What is a Consultant at TotalEnergies?

A Consultant at TotalEnergies plays a pivotal role in navigating the company through the most significant transformation in its history. As the organization transitions from a traditional oil and gas major to a global multi-energy company, internal consultants act as the strategic engine driving operational efficiency, digital transformation, and sustainable energy initiatives. You are not just an advisor; you are an architect of change within a company that powers millions of lives daily.

The impact of this role is felt across diverse business segments, from Renewables & Power to Refining & Chemicals. You will be tasked with solving complex problems that directly influence how TotalEnergies scales its green energy portfolio while optimizing its legacy assets. This requires a unique blend of analytical rigor and the ability to influence stakeholders in a high-stakes, international environment.

What makes this position particularly compelling is the scale of the challenge. You will contribute to projects that define the future of energy, working alongside experts to implement strategies that balance profitability with the global drive toward Net Zero. For a professional looking to exert influence at a global scale, this role offers a front-row seat to the energy transition.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of experience-based questions and "fit" questions that probe your resilience and motivation.

Behavioral & Leadership

These questions test your alignment with TotalEnergies' values and your ability to lead without formal authority.

• Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline. How did you handle it?
• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member.
• What is your leadership style when managing a project under tight constraints?
• Give an example of a time you went above and beyond your role to ensure a project's success.

Experience & Operational

These questions focus on your ability to deliver results in a corporate setting.

• Walk me through your most complex project. What was your specific contribution?
• How do you handle a situation where your recommendation is rejected by a senior leader?
• Describe your process for gathering requirements from a new internal client.
• How do you ensure that the changes you implement are maintained after you leave the project?

Motivation & Industry

These questions assess whether you have done your homework on the company and the sector.

• What do you think is the biggest challenge facing TotalEnergies in the next five years?
• How do you stay updated on trends in the energy industry?
• Why are you choosing internal consulting over external consulting?
• What does "pioneer spirit" mean to you in the context of your work?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Consultant role should be multifaceted, focusing equally on your analytical capabilities and your alignment with the company’s evolving mission. Interviewers are looking for candidates who demonstrate a "multi-energy mindset"—the ability to think critically about traditional energy constraints while spotting opportunities in the renewable sector.

Strategic Motivation – At TotalEnergies, "why" matters as much as "how." Interviewers evaluate your genuine interest in the energy sector and your commitment to the company’s transition goals. You can demonstrate strength here by referencing specific TotalEnergies projects or sustainability reports that resonate with your professional background.

Problem-Solving & Structure – You will be assessed on how you decompose complex business problems into actionable workstreams. Interviewers look for a logical, data-driven approach to ambiguity. To succeed, practice structuring your thoughts using clear frameworks and prioritize solutions based on their potential impact on the business.

Stakeholder Influence – As a consultant, your success depends on your ability to mobilize teams you do not directly manage. Interviewers evaluate your communication style and your ability to navigate a large, hierarchical organization. Focus on demonstrating empathy, resilience, and clarity in your previous professional experiences.

Operational Agility – The energy landscape changes rapidly, and so do the priorities at TotalEnergies. You must show that you can adapt to new information and pivot strategies without losing momentum. Highlighting instances where you successfully managed shifting deadlines or project scopes will be critical.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Consultant position at TotalEnergies is designed to be thorough yet accessible, focusing heavily on personal fit and professional trajectory. Candidates can generally expect a structured progression that moves from initial screening to deeper operational and leadership evaluations. The pace is typically professional and measured, reflecting the company’s emphasis on long-term cultural alignment over rapid-fire technical testing.

A distinctive feature of the TotalEnergies process is the involvement of peer consultants early in the journey. This allows you to gain a realistic view of the daily work while the company assesses how you would integrate into the team dynamic. Expect a strong focus on your previous experiences and a deep dive into your motivations for joining a company at the forefront of the energy transition.

The visual timeline above outlines the typical stages a candidate will navigate, starting from the initial HR outreach to the final executive review. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, ensuring they save enough energy and "big picture" thinking for the final rounds with department directors.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Strategic and Analytical Thinking

This area is the cornerstone of the Consultant role. Interviewers want to see how you process information and whether you can identify the "so what" behind a set of data points. At TotalEnergies, this isn't just about abstract logic; it's about applying that logic to the energy industry's specific challenges.

Be ready to go over:

• Market Trends – Understanding the shift from fossil fuels to electricity and renewables.
• Business Case Development – Evaluating the ROI of internal projects or new market entries.
• Risk Assessment – Identifying operational, financial, or reputational risks in a project plan.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you prioritize a portfolio of decarbonization projects with limited capital?"
• "Describe a time you had to make a strategic recommendation based on incomplete data."

