Savills Consultant interview questions & guide 2026

Interviewing for a Consultant role at Savills focuses on your ability to combine technical financial acumen with the soft skills necessary for client management. While your specific experience will dictate some of the conversation, the following categories represent the core pillars of the assessment process.

Industry Knowledge and Commercial Awareness

These questions test your understanding of the current real estate market, your grasp of economic trends, and your ability to apply them to Savills' business model.

• How would you describe the current state of the commercial real estate market in your region?
• What do you consider to be the most significant challenge facing our industry in the next five years?

Preparation for a Consultant role should be strategic and comprehensive. Your interviewers are looking for a blend of technical competency and the "consulting mindset"—the ability to remain calm under pressure, structure your thoughts logically, and communicate clearly.

Role-related knowledge – This encompasses your understanding of property finance, valuation principles, and the specific market sector you are applying for. You should be prepared to discuss current market headlines and how they influence the work Savills does.

Problem-solving ability – You will likely face case-based questions or scenarios that test your analytical structure. Focus on articulating your thought process clearly; the interviewer is often more interested in how you arrive at a solution than the solution itself.

Culture fit and professional presence – Savills values a professional, approachable, and collaborative demeanor. Demonstrate your ability to work well in teams and your readiness to represent the firm in front of clients.

The interview process at Savills is designed to be thorough yet efficient, typically involving a blend of HR screenings, technical assessments, and panel interviews with senior leadership. You should expect a process that prioritizes both your technical "hard" skills—such as financial modeling or report writing—and your "soft" skills, specifically your ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

The process often begins with an initial screening call to verify your experience and motivation. Following this, you may be invited to a series of interviews with team members and senior directors. Some candidates report participating in "interview days" or networking events, which provide an excellent opportunity to meet the team in a less formal setting.

The visual timeline above illustrates the progression from initial contact to final decision. Use this to manage your preparation schedule; as you advance, the focus will shift from your resume and experience to your specific problem-solving approach and cultural fit within the team.

Technical Proficiency

You will be evaluated on your ability to handle financial and market data accurately. Whether it is through a formal test or a discussion of your past work, demonstrate your mastery of tools like Microsoft Excel and your understanding of financial statements.

Be ready to go over:

• Fundamental corporate finance and property valuation concepts.
• Data synthesis and the ability to draw actionable insights from raw numbers.
• Proficiency in software tools relevant to the specific sub-sector (e.g., retail, industrial, or residential).

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through a financial model you built for a previous project."
• "How do you verify the integrity of your data before presenting it to a client?"

Communication and Presentation

Consulting is a communication-heavy field. You must be able to take complex, multi-layered information and present it in a way that is digestible and compelling for a client.

Be ready to go over:

• Structuring a presentation to persuade or inform.
• Handling follow-up questions from an executive panel.
• Translating technical findings into plain language.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Give a 10-minute presentation on a property market trend of your choice."
• "How do you adjust your communication style when speaking to a technical expert versus a non-technical client?"

As a Consultant, you will be the backbone of client-facing projects. You will spend your days analyzing market data, preparing valuation reports, and conducting feasibility studies that inform multi-million pound decisions. You will work closely with other departments—such as Investment, Agency, and Research—to ensure that the advice provided to clients is comprehensive and evidence-based.

Beyond the analytical work, you are expected to be an active participant in business development. This means staying ahead of market shifts and identifying opportunities for the firm to provide value to new or existing clients. You will often manage the day-to-day execution of projects, ensuring that deadlines are met and that the high quality of work expected at Savills is maintained.

A strong candidate for this role demonstrates a balance of academic foundation and practical, hands-on experience.

• Must-have skills:

• Strong analytical and numerical skills.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• A deep interest in the real estate sector and current market trends.

• Nice-to-have skills:

• Professional qualifications (e.g., RICS accreditation or similar).

• Experience with real estate software or advanced financial modeling tools.

• Previous experience in a client-facing advisory or consulting role.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take? The timeline varies by location and team, but most candidates complete the process within a few weeks. It usually involves 2–3 stages, including an initial screen and subsequent team interviews.

Q: What is the best way to prepare for the technical assessment? Focus on your core finance knowledge. Brush up on valuation methodologies, financial statement analysis, and basic market math. Ensure you are comfortable navigating Excel without needing to rely on a mouse.

Q: Is the culture at Savills formal? While the firm is highly professional and holds itself to high standards, most candidates describe the interview process as relaxed and friendly. The team wants to see the real you, so stay professional but be yourself.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates? Successful candidates demonstrate not just the right technical answers, but a genuine curiosity about the market. They ask insightful questions about the firm’s strategy and show that they have done their research on Savills' recent projects.

• Structure your answers: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions to keep your responses concise and impactful.
• Know your resume: Be prepared to discuss every line of your CV in detail. If you mention a project, be ready to explain your specific contribution.
• Do your homework: Research recent deals or reports published by Savills. Mentioning these in your interview shows you are truly invested in the firm.
• Prepare questions for them: Always have 3–4 thoughtful questions ready. Ask about their team culture, the biggest challenges they are currently facing, or how the firm supports professional development.

The Consultant role at Savills is an exceptional opportunity to build a career at the forefront of the global real estate industry. By focusing on your analytical foundations, staying current with market trends, and demonstrating a clear, professional communication style, you will position yourself as a strong candidate.

Preparation is the key to success. Review the evaluation areas identified in this guide, practice articulating your experience, and stay confident in your ability to contribute to the firm's legacy. You have the skills and the drive to succeed—now take the time to refine your narrative and show the team at Savills exactly why you are the right fit for their team.

The compensation data above provides an overview of typical ranges for this role, but remember that total rewards often depend on your experience level, specific location, and the nuances of the business division. Use these figures as a benchmark for your own research and to help guide your expectations during the final stages of the interview process.