Below is a selection of frequently asked questions from our applicants. Please click on the questions that interest you to find the answers.
If you cannot find what you are looking for please email your questions to –
For Graduate Recruitment (full-time and internship) enquiries, please email recruitment@occstrategy.com
For Experienced Hire and MBA Recruitment (full-time) enquiries, please email MBAEXP@occstrategy.com
Work at OC&C
- What is the typical career path at OC&C?
- What is the typical project duration / composition?
- What are the average working hours per week?
- What is the salary & holiday allowance?
- How many projects will I be working on at the same time?
- What training can I expect to receive?
- Do you travel a lot?
- Do you do pro bono work?
Applications - All
- How can I find out if you are recruiting at my level?
- When does your Associate Consultant entry level vacancy open?
- How do I know if my application was submitted successfully? When should I expect to hear a response?
- When do you start to review applications?
- Can I submit my application to more than one office?
- What criteria do you use to judge CVs and in considering applications?
- How do you assess the interview?
- What can I expect from the interview process?
- If I’m turned down after an interview or on my application, when can I reapply?
International Applications
- I have been invited to interview with OC&C London, but I live outside the UK, can I interview with your local office rather than travelling to London?
- I am an international student, do OC&C assist with Work Permits / Visas?
Recruitment Policy
Work Experience / Internships
- Do you offer work experience?
- I would like to apply for the internship but I am not in penultimate year of study, can I still apply?
Life at OC&C
- What is your policy on MBA sponsorship?
- What is your policy on transfer to other OC&C offices?
- What else will I do beyond project commitments?
- I work for a recruitment agency and would like to work with OC&C?
Work Experience / Internships
Do you offer work experience?
We offer a summer internship scheme for students who are in the penultimate year of their first degree. Our internship vacancy opens on our website around mid December and closes at the end of January. Unfortunately, we don’t offer work experience (including MBA internships) outside of this 8 week summer scheme.
I would like to apply for the internship but I am not in penultimate year of study, can I still apply?
Our undergraduate summer internship scheme is open ONLY to those students in the penultimate year of their first degree. Our aim is to provide candidates with a first hand insight into the consulting world. At the end of which we would typically make full time Associate Consultant offers to those who have performed well. These candidates would then become ambassadors for OC&C using their university knowledge in supporting our recruitment activities and events on campus. For this reason it is important that you are completing your studies no earlier than May 2011, and at the same university as prior to the internship.
Unfortunately this also excludes anyone that is in the final year of their first degree but going on to do a Masters.
Recruitment Policy
At what level do you recruit PhDs and MBAs?
We recruit people at all stages of their careers; the starting level is determined on an individual basis by the experience and skills you have to offer.
Undergraduate and Graduate students join as Associate Consultants. We operate a simple meritocracy, therefore the benefits of a PhD may allow you to progress more quickly once you have joined and therefore faster progression / promotion / salary raises might be expected. In an average year, about 30% of the intake are PhDsand they are often able to progress very rapidly to the Consultant level.
MBAs enter at Consultant level as they typically already have the appropriate work experience and tool kit that recent university graduates need to develop.
Can I take a year out before I start?
Our key objective is to recruit the best people, and we are certainly flexible here. Many people in the firm have taken a year out before joining, for example, to travel, work in a ski resort, help out at a charity, or learn a foreign language.
We typically offer September and March intakes; therefore the possibility exists to take off a few months as well as a whole year.
Applications - All
How can I find out if you are recruiting at my level?
All our vacancies are listed on our website. If you are unable to find a suitable vacancy, this unfortunately means we are currently not recruiting at your level. We can only accept applications submitted through our online form and are unable to accept application direct via email.
When does your Associate Consultant entry level vacancy open?
Our Associate Consultant entry level vacancy opens on our website at the beginning of October. The deadline for applications is around mid November. We can only accept applications submitted through our online form. If you would like to apply to OC&C outside of this period, please visit our website and check the list of current vacancies to find out if we have requirements at this level. All vacancies will be listed on our website.
How do I know if my application was submitted successfully? When should I expect to hear a response?
All applications must be submitted via our website. You can expect to receive a confirmation email within 48 hours of submitting your application.
When do you start to review applications?
Applications made to our Associate Consultant (Entry Level) and Undergraduate Internship vacancy will be reviewed after the closing date of the vacancy. You can expect to receive feedback within 3 weeks of the closing date.
