17 Strategic Planning Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

Strategic planning consultants work with organizations to create long-term plans for growth and success. They conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations for their clients. If you want to become a strategic planning consultant, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in an interview.

While each interview will be unique, there are some common strategic planning interview questions you can expect. In this guide, we’ll provide sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the concept of the “strategic triangle”? Can you explain what it is and how it applies to strategic planning?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the strategic planning process and how it applies to a business. This is because the strategic triangle is one of the most important concepts in strategic planning, as it helps businesses determine their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies that can help them improve. In your answer, try to explain what the strategic triangle is and why it’s so important for strategic planners to understand.

Example: “The strategic triangle is a concept used by many strategic planners to help businesses identify their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. It involves creating three different categories based on these elements—the internal environment, the external environment and the organization itself. I have worked with clients who use the strategic triangle to create plans that address all aspects of their business operations and help them achieve success.”

What are the key components of a strong strategic plan? Can you provide examples from your previous experiences?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of strategic planning and the steps involved in creating a strong plan. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your expertise with strategic planning and how it can benefit an organization.

Example: “A strong strategic plan includes several key components, including a mission statement, goals, objectives, strategies and tactics. I always make sure that each component is clearly defined so there’s no confusion about what the company aims to achieve or how they’ll do it. In my last role, we developed a strategic plan for a new client who wanted to expand their business into international markets. We used our research to develop a clear vision for the company and created specific goals and objectives to help them reach those goals.”

How do you determine if a strategic plan is successful or not? What examples can you provide from your previous work?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how you use them to measure the success of a strategic plan. Use examples from past projects that highlight your ability to analyze data, interpret information and make decisions based on what you find.

Example: “I believe there are three main factors that determine whether or not a strategic plan is successful. First, I look at the goals set in the plan and evaluate if they were met. If so, then I know the plan was successful. Second, I examine the budget for the project and compare it to actual expenses. If the company spent less than expected, then the plan was successful. Finally, I review customer satisfaction surveys and other feedback to see if customers are happy with the product or service.”

What is your process for identifying and prioritizing goals for clients? Can you provide an example from your previous work?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your process for strategic planning and how you apply it in the workplace. Use examples from previous work experience to explain your approach to goal setting and how you help clients achieve their objectives.

Example: “I start by listening carefully to my client’s goals and objectives, then I use a variety of tools to analyze data and information to determine what they need to focus on most. In my last role, I worked with a company that wanted to expand its product line but was unsure which products would be best for customers. After analyzing customer feedback and sales data, I determined that the company should develop new software rather than additional hardware.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a client make a difficult decision regarding their strategic plan. What was the decision and why was it difficult?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and apply your critical thinking skills to a client’s strategic plan. Use examples from past experiences where you helped clients make important decisions that led to positive outcomes for their organization.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a nonprofit organization who was looking to expand their services into new areas of the state. The problem they were facing was that they didn’t have enough funding to support this expansion. We had several meetings discussing different options for raising more money or cutting back on some of their current programs. Ultimately, we decided that it would be best to raise funds through private donors rather than cut any existing programs.”

If you had to choose one skill that is essential for a strategic planning consultant, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you know what skills are important for your role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about which skills you use most often in your current position and how they help you succeed.

Example: “I believe one of the most essential skills for a strategic planning consultant is communication. This skill helps me understand my clients’ needs and goals so I can create plans that meet their expectations. Communication also allows me to work with other consultants on projects and collaborate with team members to solve problems.”

What would you say is your greatest weakness as a strategic planning consultant and why?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s likely that you’ll be asked to discuss your weaknesses at some point. Employers ask this question because they want to know what potential challenges you might face as an employee of their company. They also want to see how you respond to criticism. When answering this question, try to choose a weakness that isn’t too serious or important.

Example: “I would say my greatest weakness is that I am sometimes overly critical of myself. While this can be helpful when trying to improve my work, it can also lead me to doubt my abilities. In the past, I’ve learned to use this self-criticism as motivation to do better.”

How well do you perform under pressure? What examples can you provide from your previous work?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your ability to work under pressure and how you react in those situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline or perform well while under stress.

Example: “I have experience working with clients who are facing deadlines and need my strategic planning services quickly. In these situations, I always make sure to communicate clearly with the client so they know what to expect from me. This helps them feel confident that I will deliver on their project by the deadline. I also use my organizational skills to ensure I am meeting all of the necessary requirements for each project.”

