Have a Roland Berger interview coming up? The Roland Berger interview includes case study interviews, behavioral or fit interviews, and a sometimes group case interview. Consulting interviews are always challenging and adding a group interview into the mix makes them even more so.
But don’t worry. My Consulting Offer is staffed by former recruiters and consultants from top consulting firms. We’ll cover what’s in the Roland Berger interview and give you tips on how to prepare.
In this article we’ll cover:
- The history and culture of Roland Berger.
- The Roland Berger recruiting process.
- The Roland Berger case interview.
- The Roland Berger fit or behavioral interview.
- How to prepare for a group case interview.
- MCO’s top 6 tips on acing your Roland Berger interview.
Let’s get started!
Roland Berger History and Culture
Founded in 1967, Roland Berger has grown to be a leading player in the management consulting industry. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Roland Berger is the only European consultancy with a strong international footprint – 50 offices across the globe with over 2,400 employees.
The firm was founded on the principles of independence “flavored by ideals of diversity, inclusivity and open exchange” which represent its European roots. Fifty years on, Roland Berger still values independence. The firm is solely owned by its partners, and it has forged a culture of ownership where consultants feel responsible for their work.
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Roland Berger Core Values and Client Work
Roland Berger’s core values of excellence, empathy, and entrepreneurship encourage their clients to take “brave technological leaps.” These leaps can lead to big changes in a client’s business model and substantial improvements in financial results. They also encourage their consultants to constantly learn and grow.
Roland Berger has served clients in over 13 industries including automotive, consumer goods, financial services, and technology. The firm covers 6 major business functions:
- Digital
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Operations
- Private Equity
- Restructuring, Performance Transformation, and Transaction
- Sales and Marketing
Roland Berger has positioned itself as a global thought leader in business and management, particularly through its award-winning magazine, Think:Act Magazine. The magazine reaches 30,000 select senior executives in business, politics, and media with thought-provoking articles and interviews with business leaders.
Work-Life Balance and Development at Roland Berger
Roland Berger acknowledges that consultants work hard and long hours. For this reason, consultants are encouraged to leverage solutions tailored to their life needs that will make a career in consulting sustainable for the long-term. These include taking a sabbatical, having a flexible work schedule, or working part-time. Roland Berger supports community-building by bringing its consultants together through return-to-office Fridays and its active sports program.
New Roland Berger consultants are supported through their first 100 days through specific training, mentorship, and coaching. Afterward, they receive continuous development through ongoing training programs, MBA support, Roland Berger’s Challenge Club (a global training program for top-level consultants and project managers), and other career development opportunities.
The Roland Berger Interview Process
Typically, the Roland Berger recruitment process takes 6-8 weeks from applying to signing the contract. Once you’ve submitted your application online, expect to hear from the Roland Berger recruiting team within 3 weeks. There are 3 – 4 rounds of in-person or virtual interviews as follows:
- Online test and/or screening call with recruitment to determine your fit for the role. The online test depends on the portal of application (e.g., if you apply through your school or university portal, referral, or as an experienced hire).
- First round: 2 interviews back-to-back with consultants or project managers.
- Second round: 2 interviews back-to-back with principals or partners. In some instances, a candidate can also have third-round interviews.
Each one of the interviewers will go through a behavioral or fit interview and a case interview, so you’ll have 4 case interviews and 4 behavioral interviews in total. Each interview lasts 〜45 minutes – 1 hour. This includes 15 minutes for behavioral questions and 30 minutes for 1 or 2 cases to test your business knowledge and approach to solving problems.
A few days after your interviews, the recruiting team will let you know whether or not you are moving on to the next round (or getting an offer).
Candidates are encouraged to apply 4-6 months before their ideal start date.
The Roland Berger Case Study Interview
As mentioned above, Roland Berger will have 2 – 3 rounds of interviews that include both behavioral and case questions. The firm uses case study interviews to test your analytical, conceptual, and communication abilities. Roland Berger interviewers focus more on your approach and how you structure your path to the solutions than on the solution itself.
The case interviews are interviewee (or candidate) led, meaning an open-ended case situation is presented by the interviewer and the candidate drives the approach to solving the case in a structured manner (similar to BCG and Bain interviews).
MCO’s 4-step approach to answering case interview questions can help you think through the case situation and develop a path to the solution:
- Step 1: Understand the question you are being asked. Take time to understand the case situation and the client’s problem. Ask the interviewer clarifying questions or for additional data if needed (note that you may not always be provided with the additional data you request).
- Step 2: Develop a structured approach to solving all key aspects of the problem. Ask for time to think through your approach focusing on the structure. Business frameworks can be a good way to break down the problem but remember, they are just a guide. It’s best to tailor your structure to the specific case you’re asked to solve.
- Step 3: Ask questions and use the information to form hypotheses and potential solutions. Share your approach with the interviewer and if the interviewer suggests any initial areas for analysis, follow their lead. Do any calculations required to identify the right course of action for the client.
- Step 4: Summarize your case persuasively. Synthesize the outcomes of your analysis and link back to the initial client problem and make your final recommendation.
During the interview, be prepared to be challenged and receive feedback. Communication is key and taking time to listen and reflect demonstrates that you’re able to stay calm.
