20 The Brattle Group Interview Questions and Answers

The Brattle Group is a leading global economic consulting firm that provides expert testimony, litigation support, and strategic advice to clients in the public and private sectors. The firm’s economists have been recognized as experts in a wide range of industries, including antitrust, finance, healthcare, insurance, and regulation.

If you’re interviewing for a position at The Brattle Group, you can expect to be asked a mix of general interview questions and questions specific to the role you’re applying for. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Brattle Group interview questions and answers.

The Brattle Group Interview Process

The interview process at The Brattle Group can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For research positions, the process usually consists of a first round behavioral interview with HR followed by a day of scheduled interviews with analysts, associates, and principals. There may also be a case study component to the second round of interviews. For other positions, the interview process may be shorter or longer, but generally includes behavioral and fit interviews.

1. How do you think the current political climate will affect our clients?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you can apply your knowledge of current events and politics to the work you do. Use examples from your past experience to show that you can use political information to benefit clients’ businesses.

Example: “I think the current political climate will affect our clients in a few ways. First, I believe it will increase their interest in renewable energy sources. For example, when President Trump announced he would pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, many people became more interested in investing in clean energy solutions. This led to an increase in sales for my client who sells solar panels.”

2. What is your experience with financial modeling and analysis?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with financial modeling and analysis. This is a skill that many people in the finance industry need, so it’s important to show you have some experience with it. When answering this question, explain what financial modeling and analysis are and give examples of how you’ve used these skills in previous roles.

Example: “I’ve been using financial modeling software for years now, which has helped me understand complex financial models and calculations. I also use Excel extensively, which allows me to create my own financial models. In my last role as an accountant, I was responsible for creating monthly reports on company finances. These reports included information like revenue and expenses, along with other metrics.”

3. Do you have any experience working in a consulting firm?

The Brattle Group is a consulting firm, so your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a similar environment. If you have relevant experience, share it with them and explain how it prepared you for the role. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about what you know about consulting firms and why you’re interested in working at The Brattle Group.

Example: “I worked as an analyst for a small consulting firm while I was getting my master’s degree. My job was to research different industries and provide data to help our clients make informed decisions. This experience taught me how to work independently and manage multiple projects at once. It also helped me develop my communication skills and understand the importance of analyzing data.”

4. Why are you interested in The Brattle Group?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have done your research on their company. It is important to show that you are genuinely interested in working for this organization and understand what they do. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few things about The Brattle Group that interest you or why you think this role would be a good fit for you.

Example: “I am very passionate about renewable energy, so I was excited to learn more about The Brattle Group when I saw an article about them in my local newspaper. After doing some research, I learned that you are one of the leading organizations in the country when it comes to researching clean energy solutions. I believe that I could bring valuable skills to this team and look forward to learning from the experts here.”

5. What is your favorite area of economics to research?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and your interests. It also helps them understand what areas of economics you are most familiar with, which can be helpful if they need someone who is an expert in a specific area. When answering this question, try to pick something that relates to the position you’re applying for or something that shows you have knowledge about their company’s field.

Example: “My favorite area of economics to research is energy policy. I find it fascinating how different policies affect the way we use energy and how those changes impact our economy. For example, when I was researching renewable energy sources, I found out that some states had laws against solar power companies selling directly to consumers. This meant that people couldn’t buy solar panels unless they were part of a large-scale system. I think these types of regulations should be reviewed so that we can make sure we’re using resources efficiently.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision without all the information, how did you go about it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and whether or not you have experience making important choices without all the information. Use examples from your previous work to highlight your critical thinking skills, ability to prioritize tasks and willingness to take on challenges.

Example: “In my last position as an economist, I was tasked with creating a report that would give our clients insight into the current state of the economy. However, there were some factors that we didn’t know about at the time, so I had to use my best judgment to estimate what those numbers might be. I used historical data to predict what the future might look like based on similar situations in the past.”

7. Describe a time when you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can persuade others. Use examples from past experiences where you used persuasion to convince someone of an idea or opinion.

Example: “In my last role, I had a client who was very set on their ideas for the campaign. They wanted to use a specific celebrity spokesperson because they believed it would help them reach their target audience. However, after much discussion, I convinced them that using another celebrity would be better for the company’s image. The client agreed with me and we ended up choosing a different celebrity.”

8. Give an example of a time where you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours.

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked with someone who had a different personality than yours and the steps you took to ensure that collaboration was successful.

Example: “In my last role as an economist, I often collaborated with other economists on projects. One of my colleagues was very outgoing and always wanted to brainstorm ideas in large groups. While I prefer working alone or in small groups, I learned to adapt by taking notes during our meetings so I could review them later and complete my portion of the project.”

9. What would you do if two co-workers were having a conflict?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from past experiences where you helped resolve a conflict between two or more co-workers and how it benefited the company.

Example: “In my last position, I had two colleagues who were constantly arguing about their work responsibilities. One colleague would often take on too much work while the other colleague would leave some tasks unfinished. When I noticed that they were having an issue, I asked them both to meet with me in private so we could discuss the problem. After talking through the situation, I learned that one of the employees was overwhelmed by her workload and needed help prioritizing her tasks. We discussed ways she could delegate some of her work to others and also find time for breaks throughout the day.”