Do you have experience working with clients from different industries? If so, what examples can you offer?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with clients from different industries. This can help them understand if you have the ability to adapt to new situations and work well with people who are unfamiliar with strategic planning processes. In your answer, try to explain how you’ve worked with clients from different industries in the past and what challenges you faced while doing so.

Example: “I’ve worked with clients from a variety of industries throughout my career as a strategic consultant. I find that each industry has its own unique characteristics when it comes to strategic planning. For example, one client I had was a small business owner who wanted to expand their company but didn’t know where to start. We spent several weeks discussing his goals and objectives before coming up with a plan for growth.”

When consulting with clients, how do you communicate your ideas so that they understand your recommendations?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you can help clients understand the information you’re presenting. In your answer, try to explain that you use visual aids or other methods to make sure your client understands what you’re saying.

Example: “I find that using visuals is one of the best ways to communicate my ideas to a client. I always bring plenty of printed materials with me when I meet with a new client so they have something tangible to take home. When I’m speaking with them, I also try to use analogies or metaphors to help them better understand the concepts I’m explaining.”

We want to expand into new markets. What industries would you recommend we target?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of the market and how you would apply it to their company. Use examples from your experience or research to show that you understand the current trends in industries that are growing.

Example: “I would recommend targeting industries with high growth potential, such as healthcare, technology and financial services. These industries have a lot of room for expansion because they’re constantly changing and developing new technologies and products. I also think these industries are more likely to be willing to spend money on strategic planning because they need it to stay competitive.”

Describe your process for conducting market research. What tools do you find most useful?

Market research is an important part of strategic planning. Employers ask this question to learn more about your process for conducting market research and the tools you use to do so. In your answer, explain what steps you take when conducting market research and which tools you find most helpful in doing so.

Example: “I start by researching my client’s current customers. I want to know who they are, how they found out about the company and why they chose to buy from them. I also look at their competitors’ websites and social media accounts to see what they’re offering. Then, I conduct a search on Google Trends to see what people are searching for online. This helps me understand what consumers are looking for and if there’s a need that my client can fill.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want someone who is passionate about strategic planning and has a lot of experience in the field. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills that relate to this position. Think about what you enjoy doing most when working on projects. Share these with the interviewer so they can see why you are an ideal candidate.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this role because I have extensive knowledge of strategic planning. Throughout my career, I’ve worked on many different types of projects. I also have a passion for helping businesses grow by developing strategies that help them meet their goals. My communication skills are another reason I’m an ideal candidate. I am able to clearly explain complex ideas to others and collaborate well with teams.”

Which strategic planning frameworks do you have experience using?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you apply strategic planning frameworks to client projects. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your expertise with different types of strategic planning models.

Example: “I’ve used several strategic planning frameworks in my previous roles, including the Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Design Canvas and Lean Canvas. I find that these tools are useful for helping clients identify their business goals and develop strategies to achieve them. In my last role, I worked with a client who was looking to expand their product line. We used the Business Model Canvas to create a plan for developing new products while also maintaining existing ones.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when completing a strategic plan?

This question can help the interviewer understand your thought process and how you approach a project. Your answer should show that you know what’s important when completing a strategic plan, but it can also give insight into your own values and priorities.

Example: “I think the most important thing to remember when completing a strategic plan is to make sure all stakeholders are involved in the planning process. It’s crucial to get input from everyone who will be affected by the plan so they feel like they had a voice in the final product. I’ve seen many instances where one person or department feels left out of the process, which can lead to problems later on.”

How often should a strategic plan be updated?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of how often a strategic plan should be updated. Use examples from past projects to explain when you recommend updating a strategic plan and what factors influence this decision.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to update a strategic plan at least once per year, but I also think it depends on the organization. For example, if an organization is doing well with its current strategy, then there may not be a need for frequent updates. However, if the company is experiencing challenges or changes in leadership, then I would recommend more frequent updates. In my last role, we recommended quarterly updates.”

There is a gap between the current state of the business and the desired future state. What is the first thing you would do to help close that gap?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role. Use examples from past experiences where you helped close gaps between current and future states.

Example: “The first thing I would do is conduct research on the company’s goals, objectives and strategies. Then, I would analyze the gap between the current state of the business and the desired future state. This analysis will help me determine what steps are needed to get the company closer to its goals.”