Be ready to go over:

• Structured Frameworks – Developing clear, customized issue trees to analyze industrial challenges rather than relying on generic, memorized business frameworks.
• Data Interpretation – Analyzing charts, operational metrics, and financial data with high attention to detail.
• Defending Recommendations – Confidently explaining the logic behind your conclusions and standing your ground when interviewers challenge your assumptions.

Example scenarios:

• Evaluating the economic and operational feasibility of a new car battery recycling facility, including sourcing raw materials, processing costs, and market demand.
• Helping a steel manufacturer identify bottlenecks in their production line to increase daily output without capital-intensive equipment upgrades.
• Conducting a market entry study for an energy provider looking to invest in hydrogen production infrastructure.

Behavioral & Situational Judgment

This area assesses your soft skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to navigate the collaborative but often high-pressure environment of client-facing consulting.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – Describing specific instances where you successfully navigated interpersonal friction with colleagues or clients.
• Collaborating with Diverse Personalities – Explaining how you adapt your communication style when working with individuals from different professional or cultural backgrounds.
• Leadership & Initiative – Highlighting situations where you took ownership of a deliverable, solved an ambiguous problem, or guided a team toward a goal.

Example scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to work with a senior stakeholder who disagreed with your analytical findings. How did you handle the conversation?"
• "Describe a situation where a team project was falling behind schedule. What steps did you take to get the team back on track?"

Cognitive & Critical Thinking

Through fast-paced cognitive assessments like the Wonderlic, Hatch measures your raw mental processing speed, logical reasoning, and ability to maintain accuracy under tight time constraints.

Be ready to go over:

• Rapid Problem Solving – Answering logical, mathematical, and verbal questions quickly and accurately.
• Attention to Detail – Identifying patterns, errors, or anomalies in data sets under pressure.
• Time Management – Strategically navigating a high-volume test (e.g., 50 questions in 12 minutes) by pacing yourself effectively.

Example scenarios:

• Solving rapid-fire word problems and logical sequence questions.
• Performing quick mental math and quantitative estimations.

As a Business Analyst at Hatch, your day-to-day activities will be dynamic, intellectually challenging, and highly collaborative. You will act as an integral part of project teams, working closely with clients, senior consultants, and technical engineers to deliver high-value strategies.

Your primary responsibilities will include conducting comprehensive market research, performing detailed financial and operational modeling, and synthesizing complex data sets into clear, executive-level insights. You will build cash flow models, perform sensitivity analyses, and construct operational frameworks that help clients understand the financial viability of their capital projects or strategic initiatives.

Collaboration is at the heart of the role. You will frequently work alongside Hatch's engineering teams to ensure that the technical designs and operational solutions proposed are economically sound and strategically aligned with the client’s broader business objectives. You will also participate in client workshops, prepare high-quality presentations, and actively contribute to structuring the final deliverables and recommendations that are presented directly to client leadership.

A successful candidate for the Business Analyst position at Hatch must demonstrate a strong balance of analytical capability, sector interest, and interpersonal maturity.

Must-Have Skills

• Analytical & Quantitative Skills – Proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, data analysis, and the ability to work comfortably with complex numerical data.
• Structured Communication – The ability to articulate complex business and technical concepts clearly, both in writing and during verbal presentations.
• Problem-Solving Rigor – A proven ability to break down complex, ambiguous problems and develop logical, structured solutions.
• Academic Background – A bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Economics, or a related quantitative field.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Industry Exposure – Prior internships, project work, or coursework related to metals, mining, energy, sustainability, or heavy infrastructure.
• Consulting Experience – Previous experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or advisory services.
• Advanced Tools – Familiarity with data visualization tools (such as Power BI or Tableau) or statistical analysis software.

Q: How difficult is the case study interview at Hatch? A: The case studies are generally described as highly practical and accessible, focusing more on your logical structuring and sector interest than on complex consulting frameworks. However, you must pay close attention to graphic details and be prepared to confidently defend your conclusions when challenged by the interviewer.

Q: What is the company culture like for Business Analysts? A: Hatch is known for having a highly supportive, collaborative, and friendly working environment. Senior leadership and managers are highly invested in mentoring junior analysts, and teamwork is prioritized over internal competition.

Q: How fast does the hiring process move? A: The timeline can vary by location and business demand, but the process is generally efficient. Some candidates receive offers within two weeks of their final rounds, while the entire process from application to offer typically takes about a month.

Q: Do I need an engineering degree to apply? A: No, an engineering degree is not required. While a technical background is highly valued due to Hatch's industrial focus, candidates with backgrounds in business, finance, economics, or other quantitative disciplines are highly competitive, provided they demonstrate a passion for the industries Hatch serves.

To maximize your performance throughout the Hatch interview process, keep these practical, insider-focused tips in mind:

• Show Passion for the Industry: Hatch is deeply embedded in metals, mining, energy, and infrastructure. Showing a genuine interest in these sectors, current trends (such as decarbonization and battery recycling), and the consulting lifestyle will set you apart from candidates who treat it as a generic consulting role.

• Master the STAR Method: For the behavioral and situational questions, structure your answers using the Situation, Task, Action, and Result framework. Focus heavily on the "Action" (what you specifically did) and the "Result" (the quantifiable business impact of your actions).

• Brush Up on Basic Industry Economics: You do not need to be an expert, but understanding basic economic concepts of capital projects—such as capital expenditure (CapEx), operational expenditure (OpEx), net present value (NPV), and supply chain logistics—will significantly boost your credibility during case discussions.

• Prepare Thoughtful Questions: The end of the interview is a critical opportunity to show your curiosity and professional maturity. Ask insightful questions about the types of projects the team is currently working on, the collaborative dynamic between consultants and engineers, or how the firm is helping clients navigate the energy transition.

The Business Analyst position at Hatch offers an exceptional opportunity to build a meaningful consulting career at the intersection of business strategy, heavy industry, and global sustainability. By helping clients solve their most complex operational and environmental challenges, you will gain invaluable exposure to capital-intensive projects and strategic decision-making processes that shape our world.

To succeed in this competitive interview process, focus your preparation on mastering structured problem-solving, practicing rapid-fire cognitive tests, and refining your behavioral stories to highlight leadership and collaboration. Most importantly, bring your genuine curiosity and passion for the industrial and energy sectors into every conversation.

The compensation data above represents the typical salary range and structure for this role. Use this information to align your expectations and prepare for future compensation discussions, keeping in mind that your final offer will reflect your experience level, geographic location, and overall interview performance. For more detailed company insights, interview reviews, and preparation resources, continue exploring the tools available on Dataford. Good luck with your preparation—you have all the tools you need to succeed.