What is a Consultant at AArete?

The Consultant role at AArete is a dynamic position that sits at the intersection of data analytics, strategic implementation, and operational improvement. Unlike traditional consulting roles that may focus heavily on high-level strategy, AArete prides itself on a "data-first" approach. In this role, you are expected to not only identify opportunities for cost reduction and profitability improvement but also to drive the implementation of those strategies alongside client teams.

You will be working on complex business problems where data is the primary driver of decision-making. Consultants at AArete are often tasked with analyzing large datasets to find non-labor cost savings, optimizing supply chains, or improving operational efficiencies. You will work closely with Managers and Directors to translate raw numbers into actionable business intelligence. This role requires a unique blend of technical proficiency—specifically in Excel and data handling—and the soft skills necessary to present findings to stakeholders convincingly.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for the AArete interview process requires a balanced focus on technical execution and consulting fundamentals. You should approach your preparation with the mindset of a problem solver who backs up every recommendation with hard data.

Your interviewers will primarily evaluate you on the following criteria:

Data Proficiency & Technical Skills – This is critical at AArete. You must demonstrate the ability to manipulate data efficiently. Interviewers will test your hands-on skills with Excel, looking for fluency in pivot tables, lookups, and data organization.

Analytical Problem Solving – Beyond just crunching numbers, you need to show you can interpret them. You will be evaluated on your ability to handle case studies that involve mental math, verbal calculations, and logical structuring of business problems.

Communication & Presence – As a client-facing consultant, you must be articulate and professional. Evaluation in this area focuses on how well you can synthesize complex information into clear narratives and how you handle pressure during real-time questioning.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at AArete is generally structured to validate your technical baseline early before moving into behavioral and case-based assessments. While the process is often described as straightforward, the pace can vary significantly; some candidates move from initial contact to offer very quickly, while others experience gaps in communication. The company frequently utilizes LinkedIn for proactive outreach, so don't be surprised if your process begins with a direct message rather than an application.

You should expect a multi-stage process that begins with a recruiter screen to assess high-level fit and interest. This is typically followed by a technical assessment—usually an Excel test—which serves as a pass/fail gate. If you succeed there, you will move to rounds involving Managers, Senior Consultants, and Directors. These later rounds are a hybrid of behavioral interviews and case studies. The case studies here are often verbal and calculation-heavy, requiring you to be comfortable running numbers out loud without a spreadsheet in front of you.

This timeline illustrates a funnel that starts with behavioral screening and quickly narrows into technical verification. You should interpret the "Assessment" stage as a critical hurdle; unlike some firms where the case study is the only test, AArete places significant weight on the Excel assessment. Plan your energy to ensure you are technically sharp for the early stages and mentally fresh for the back-to-back interviews in the final rounds.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed at AArete, you must be prepared for a rigorous evaluation of both your hard skills and your business logic. Based on candidate experiences, the following areas are the most heavily scrutinized.

Technical Data Skills (Excel Assessment)

This is the most distinct part of the AArete process compared to generalist consulting firms. You will likely face a timed Excel assignment. The goal is to prove you can handle the day-to-day analytical workload of a Consultant.

Be ready to go over:

• Core Functions – VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and IF statements.
• Data Aggregation – Creating and manipulating Pivot Tables to summarize large data sets.
• Formatting & Cleaning – Taking "messy" data and standardizing it for analysis.
• Speed & Accuracy – Completing tasks under a time limit without errors.

Example scenarios:

• "Analyze this raw dataset of vendor spend and identify the top three categories of waste."
• "Use a pivot table to summarize sales data by region and apply a filter to exclude specific outliers."

Case Study & Analytical Thinking

The case study portion at AArete is often conducted verbally or with pen and paper during an interview. Candidates frequently report that these cases involve "numbers you haven't used regularly," meaning you need to be comfortable with mental math and estimation.

Be ready to go over:

• Profitability Cases – Analyzing revenue and cost drivers to improve margins.
• Mental Math – Performing multiplication, division, and percentage calculations verbally without a calculator.
• Business Logic – Explaining why a certain cost-cutting measure makes sense operationally, not just financially.

Example scenarios:

• "Estimate the market size for a specific product in Chicago."
• "A client has seen a 20% drop in profitability despite flat revenue. Walk me through how you would diagnose the problem."
• "Here are the revenue figures for three years. Calculate the CAGR and tell me if this is a good investment."

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

AArete looks for candidates who are resilient, collaborative, and capable of working in a fast-paced environment. Interviewers want to see that you can navigate team dynamics and client expectations.

Be ready to go over:

• Past Experience – Walking through your resume and explaining transitions between roles.
• Conflict Resolution – Handling disagreements with teammates or difficult client situations.
• Adaptability – Examples of how you managed a project where the scope changed or data was missing.

