficial to highlight a style you’re comfortable using and one you’d like to learn more about.

Example: “I prefer face-to-face communication because I find it the most effective way to convey my message. However, I also understand that sometimes email or phone calls are necessary. In those cases, I try to keep my emails short and use the phone only when absolutely necessary. I’ve found that if I’m respectful and clear in my communication, others will do the same.”

17. Provide an example of a time when you had to present information to an audience.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you communicate with others and your public speaking skills. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences to highlight your communication skills, such as your ability to speak clearly and confidently in front of a group.

Example: “At my last job, I had to present information about our company’s new product line to upper management. I was nervous because it was my first time presenting to this group, but I used some tips that helped me feel more confident. I practiced my presentation several times before the meeting so I could get comfortable with the material. During the meeting, I spoke slowly and clearly so everyone could understand what I was saying.”

18. What is your availability for travel?

Putnam Associates often requires its employees to travel for work. The interviewer wants to know if you have any objections to traveling and how much time off you need to take when you’re away from home. If you are willing to travel, be sure to mention that you understand the requirements of this job and can meet them.

Example: “I am available to travel as needed. I do require at least two weeks’ notice before a trip so I can make arrangements for my family. I also prefer to stay within the continental United States because I don’t have a passport.”

19. What questions do you have for us?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done some research on Putnam Associates and are eager to learn more about the company. Use this time to ask questions that will help you understand what it’s like to work at Putnam Associates, how employees interact with one another and what opportunities for growth exist within the organization.

Example: “I noticed that there are many different departments within Putnam Associates. I’m curious as to what each department does and if they collaborate with one another often. Also, I’d love to hear more about the training program you offer new hires.”

20. Describe a time when you had to communicate effectively with a colleague who had a different personality than yours.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your communication skills. Use examples from previous jobs or describe a time when you had to communicate with someone who was different than you in some way, such as age, gender or background.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with a colleague who was much younger than me. At first, it was difficult for me to adjust to his more casual style of communicating. However, after a few weeks, I learned that he preferred direct feedback rather than vague praise. By adjusting my communication style to be more direct, I was able to build a better relationship with him.”