Behavioral Fit and Motivation

TotalEnergies is a company with a very strong internal culture and a clear set of values (Safety, Respect for Each Other, Pioneer Spirit, Standing Together, and Performance Minded). The "fit" interviews are designed to see if you will thrive in a large, multi-national corporate environment.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – How you handle disagreements with senior stakeholders or peers.
• Mission Alignment – Your personal views on the energy transition and TotalEnergies' role in it.
• Adaptability – Your experience working in different geographical or functional areas.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Why TotalEnergies specifically, and why now?"
• "Tell me about a time you had to convince a skeptical stakeholder to adopt a new process."

Operational Excellence

As an internal consultant, you are often the bridge between strategy and execution. You must demonstrate that you understand how a large-scale industrial company operates on the ground.

Be ready to go over:

• Project Management – Your familiarity with methodologies like Agile, Lean, or traditional Waterfall.
• Change Management – How you ensure that new strategies are actually adopted by the workforce.
• Process Optimization – Identifying bottlenecks in existing workflows.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through a project you managed from inception to delivery."
• "How do you measure the success of a consulting engagement after the final presentation is delivered?"

Key Responsibilities

As a Consultant at TotalEnergies, your primary responsibility is to serve as a trusted advisor to various internal business units. You will lead or support high-impact projects that range from organizational design to the implementation of new digital tools. Your goal is to provide objective, data-backed insights that help department heads make better decisions.

You will spend a significant portion of your time collaborating with cross-functional teams. This involves facilitating workshops, interviewing subject matter experts, and synthesizing their input into cohesive strategies. You are the "glue" that connects high-level corporate strategy with the day-to-day realities of operational teams in the field.

Typical deliverables include strategic roadmaps, financial models, and executive presentations. However, the role goes beyond documentation; you are expected to drive the implementation phase, ensuring that the changes you recommend are sustainable and deliver the intended business value.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful candidate for the Consultant position typically brings a mix of elite problem-solving skills and a pragmatic understanding of the industrial sector.

• Technical skills – Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau), advanced Excel modeling, and project management software. Familiarity with energy market dynamics is a significant advantage.
• Experience level – Generally, 3–7 years of experience in management consulting (Big 4 or strategy boutiques) or an internal strategy role within a large industrial group.
• Soft skills – Exceptional communication skills in English (and often French, depending on the location), stakeholder management, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Must-have skills:

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proven track record of managing complex projects.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Specific expertise in renewable energy, hydrogen, or carbon capture technologies.
• Experience with large-scale digital transformation or ERP implementations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical is the interview for a Consultant role? A: While it is not a "coding" or "engineering" interview, you are expected to be highly "business-technical." This means being comfortable with data, financial concepts, and the basic mechanics of how an energy company operates.

Q: What is the work-life balance like for internal consultants? A: Generally, it is more stable than at external strategy firms. While there are peaks during major project milestones, TotalEnergies emphasizes a sustainable working environment compared to the "up or out" culture of traditional consulting.

Q: Is French mandatory for this role? A: For roles based in Paris (La Défense) or other French locations, French is often highly preferred or required for daily stakeholder interaction, even if the official "working language" is English. For international locations, English is the primary requirement.

Q: How long does the hiring process take? A: The process can move from initial screen to offer in 4–8 weeks, depending on the availability of senior directors for the final rounds.

Other General Tips

• Master the "Multi-Energy" Narrative: Don't just talk about oil or just about wind. Talk about the integration of different energy sources. This is the core of the company's current strategy.
• Prepare Your "Why TotalEnergies": This is often the most important question. Be specific—mention their recent acquisitions in the solar space or their commitment to specific geographical markets.
• Structure Your Experience: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method for all behavioral questions. TotalEnergies interviewers appreciate concise, results-oriented storytelling.
• Showcase International Mindset: Even if you are applying for a local role, emphasize any experience you have working with diverse teams or in different cultural contexts.

Summary & Next Steps

The Consultant role at TotalEnergies is a high-visibility position that offers the chance to influence the trajectory of a global energy leader. The interview process is designed to find individuals who are not only analytically sharp but also deeply motivated by the company’s mission and capable of navigating its complex, international structure. Successful candidates are those who can blend professional excellence with a genuine "pioneer spirit."

To prepare effectively, focus on articulating your past successes through the lens of strategic impact and stakeholder management. Ensure you have a clear, well-researched perspective on the energy transition and how TotalEnergies is positioned within it. By demonstrating both your technical readiness and your cultural alignment, you will stand out as a top-tier candidate.

The salary data reflects the competitive nature of the Consultant role within the energy sector. Compensation at TotalEnergies typically includes a solid base salary complemented by performance-related bonuses and an extensive benefits package. When reviewing these figures, consider the total value proposition, including the company's investment in long-term career development and the stability of a global major. For more detailed insights into specific team cultures and interview patterns, continue your research on Dataford.