Applications made to experienced hire vacancies will be reviewed on a rolling basis. You can expect to receive feedback within 1 week of submitting your application.
Can I submit my application to more than one office?
If you have more than one office of interest please make the application to your preferred office only. You are only able to apply to one office at a time. If your application has not been successful with your preferred office, please feel free to make an application to any of the other offices that are of interest (one at a time).
What criteria do you use to judge CVs and in considering applications?
We look for exceptional graduates from any discipline (2:1 or above) and a minimum of two A grades (or equivalent) from the subjects in the list below.
Generally suitable A-levels
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Art History, Chinese, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Theology, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Russian, Spanish and Welsh.
In addition to very strong academics, we look for broad and intense extra-curricular activities that demonstrate commitment and initiative together with strong teamwork and communication skills.
Successful candidates must have a perfect command of English. Fluency in a second European language is an advantage but not essential. We also look favourably on previous relevant work experience and the quality of your CV / covering letter.
For experienced hires or MBAs we give weight to the skills you have developed throughout your career and your achievements at work.
Go to Application Tips > Applications for more information
How do you assess the interview?
In the interview we assess your problem solving, communication and professional skills. We look for qualities including intellectual curiosity, commercial awareness, logical reasoning, creativity, analytical and numerical ability, personality, drive, and leadership. We also assess (as indeed will you) whether you and OC&C are suited to working together.
Go to Application Tips > Interviews for more information
What can I expect from the interview process?
Milk round applicants who have been successful in the CV screening stage will be invited to complete an online numerical and verbal reasoning test. Successful applicants will then be invited to first round interviews, which will include two case study based interviews. Applicants invited to second round interviews can expect two more case study based interviews.
Go to Application Tips > Case Studies for more information and example case studies.
We understand that just as much as we want to find out more about you and how you would fit in at OC&C, you will want to find out more about us. Throughout our interview process you will have the opportunity to get to know us better and ask questions. We’re also more than happy to answer any question you might have after the formal process has been completed.
The “experienced hire” interview process is structured according to the level of experience of the applicant. Candidates can expect the process to focus on case studies interviews.
I wasn’t successful in my application, when can I reapply?
Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications made within a year of previous applications.
International Applications
I have been invited to interview with OC&C London, but I live outside the UK, can I interview with your local office rather than travelling to London?
All our vacancies are open to international candidates. If you are applying from outside the UK, please do bear in mind that whilst we do make use of our global network of offices to assist us in the recruitment process, you must also be prepared to attend interviews in the London office. This is an essential part of the recruitment process so that you can meet with your potential colleagues.
With regard to Work Permits and Visas for international candidates, please see below.
I am an international student, do OC&C assist with Work Permits / Visas?
We welcome applications from international students who are eligible to work in the UK.
Due to the lengthy work permit application process, we are unable to provide work permits or visas for international students applying for our internship schemes.
Work at OC&C
What is the typical career path at OC&C?
Associate Consultants typically spend three years at that level (less if they have some previous experience or progress exceptionally rapidly) before promotion to Consultant. Some people then elect to go to business school under sponsorship, or are seconded to a client firm or an OC&C office elsewhere in the world for 6 months to a year. There is also the option to take a sabbatical. It is possible to be promoted directly and to choose not to take any time out, which distinguishes us from many of our competitors. The pathway to Partner is typically 9 or 10 years.
What is the typical project duration / composition?
All our work is at Board level. We usually work for FTSE250 companies or their international equivalents, major private equity houses and occasionally for smaller organisations if the situations are particularly interesting. We work on three general types of project: Strategy Development, Transaction Support (M&A and Private Equity) and Strategy Realisation (“Make it Happen”) programmes. Consequently there is a lot of variation in team size and duration. The majority of our projects are 4-12 weeks with team size anything from 2 to 15 people although typically c.5 people.
We offer a unique perspective to our clients. We don't deliver the same solution to everyone in a given industry, but develop new insights. We draw on our experiences within certain sectors and focus ourselves so that we can be certain that we are the best available advisors within our chosen fields. In London we work across all sectors, with particular expertise in consumer and retail industries, media, telecoms, technology and business services.
What are the average working hours per week?