Example questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder."
• "Describe a situation where you had to learn a new tool or skill quickly to complete a project."

Key Responsibilities

As a Consultant, your day-to-day work will be heavily grounded in data analysis and project execution. You are the engine room of the engagement team, responsible for turning hypotheses into validated insights.

• Data Analysis & Modeling: You will spend a significant portion of your time in Excel and other data tools. This involves cleaning client data, building financial models, and identifying trends that support cost-reduction strategies.
• Client Deliverables: You will assist in creating decks and reports that summarize findings. While Managers may lead the presentation, you are responsible for the accuracy and visual clarity of the supporting data.
• Market Research: You will conduct external research to benchmark client performance against industry standards, helping to justify recommendations with market evidence.
• Implementation Support: Unlike pure strategy roles, you will often help clients execute the changes you recommend, which requires tracking progress and validating savings over time.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for the Consultant position, you need a specific mix of hard and soft skills.

• Must-have skills:

  • Advanced Excel: This is non-negotiable. You must be comfortable with intermediate-to-advanced functions (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs) before you start.
  • Analytical Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
  • Communication: The ability to explain complex data insights simply and clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • SQL & Visualization Tools: Experience with SQL, Tableau, or PowerBI is increasingly valuable as data sets grow larger.
  • Industry Experience: Prior exposure to Healthcare, Higher Education, or Financial Services (common AArete industries) can be a differentiator.
  • Consulting Experience: Previous internships or full-time roles in professional services are beneficial but not always required if the analytical skillset is strong.

Common Interview Questions

The questions below are compiled from candidate reports and reflect the actual inquiries you may face. AArete interviewers tend to mix standard behavioral questions with specific technical checks.

Behavioral & Experience

• "Walk me through your resume and explain why you want to move into consulting now."
• "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?"
• "Why AArete specifically, and what do you know about our work?"
• "Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from it?"
• "How do you prioritize tasks when you are overwhelmed with work?"

Case & Technical

• "If I gave you a dataset with 50,000 rows of vendor transactions, how would you start analyzing it for cost savings?"
• "Walk me through how you would build a pivot table to show spend by category and quarter."
• "A client is looking to reduce non-labor costs by 15%. What areas would you look at first?"
• "Calculate the break-even point for a company with [X] fixed costs and [Y] margin per unit. (Verbal math)"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the Excel assessment? It is generally considered "Intermediate." You don't need to know VBA or macros, but you must be flawless with Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and basic data formatting. Speed is often the biggest challenge, so practice doing these tasks quickly.

Q: Is the work remote or onsite? The position is often advertised as hybrid, centered around hubs like Chicago. However, consulting work often requires travel to client sites. Be prepared to discuss your willingness to travel, as this is a standard expectation for the role.

Q: How long does the interview process take? The timeline varies significantly. Some candidates report a very fast process (2-3 weeks), while others have experienced delays or gaps in communication lasting over a month. It is important to be patient but proactive in following up.

Q: What is the culture like for Consultants? The culture is described as collaborative but hardworking. As a Consultant, you are expected to be a self-starter. The environment rewards those who can take ownership of their work streams without constant supervision.

Other General Tips

Polish Your Mental Math: Since you may not have a spreadsheet during the case interview, practice doing rough calculations in your head. Being able to quickly estimate "15% of 2 million" without stumbling builds immense credibility.

Refresh Your Excel Shortcuts: During the assessment, using keyboard shortcuts can save you valuable minutes. Efficiency is a proxy for competence in these tests. If you are fumbling through menus, it signals you aren't ready for the daily workload.

Proactive Communication is Key:

Know the "Why": When answering case questions, don't just give the number. Explain the business implication. AArete focuses on implementation and results, so tie your answers back to how the client actually saves money or improves processes.

Summary & Next Steps

The Consultant role at AArete is an excellent opportunity for analytical professionals who want to apply their data skills to real-world business challenges. It is a role that demands technical precision in Excel and the strategic mindset to apply those insights to client problems. The interview process is designed to test these two capabilities rigoroulsy.

To succeed, focus your preparation on mastering the Excel assessment and practicing verbal case studies. Ensure your behavioral stories highlight your adaptability and client-facing maturity. While the process can sometimes be unpredictable regarding timelines, your technical readiness is the one variable you can fully control.

The compensation for this role typically aligns with boutique consulting standards. When interpreting salary data, remember that total compensation in consulting often includes a base salary plus a performance-based bonus. Ensure you understand the full package structure when discussing an offer.

You have the skills to navigate this process. Approach the data assessment with confidence, communicate your logic clearly during the case study, and you will be well-positioned to secure an offer. Good luck!