What is a Consultant at Equinor?

A Consultant at Equinor is a strategic driver within one of the world’s leading energy companies. In this role, you are not merely an advisor; you are a catalyst for the company’s transition from an oil and gas giant to a broad energy powerhouse. You will work across diverse problem spaces, from optimizing upstream operations to scaling renewable energy portfolios like offshore wind and solar. Your work directly impacts Equinor’s ability to provide energy to over 170 million people while meeting ambitious net-zero targets.

The impact of this position is felt at the intersection of technical excellence and business strategy. Whether you are embedded in a project team in Stavanger, London, or Austin, you will be tasked with solving complex challenges that require a high degree of analytical rigor and stakeholder management. This role is critical because it bridges the gap between high-level corporate strategy and the operational realities of global energy production.

Candidates can expect a career defined by scale and responsibility. You will contribute to projects that are capital-intensive and technologically advanced, often involving multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, data scientists, and commercial experts. For those who thrive on complexity and want to influence the future of the global energy landscape, the Consultant role offers a unique platform for professional growth and strategic influence.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of standard behavioral questions and deep dives into your specific domain. The goal is to see how you apply your skills to the specific challenges faced by Equinor.

Motivation and Career Path

These questions test your interest in the energy sector and your long-term commitment to the company.

• Why are you interested in the energy industry at this specific point in time?
• How does the Consultant role at Equinor fit into your long-term career goals?
• What specific skills do you bring that differentiate you from other candidates?
• Describe your educational background and how it has shaped your professional identity.

Behavioral and Leadership

These questions use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to evaluate your past performance as a predictor of future success.

• Tell me about a time you had to manage a project with very tight deadlines.
• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?
• Give an example of a time you took the initiative to improve a process.
• How do you handle a situation where you realize you have made a mistake?

Problem Solving and Domain Knowledge

These questions assess your analytical capabilities and your understanding of the business.

• If you were tasked with reducing operational costs in a specific business unit, where would you start?
• How do you stay updated on changes and trends in the global energy market?
• Describe a complex problem you solved recently. What was your methodology?
• How do you prioritize tasks when you are managing multiple stakeholders with competing interests?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for Equinor requires a dual focus on your technical domain expertise and your alignment with the company’s core values. The interviewers are looking for candidates who are not only brilliant in their field but also possess the resilience and collaborative spirit necessary for a high-stakes energy environment.

Academic & Professional Foundation – Equinor places a high premium on educational background. For staff personnel, a Master’s degree is typically considered a mandatory requirement. You should be prepared to discuss your academic journey and how your specific studies have prepared you for the complexities of the energy sector.

Strategic Problem-Solving – You will be evaluated on your ability to structure ambiguous problems and derive actionable insights. Interviewers look for a logical flow in your thinking and the ability to consider safety, cost, and sustainability in every solution.

Collaborative Leadership – As a Consultant, your success depends on your ability to influence without formal authority. You must demonstrate how you communicate complex ideas to diverse stakeholders, from technical engineers to executive VPs.

Value Alignment – Equinor’s culture is built on being open, collaborative, courageous, and caring. You should have concrete examples of how you have embodied these values in your previous roles, particularly in high-pressure or safety-critical situations.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Equinor is thorough and reflects the company's commitment to long-term talent development. It is designed to evaluate both your immediate technical fit and your long-term potential within the organization. You should expect a process that is professional and structured, though the timeline can be deliberate, often spanning several weeks or even months from the initial application to the final offer.

Initially, the process often begins with a digital assessment or a brief video interview via platforms like HireVue. This stage focuses on your motivations and basic competencies. If you progress, you will move into more intensive rounds, which may include Skype or telephone interviews with hiring managers, followed by a comprehensive onsite interview or a full day of virtual panel sessions. These later stages involve deep dives into your professional experience and sessions with various stakeholders, including directors and occasionally Vice Presidents.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression from the initial digital screening to the final decision. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, ensuring they are ready for the shift from high-level motivational questions in the early rounds to intensive, stakeholder-led discussions in the final stages. Because the process can be lengthy, maintaining consistent engagement and preparation is key to success.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Academic and Professional Background

This area is foundational for Equinor. Because the company operates in a highly technical and regulated industry, they use your educational history as a proxy for your ability to handle complex information. You will be expected to give a detailed overview of your Master’s degree and any specialized certifications.

Be ready to go over:

• Thesis and Specialization – How your specific research or area of study applies to the energy industry.
• Career Progression – The logic behind your career moves and how each role has built your "consultant toolkit."
• Technical Certifications – Any industry-specific qualifications that demonstrate domain mastery.

Behavioral and Motivational Fit

Equinor uses behavioral interviewing to ensure you will thrive in their specific corporate culture. They want to understand "the why" behind your actions and how you navigate the interpersonal dynamics of a global firm.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – How you handle disagreements within a project team.
• Adaptability – Examples of how you have pivoted when project parameters or market conditions changed.
• Safety and Integrity – Your commitment to ethical standards and operational safety.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Why do you want to work for Equinor specifically, rather than another energy major?"
• "Describe a time you had to deliver a difficult message to a senior stakeholder."
• "How do you ensure your work meets high standards of accuracy and safety?"