The nature of consulting means that the hours are not regularly 9-5, particularly towards the end of projects where deadlines have to be met. Having said that, OC&C makes best efforts to ensure that our consultants do not work excessive hours. We monitor the actual hours that are worked, and have a system to ensure that people do not often work more than 60 hours per week. We also give time off at the end of projects where they have involved excessive hours. OC&C is completely opposed to the idea of ‘face time’. The managerial attitude and policies pay-off – our average hours are currently 57 per week and we are working hard to reduce this to our target of 55 hours per week.
What benefits & holiday allowance do OC&C offer?
In addition to a top pay package we also offer a range of benefits, such as a cycle to work scheme, childcare vouchers, gym subsidy and various medical cover benefits. Other perks include fresh fruit, lots of cookies, a sandwich man and our annual away weekend. Not to forget, great views from our Central London office.
Our standard annual holiday allowance is 22 days, which increases by tenure. We also offer the option of up to an extra month of unpaid leave per year.
How many projects will I be working on at the same time?
As an Associate Consultant or new Consultant, you will only be allocated to one client at any given time. More experienced Managers and Partners are typically involved with more than one assignment at a time.
What training can I expect to receive?
We consider both classroom and on the job training as key elements in your development. When you first join you will receive a formal induction programme which is tailored to your experience and needs. Joining from university you can expect to receive training in Consulting, Strategy, Research, Financial Analysis, Economics and Graphics within your first couple of months and there are further schedules courses throughout the year.
Our commitment to training continues throughout your career and at each grade there is an established portfolio of courses designed to meet your professional development needs at that time. So as you move towards becoming a consultant, the training focus is on project management, delegation and people management. At manager level the focus shifts towards client facilitation and creativity workshops.
Many of these courses are run internationally and are held as part of our International Training Week. The event has been held in places such as Barcelona, Boston and Budapest. ITW provides a great opportunity to meet colleagues, at all levels, from all of our offices. It's not just all training though as there are plenty of opportunities to socialise as well.
Another crucial element in an ACs development is on-the-job training. The best way to learn is by doing. You are encouraged to push yourself just beyond the point where you feel comfortable with what you are doing, as that is where you develop fastest - safe in the knowledge that you are fully supported by your job manager should you need to turn to him / her for direction or support.
Do you travel a lot?
Travel varies entirely from project to project and so everyone's experience is different. Nonetheless, it is usual to spend time away from home in the UK or abroad on some, but not every project.
Sometimes we base our work at the client, which can mean 3-4 days per week at the client site, but we do make sure that everyone where possible is back on Fridays.
On average, the majority of your time is spent in the office with c.25% of your time on client site in the UK or abroad
Do you do pro bono work?
Although we also collect money for charity in the traditional way, we believe that the benefit that our skills can bring to the management of charities creates more value than if we simply write a cheque.
We conduct regular pro-bono work. Historically, we have worked for WWF, Multiple Sclerosis and CancerUK. Our current pro-bono commitment is to Impetus who are investors in a variety of smaller charitable concerns. See www.impetus.org.uk. We conduct three projects a year for Impetus. One of our consultants now sits on the Board of the charity that he assisted.
What is your policy on MBA sponsorship?
All consulting staff are eligible for consideration, and decisions on sponsorship for an MBA are made through the appraisal process. Sponsorship is not guaranteed, but would be offered to Consultants attending top tier business schools and who have showed commitment to OC&C and a good level of performance.
What is your policy on transfer to other OC&C offices?
If you wish to work in another OC&C office there are three broad options:
- Taking part in our international ambassadorship programme. Ambassadorships allow people to experience living and working abroad, based in an international OC&C office and usually for a period of six months. These are awarded to our top performers.
- Working on OC&C projects based in a different office. These allow people to experience working abroad and build their network but without committing to a longer period away from home.
- To seek a permanent transfer to another office.
What else will I do beyond project commitments?
At OC&C our employees become involved in actively managing and growing our firm. All consultants have the opportunity to get involved in teams that deal with company-wide issues from recruitment and training through to the “Ministry of Fun”, which organises parties and other social activities. We also have a number of office sports teams and events which are sponsored by the firm. These include netball, softball, football and touch-rugby teams.
I work for a recruitment agency and would like to work with OC&C?
If you feel your services would add value to OC&C, please feel free to email us with an overview of your organisation and services, a list of relevant completed assignments and your T&C’s to recruitment@occstrategy.com