Kearney · Business analyst / associate · Business Analyst (undergraduate) / Associate (MBA / advanced degree)

Recruiter / screening conversation

Early screening conversation covering background, motivation and alignment with Kearney values

What they actually ask

The question shapes this round uses. Larpy does not read these out. It builds each one from your own resume, because the generic version is the one you have already rehearsed.

“Tell me about yourself and walk me through your background.”
“Why consulting, and why Kearney?”
“What do you know about our values and the work we do?”
“What are you looking for in your next role?”
“What questions do you have about Kearney?”

What this round is judged on

Motivation · a researched, specific reason for Kearney over other firms
Authenticity · Kearney names it as its first interviewing tip
Background fit · level and trajectory match for Business Analyst or Associate
Communication · concise, clear and confident, which Kearney names explicitly
Two-way engagement · real questions about the firm and the work

Where this round sits

Kearney’s published process. Lime marks the stage this round runs.

01
Application & screeningthis round
02
Competency assessment (role-dependent, not simulated here)
03
Behavioral interviews
04
Case interview (not simulated here)
05
Full interview slate
06
Offer decision

What happens in each stage›

Application & screening: Application through Kearney's global jobs board, followed by a screen. Kearney frames it as deliberately not score-driven: 'the spotlight isn't on just application forms or exam scores; it's about the people.' Its specialist track explicitly begins after screening.
Competency assessment (role-dependent, not simulated here): Kearney says general consulting candidates 'may also be asked to complete an additional competency assessment piece', and that specialist processes may include 'technical and functional competency assessments'. Format and vendor are not published. Not a spoken round, so out of scope here.
Behavioral interviews: Kearney's own term, and a distinct named interview type rather than a preamble to the case. Described as 'a classic get-to-know-you conversation where you share your past experiences, the setting, people, and influences shaping your decisions', plus 'your purpose, passions, interests, personality'. Conducted by consultants. This is the round this product simulates.
Case interview (not simulated here): Kearney asks candidates 'to provide a solution to a new challenge' and stresses 'we are more interested in the solution that you truly believe is best, not the one you think we want to hear.' Candidate-led and hypothesis-driven rather than a scripted question sequence. Verbal, not coding, and excluded from this product by design.
Full interview slate: For general consulting Kearney states the process 'typically consists of four to five interviews of behavioral and case interviews'. How that slate splits into a first round and a final round is not published by Kearney and is candidate-reported. Specialist roles run three to five interviews; internal roles two to three behavioral interviews.
Offer decision: Judged against Kearney's core values as well as case performance. Kearney does not publish turnaround times.

Sources

Built from what Kearney publishes about its own process. No leaked question lists. The questions you get are generated against your own resume, so they are not from anyone else's interview.

companyKearney Careers, Our recruiting processkearney.com
General consulting 'typically consists of four to five interviews of behavioral and case interviews'; specialists run three to five after screening; internal roles two to three; the optional 'additional competency assessment piece'; interviews conducted by consultants; definitions of the behavioral and case interview types.
companyKearney Careers, Ace the interviewkearney.com
The five named fit dimensions ('curiosity, capacity for generosity, boldness, solidarity, and passions'); the explicit STAR endorsement; 'not looking for the loudest candidate or the one who uses the most consulting buzzwords'; case preparation flagged 'for consultant roles only'.
companyKearney Careers, Crack the casekearney.com
Hypothesis-driven, candidate-led case guidance: 'Hypothesize', 'avoid forcing your solution to fit a standard framework', 'think top down', and 'be coachable... At the same time, be firm about the things you believe in'.
companyKearney Careers, Case example: promotional planningkearney.com
A single open question plus an additional-information block released on request, with answer guidelines structured as identify issues, formulate hypothesis, validate and refine, synthesize, recommend.
companyKearney Careers, General consulting roleskearney.com
The consulting level ladder: business analyst, senior business analyst, associate, manager, principal, associate partner, partner.
companyKearney Careers, Undergraduate and advanced degreeskearney.com
Business analyst as the undergraduate entry role and the 10-week summer business analyst program.
companyKearney Careers, MBA degreeskearney.com
Summer associate and full-time associate as the MBA-level entry roles.

Sources last checked August 11, 2026. Hiring loops change, so this date is the honest limit on everything above.

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