Examples of Roland Berger case studies include electrical vehicle adoption in a European Country, coffee shop adoption, an insurance company with decreasing profits, and trends disrupting the automotive industry. Review the Roland Berger Careers page for practice case interviews and tips and tricks for the case interview.
For more on how to prepare for a Roland Berger case study interview, read our Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep.
The Roland Berger Behavioral Interview
Roland Berger uses behavioral interviews to understand your personality – your character, strength, and integrity. They value creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial consultants, and candidates are advised to demonstrate these qualities during their behavioral interviews.
The best way to respond to behavioral interview questions is to tell stories. This way you can demonstrate your experience and personality. A great way to ensure that your story is structured and relevant to the question asked is using the A STAR(E) framework. This framework can be used to prepare for the behavioral interviews and ensure you do not forget the important aspects of your story. Read more about the framework and how to prepare for these interviews here: Consulting Behavioral Interview Questions.
We suggest you prepare 5 – 6 relevant stories before the interview and practice, practice, practice (but not so much that your answers sound rehearsed or robotic). This will enable you to effectively communicate your experience and also calm your nerves during the interview. And remember, do not be afraid to use this opportunity to also gauge whether this is the right fit for you.
The Most Common Roland Berger Behavioral Questions
- Why are you interested in consulting?
- Why do you want to join Roland Berger?
- Why this particular office?
- Tell me about your work experience.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Is there anything not on your CV that you would like to share?
- What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
- What type of tasks do you anticipate as a consultant (or the specific role you are applying for)?
- Tell me a situation where you displayed leadership skills
- Tell me about a time when you had a conflict in a group setting.
- What specific things do you perceive about our firm, compared to other firms?
The Roland Berger Group Case Interview
Few firms do group case interviews but you may get a group case during the Roland Berger interview process, depending on the role and office you’re applying to. A group case interview is an interview with other candidates (typically 3 – 6) who work together to solve a business case. Check with your recruiting contact to find out if you’ll have a group case in your interview round.
Firms use group case interviews to test your teamwork skills in a high-pressure environment. Candidates are expected to work together to structure and analyze the problem and develop recommendations that are presented to the interviewers. These presentations can be done individually or as a group.
The key to passing the group case interviews is to ensure your group works together and is organized.
DO: make comments that help move the group’s organization or problem-solving forward.
DON’T: interrupt teammates or put down their ideas (though you can point out if ideas are not in line with the facts of the case).
Though group case interviews might be slightly different, candidates are encouraged to use the same approach as for individual cases: MCO’s proven 4-step approach. For more tips on how to prepare for and approach group case interviews, read our Consulting Group Case Interviews article.
Roland Berger Written Case Interview
Similar to the group interview, Roland Berger’s written case interview requires you to present your findings and recommendations after solving a case. However, unlike the group interview, this case is conducted solo.
In the written case interview, you will receive data containing 15 to 20 slides. You’ll be asked to review the material, answer the key questions, and prepare a slide presentation discussing your recommendations. The interviewer will leave the room during your preparation time.
The skills evaluated in the written case interview are similar to a normal case interview. Be prepared to get challenged on your recommendations, as this is often a deliberate strategy to test your critical thinking and client-facing skills (e.g., do you keep cool under pressure?).
Roland Berger’s written case interview is similar to other written case interviews that some firms, such as Bain or BCG, use. For additional insights, check out tips in our Written Case Interview article.
MCO’s 6 Tips on Acing the Roland Berger Interview
1. Go Through the Roland Berger Website.
Read about Roland Berger’s history and core values as this will provide you with insight into the teams, culture, and the type of work they do. It will also help you tailor your responses to behavioral interview questions to the firm’s culture.
2. Prepare and Practice 5–6 stories to Use in Behavioral Interviews Using the A STAR(E) Framework.
Roland Berger values entrepreneurship and independence in the way they work and in their consultants. Think about how your stories can demonstrate entrepreneurial skills. You don’t need to have started your own business before university (though it’s great if you have!) Tell stories that show you are a self-starter and don’t give up.
3. Be Methodical in Your Casing Prep
Commit to practicing regularly with a wide array of case partners. Make sure some are at your level and some are more experienced (and don’t turn down casing with a couple of beginners once you have more preparation).
4. Review Roland Berger Case Examples
The example cases provided on their website will get you familiar with the type of cases Roland Berger uses for interviews. Note that they frequently use Market Sizing Questions to assess quantitative skills and make sure you practice them.
5. Gain Some General & Business Knowledge about the Office Where You’re Interviewing
What is happening in the city? Country? What industries are in the region? What type of business problems does the office solve most often?
6. Finally, Have Fun with the Interviews.
The interviews are a good opportunity for you to determine whether consulting and Roland Berger are the right fit for you. Use this as an opportunity to understand the firm and its culture.
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In this article, we’ve covered:
- The history and culture of Roland Berger.
- The Roland Berger recruiting process.
- The Roland Berger case interview.
- The Roland Berger fit or behavioral interview.
- How to prepare for a group case interview.
- MCO’s top 6 tips on acing your Roland Berger interview.
Still have questions?
If you have more questions about the Roland Berger interview, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.
Other people prepping for their Roland Berger case study interview found the following pages helpful:
Help with Case Study Interview Prep
Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on consulting interview prep. My Consulting Offer has helped almost 85% of the people we’ve worked with to get a job in management consulting. We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Patrick was able to get his offer from Roland Berger.
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Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.
