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?

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.