Entrepreneur / Founder to Kearney: How to Make the Transition
Startup founders and entrepreneurs seeking to leverage their experience in consulting.
Emphasizes collaboration, sustainability, and operational excellence with a flat hierarchy.
Why Kearney Values Entrepreneur Backgrounds
Kearney values entrepreneurs for operations excellence and growth strategy. Your experience optimizing limited resources supports operational transformation and efficiency improvement work.
Transferable Skills to Highlight
End-to-end ownership
Show you can also collaborate effectively. Kearney wants ownership mindset combined with team player behavior.
Resource constraints mastery
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Kearney values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Rapid iteration
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Kearney values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Customer understanding
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Kearney values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Strategic pivoting
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Kearney values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Common Challenges & How to Address Them
Team player positioning
Emphasize collaboration examples in behavioral interviews. Show you can lead AND follow. Kearney values team success over individual heroics.
Structured methodology
Address directly through targeted practice and preparation. Kearney interviewers will probe for evidence you've overcome this gap.
Corporate hierarchy navigation
Address directly through targeted practice and preparation. Kearney interviewers will probe for evidence you've overcome this gap.
Case interview format
Complete 30+ practice cases with structured feedback. Work with a coach or prep group. The Kearney interview format can be learned through deliberate practice.
Resume Tips for Entrepreneur Candidates
- Lead with impact, not responsibilities. Instead of "Entrepreneur duties," quantify achievements: revenue generated, costs saved, efficiency improved.
- Translate Entrepreneur terminology into business language. Kearney reviewers may not know your industry jargon.
- Highlight cross-functional work and stakeholder management. Kearney values candidates who've navigated complex organizational dynamics.
- Include any consulting-adjacent experience: internal strategy projects, due diligence support, business case development.
- Show progression and increasing scope of responsibility. Kearney wants evidence of growth trajectory and leadership potential.
- Include metrics even if modest: revenue, users, growth rates, unit economics.
- Show what you learned from failures. Kearney values resilience and self-awareness.
Case Interview Tips for Entrepreneur Candidates
- Structure first, always. Kearney tests your ability to organize problems before diving into analysis.
- Practice mental math until it's automatic. Hesitation on numbers raises red flags regardless of background.
- Drive the case proactively. Kearney wants candidates who can lead client conversations, not just respond to questions.
- Show you can work within frameworks, not just intuition. Demonstrate structured thinking.
- Your commercial instincts are valuable. Use them to prioritize analysis and drive to recommendations.
- Practice following a process. Interviewers want to see method, not just correct answers.
Networking Strategies for Kearney
- Connect with Entrepreneur alumni at Kearney through LinkedIn. Ask for 15-minute informational calls focused on their transition experience.
- Attend Kearney recruiting events and introduce yourself with a clear, concise background summary that highlights your unique value.
- Join consulting prep communities and case interview groups. Network with other Entrepreneur candidates making similar transitions.
- Reach out to Kearney recruiters with a tailored message explaining why your Entrepreneur background is relevant to their practice areas.
- Ask for referrals strategically. Kearney, like most consulting firms, prioritizes referred candidates in the screening process.
- Use startup and VC networks. Many consultants have entrepreneurial backgrounds or startup experience.
Preparation Timeline
Foundation Building(4-6 weeks)
- Complete business fundamentals courses if needed
- Start daily mental math practice (15-20 min/day)
- Begin reading business publications and case studies
- Research Kearney's culture, values, and recent work
- Update resume with consulting-focused framing
Case Interview Mastery(6-8 weeks)
- Learn and practice all major case frameworks
- Complete 30+ practice cases with feedback
- Master market sizing and estimation questions
- Practice structuring ambiguous problems
- Time your cases to build speed and confidence
Behavioral Preparation(2-3 weeks)
- Prepare 8-10 stories using Kearney's behavioral framework
- Practice articulating why consulting and why now
- Develop Kearney-specific answers for "why this firm"
- Prepare questions demonstrating firm research and genuine interest
- Practice with mock interviews if available
Application & Networking(2-4 weeks)
- Submit application to Kearney
- Reach out to contacts for referrals if possible
- Continue case practice at interview pace
- Research interviewers on LinkedIn when scheduled
- Plan logistics and professional attire for interviews
Key Success Factors
Start Your Kearney Journey
Practice case interviews with AI coaching and get the skills you need to land your offer at Kearney.