Strategic and Analytical Thinking

As a Consultant, you are hired for your brainpower. These sessions test how you process information and whether you can think several steps ahead. While not always a formal "case study" in the McKinsey sense, the questions will often be situational and require a structured approach.

Be ready to go over:

• Data-Driven Decision Making – How you use metrics to support your recommendations.
• Risk Assessment – Identifying potential pitfalls in a project plan.
• Industry Trends – Your understanding of the energy transition and its impact on Equinor’s business model.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Scenario planning for volatile energy markets.
• Cross-functional project integration strategies.
• Sustainable development goals (SDG) integration in corporate projects.

Key Responsibilities

The day-to-day life of a Consultant at Equinor is characterized by variety and high-level coordination. You will act as a bridge between different business units, ensuring that strategic objectives are translated into operational success. This often involves leading workstreams within larger projects, where you are responsible for both the analytical output and the alignment of the team.

Your primary deliverables will include strategic reports, project roadmaps, and stakeholder presentations. You won't be working in a vacuum; you will be collaborating closely with engineers, financial analysts, and legal teams. A significant portion of your time will be spent in meetings and workshops, facilitating discussions that drive decision-making.

Typically, a Consultant might drive initiatives related to operational efficiency, such as digitalizing offshore workflows, or work on commercial strategies for new energy markets. You are expected to be proactive, identifying risks before they become issues and proposing solutions that balance short-term needs with Equinor’s long-term sustainability goals.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for a Consultant position, you must meet high standards for both education and experience. The company values a mix of deep technical knowledge and broad business acumen.

• Technical Skills – Proficiency in project management methodologies, data analysis tools (e.g., PowerBI, Excel), and a strong understanding of the energy value chain.
• Experience Level – Typically, candidates have several years of experience in management consulting, the energy industry, or a related complex field like aerospace or manufacturing.
• Soft Skills – Exceptional communication, the ability to work in a multicultural environment, and strong stakeholder management capabilities.

Must-have skills:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field (Business, Engineering, Economics, etc.).
• Proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
• Fluency in English (the corporate language), while knowledge of Norwegian can be an advantage depending on the location.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with renewable energy projects or carbon capture technology.
• Advanced certifications like PMP or Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience working in international locations or across different time zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process for a Consultant role? A: The difficulty is generally rated as average to high. The challenge lies not in "trick" questions, but in the depth of the discussion and the high standards for academic and professional background.

Q: How long does the recruitment process typically take? A: It can be a slow process, often taking three to four months. This is due to the thoroughness of the evaluations and the coordination required between different international offices and senior leadership.

Q: Is a Master’s degree really a hard requirement? A: Yes, for staff and consultant positions, Equinor strongly emphasizes advanced degrees. It is very rare for a candidate to be hired into these roles without a Master’s degree or equivalent high-level professional qualification.

Q: What is the work culture like for Consultants? A: The culture is highly collaborative and values-driven. There is a strong emphasis on work-life balance, particularly in Norwegian locations, but the work itself is high-pressure and demands a high degree of accountability.

Other General Tips

• Research the Energy Transition: Be prepared to discuss Equinor’s specific strategy for becoming a net-zero company by 2050. Familiarize yourself with their investments in renewables and low-carbon solutions.
• Master the STAR Method: For every behavioral question, ensure your answer has a clear Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Focus heavily on the Action you took and the Result you achieved.
• Understand the Global Context: Equinor is a Norwegian company with a massive international footprint. Show that you understand how to work across different cultures and regulatory environments.
• Prepare Your Own Questions: Interviewers expect you to have thoughtful questions about the team structure, current project challenges, and the company’s future direction. This demonstrates your engagement and strategic thinking.

Summary & Next Steps

The Consultant role at Equinor is a prestigious and impactful position that offers the chance to work at the forefront of the global energy transition. It is a role that demands a unique blend of academic excellence, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership. By preparing for a thorough, multi-stage process that values your educational background as much as your professional achievements, you can position yourself as a top-tier candidate.

Focus your preparation on your ability to solve complex problems and your alignment with Equinor’s core values. Remember that the interviewers are looking for a long-term fit—someone who is not only a capable consultant today but a future leader within the organization. Use the insights provided in this guide to structure your study and practice your delivery.

The salary data reflects the competitive nature of the Consultant role at Equinor. Compensation packages typically include a base salary, performance-based bonuses, and an industry-leading benefits package. When reviewing these figures, consider the location and the specific business area, as these can influence the final offer. Focused preparation on the areas outlined in this guide will significantly improve your ability to secure a position at the higher end of the range. For more detailed insights and community-driven data, you can continue your research on Dataford.