Joining the Firm
- The process for graduating seniors
- The process for industry hires
- Summer internship
- What attributes we look for ... and why
- How we interview; Preparing for an interview
- Your responsibilities: before and after the interview
The process for graduating seniors
Novantas seeks new associates from leading US and European universities. Information meetings and interviews for graduating seniors are conducted on campus during the fall. You can find out about timing through the Undergraduate Career Services office at your University, or by emailing Novantas at info@novantas.com.
The recruiting process begins with a review of your resume, supplied to us by interested candidates through their University Careers Services offices. Candidates provide a resume and cover letter describing their interests and experience. Based on this, we schedule a series of calls to begin a dialogue with the candidate, and describe the timing and expectations for the interview process.
This telephone discussion, along with the information contained in this web site, is your chance to learn about the interview process. We are looking to give you every opportunity to come across well during interviews, and helping you prepare is one of the best ways to do so. During the phone call, we might also ask you to work through a simple case or two. Based on your resume, cover letter, phone discussions, and case performance, we determine whether it makes sense to invite you to interview with the Firm. Typically an interview is scheduled at that time, or during a follow up call.
On-campus interviews primarily serve to evaluate quantitative and analytical problem-solving skills. Interviews typically involve case work, in which the candidate is provided the elements of a business situation and is asked to develop a methodology for resolution.
A brief interlude: Case work is a learned skill. The more you practice, the better you will present yourself. On-campus meetings are almost exclusively dedicated to case work and successful candidates will demonstrate a strong capability to filter the facts of the case, develop hypotheses and a framework for analysis, analyze the available data, and present a compelling solution. If you are not very familiar with the case work approach to problem solving, learn it. Virtually all consulting and investment firms use case work extensively in the interview process, and many leading corporations have begun to use cases in interviews for their high potential positions. You can try a few practice cases by following this link to practice cases.
Candidates demonstrating strong business problem solving skills will be invited to visit Novantas in one of our offices for a final round of interviews, meetings and socializing with the team. Candidates will have the opportunity to meet with all levels of professional staff and interview with several Managing Directors. In office interviews consist of cases with quantitative and qualitative components. The in office meetings also provide you an opportunity to learn about the work we do.
Candidates are usually informed of the outcome of on campus interviews by phone within 1–2 days. We follow up on in–office interviews by mail and phone within 2–3 days. For admitted candidates, we typically discuss by phone our expectations for the decision process and timing, answer any questions, and arrange a follow-up meeting at our offices with the other admitted candidates and current staff.
The process for industry hires
Since its inception, demand for Novantas services has grown faster than we can service with professionals sourced through on-campus recruiting. The Firm therefore complements its on campus recruiting by admitting industry hires on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year.
Many of the individuals we hire are selected from the best staff from competitor consulting or information services firms. These individuals typically seek an environment that rewards exceptional performance with exceptional advancement and financial rewards, rather than maintaining cohort classes as is the pattern at many of the general purpose firms.
Many of the senior technology professionals who join the Firm are seeking a more comprehensive experience where technology and business problem solving are more integrated than at traditional consulting firms. Opportunities are available in general technology roles such as network management, as well as specific information product-development opportunities for DBA's and developers.
Other individuals we find are former consultants who moved to client organizations in the past, and have decided to return to consulting. We find this combination of consulting and industry experience provides the individual a distinctive perspective that contributes to success as an advisor to industry. Usually, these individuals have two to five years of consulting and industry tenure, and join Novantas as Senior Associates or Managers, depending on their specific skills and experience.
Those joining the Firm at more senior management levels typically possess a track record of extraordinary achievement and a distinctive reputation among clients we serve.
Individuals seeking to discuss opportunities should contact Novantas at info@novantas.com. All inquiries and discussions will be held in strictest confidence.
Summer internship
We hire a few summer interns each year from selected schools. Summer internships are structured to provide a realistic experience in consulting. Compensation is highly competitive and the work content is essentially the same as any new Associate would take on.
Summer intern interviews are held during the spring, and in accordance with the requirements of the Undergraduate Career Service offices of the Universities, we manage the process in conformance with school policies for contact, interview scheduling, and decision period. Information is available at the Career Services Office, or by contacting info@novantas.com
What attributes we look for ... and why
Ask any consulting firm or investment bank what kind of people they look for. Most likely you will hear some variation on five themes:
- Extremely smart
- Analytical
- Good with People
- Highly motivated
- Works well in teams
Big surprise. Everyone is looking for the same type of candidate. Of course they are. Who wants unmotivated, anti-social morons?
We are clearly looking for the best candidates from the best schools. But aside from platitudes, what does it mean to be "the best candidate"? For us, best usually means the following:
- High "get–it" quotient
- Clock speed: How fast are you smart?
- Problem solving obsession and tenacity
- Confidence in the work you produce
- Comfort in the absence of structure
- Intense self–discipline and intellectual productivity
- Objectivity, without loss of the objective
- Relentless determination
- Social grace, self–assurance and diverse interests
- Demonstrated achievement and leadership
- Decisiveness: Ability to develop hypotheses without waiting for all of the data
How we interview; preparing for an interview
Novantas interviews are structured around case situations and problem solving. Most interviewers begin by asking you to describe your background, skills, interests, and attributes that would make you a good member of a problem solving team. Think about your answers to this before you sit down in an interview room. Appearing unprepared, particularly in describing yourself, is a poor way to begin.
The main part of the interview consists of solving business cases. Occasionally, interviewers ask you to solve math problems in addition to business cases, particularly if it is not obvious that you have a strong quantitative background.
The case is not a test, but rather the basis of a dialogue between you and your interviewer. Some do's and don'ts are described in the case preparation section, but at a minimum, you should anticipate how you will approach a case interview and seek some feedback from friends or family as to how your approach comes across. For example, once you have the basic information from the interviewer, do you intend to ask questions to gather more data? Or ask questions to validate your analytical framework? Or describe how you are going to solve the case? Or raise the important business issues as you see them? There are many ways to approach problem solving, and you should at least have practiced how you intend to do so prior to walking into the interview room.
Finally, you will have some time to ask some questions of the interviewer. Before your interview, think about what questions or concerns you have. Try to answer the question yourself, and test as to whether its a good question or frivolous. Not having questions, or asking frivolous questions, are usually perceived as a lack of interest on your part.
Your responsibilities: before and after the process
The application process is a bilateral evaluation: We are sizing you up while you are sizing us up. We recognize that you have other options, and you recognize that we do as well. We of course, have the first decision to make, but you have the final call on where you begin your career. Our mutual objective once you have an offer is to help you make the best choice for you.
You need to help us achieve this objective by using the process to gather information in support of your decision.
In the weeks before the interview:
- Catch up on business news. Read the Wall Street Journal and other new business newspapers. If you don't already know basic economic facts, learn them.
- Take some time to learn about the consulting industry. Understand the differences between consulting firms.
- As with your college selection process, you should get to know the institutions you are interested in before applying for admission. Our alumni and this website are among the best ways to learn about Novantas. To understand more about the content of our work, access the What We Think section of the site and download selected articles and speeches. Do the same with our competitors so you understand the difference in work approach and content
- Read about and practice case interview techniques
- Think through how you will respond to "tell me about yourself".
After the interview:
- Ask the greeter for the interviewer's e–mail address; send a one line thanks
- Make sure the greeter has your correct contact information and the best times to contact you in the next few days
- Ask yourself if you learned what you need to know about the Firm. If you were offered a position tomorrow, what kinds of questions might you have? Use email to follow up with your interviewer or greeter to address your questions.