10. Have you ever worked on a project that didn’t go as planned? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you faced a challenge at work and overcame it.

Example: “When I first started working as an economist, I was tasked with creating a report on the economic impact of a new law that would increase taxes for businesses in my state. However, after researching the topic, I found out that there were no current studies on the subject. So, instead of writing a report, I decided to conduct my own study on the tax’s economic impact. It took me longer than expected to complete the project, but I eventually delivered a well-researched report.”

11. Are you comfortable handling confidential information?

The Brattle Group works with clients who may have sensitive information. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of confidentiality and can handle confidential information appropriately. In your answer, explain that you will keep all client information confidential. Explain how you would maintain confidentiality in your role as a financial analyst.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable handling confidential information. As a financial analyst, I often work with confidential data. I take my responsibility to protect confidential information seriously. When working with clients, I always use secure networks and passwords to access confidential information. I also never share any confidential information with anyone outside of the company unless they need it for their job.”

12. Is there anything else we should know about you?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person. You can use this time to talk about any other skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I am also fluent in Mandarin, which I learned while studying abroad in China during my undergraduate years. This language skill has helped me communicate with clients who speak Mandarin and it’s something I’m proud of.”

13. What is your experience with writing reports and presentations?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your writing skills and how you organize information. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have with these tasks, including the types of reports or presentations you’ve written in the past and what steps you take when organizing data for a project.

Example: “In my last role as an energy consultant, I wrote several different types of reports that outlined our findings on various projects. For example, I would write a report after completing a site visit where we gathered data on the client’s current energy usage. Then, I would create a presentation that included all of the key points from the report so that I could share it with clients during meetings.”

14. When you are working on a difficult task, what steps do you take to get through it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. This can be an important skill for working in a consulting firm, as you will likely encounter many complex problems during the course of your work. In your answer, try to describe how you approach solving problems and highlight any specific techniques that have helped you succeed in the past.

Example: “When I’m working on a difficult task, I first take some time to think through the issue and break it down into smaller parts. Then, I research different solutions and compare them to see which one is most effective. Finally, I implement my solution and monitor its progress to make sure it’s working effectively.”

15. What is your experience with data management and analysis?

The Brattle Group is a consulting firm that specializes in energy and environmental policy. As such, they need employees who can manage data effectively to help their clients make informed decisions about these topics. Your answer should show the interviewer your experience with managing large amounts of data and how you use it to solve problems.

Example: “In my previous position as an analyst for a state government agency, I was responsible for organizing all of our department’s data into one central location so we could access it easily. We used this information to create reports on various aspects of the department’s operations, including budgeting, employee performance and public outreach. In addition, I regularly analyzed data from different sources to determine trends and patterns.”

16. If hired, what kind of projects do you think you would be most interested in working on?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interests and how they align with the company’s goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project you’ve worked on in the past that relates to what The Brattle Group does.

Example: “I think I would enjoy working on projects related to renewable energy because I have always been interested in learning more about alternative sources of power. In my last position, I was able to work on several different types of renewable energy projects, including solar and wind. This experience helped me understand the benefits and drawbacks of each type of energy, which has made me even more passionate about researching renewable energy.”

17. What is your experience with statistical software such as SAS or R?

The Brattle Group uses SAS and R software in its work, so your interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience with these programs. If you have used either of these statistical software programs before, explain what projects you worked on that required their use. If you haven’t used them before, consider mentioning other types of statistical software you’ve used or the computer programming languages you’re familiar with.

Example: “I have extensive experience using both SAS and R software for my previous job as a data analyst. I was responsible for analyzing large amounts of data and creating reports based on those analyses. In my current role, I am still working with SAS but am also learning how to use R.”

18. As a Research Assistant, what kind of tasks would you expect to perform?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. You can answer by listing some of the tasks you would perform as a research assistant, such as:

Conducting research on energy policy
Writing reports
Creating presentations
Explaining complex data in layman’s terms
Example: “I expect to conduct research on energy policy, write reports and create presentations based on my findings. I also expect to explain complex data in simple terms so that it’s easy for others to understand. In addition, I will be responsible for managing multiple projects at once and meeting deadlines.”

19. If you could change one thing about The Brattle Group, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work within an established company culture. It also helps them determine if you have any ideas that could improve their business. When answering this question, it’s important to be respectful of the company and its current practices. You can answer honestly while still being diplomatic.

Example: “I would change the amount of travel required in this position. I know The Brattle Group has many employees who are constantly traveling, but I prefer to stay in one place. If I were offered this job, however, I would do my best to adapt to the requirements.”

20. What do you like best about economic research?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your personality, interests and values.

Example: “I love learning about how people’s actions affect the economy. I find it fascinating that something like changing the price of gas by just a few cents can have such a big impact on consumer behavior. It makes me feel good to be able to use my research skills to make better decisions for businesses and consumers.”