Perspective of an Interviewer
Jessica Dubuque, Senior Analyst
In addition to my consulting work at Health Advances, I conduct interviews as a member of the recruiting committee. Meeting candidates and talking about my experience at the firm is one of my favorite parts of my job. Here is a brief overview of a Health Advances interview with some tips for success.
Introductory Discussion: Our interviews start with a Q&A to get to know you, what led you to apply for the role, and your interest in healthcare. We are hoping to understand why you are interested in Health Advances specifically, and what strengths you’ll bring to the role.
- Explain the path which led you to be interested in healthcare consulting. Tell us about what you studied, past work/extracurricular experiences, and how these shaped your decision to apply.
- Explain how your past experiences can be leveraged in consulting. Any internship, research project, or other experience teaches valuable, relevant skills, even if it was not directly related to what we do at Health Advances. In addition to explaining the experience, tell us how you would take what you learned and apply it to our work.
- Talk about why you are interested in Health Advances, specifically. Tell us why Health Advances stands out to you from other healthcare consulting firms, and why you would be excited to work here.
- Be yourself! There is no one “perfect” candidate profile that we look for at Health Advances. We want to know what makes you unique.
Case Interview: Each interviewer writes their own case based on real projects, so the topics vary widely across all of our sectors. You will be given quantitative market sizing tasks, as well as qualitative strategic questions. We want to see that you can think creatively and communicate your ideas clearly.
- Listen carefully to the background. Make sure you have a complete understanding of the background before diving into the case. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or confirm details with the interviewer – it’s a good way to demonstrate your understanding of the important points.
- Answer the specific question being asked. Each case is unique. While learning frameworks can be helpful to prepare and practice, we want to know that you understand the situation described and can adapt your responses appropriately. Listen carefully to what your interviewer is asking, and answer that question specifically, rather than saying something rehearsed.
- Taking pauses is encouraged. It is preferable for candidates to take a moment to collect their thoughts and then present their ideas, rather than immediately listing in a disorganized manner. Don’t be afraid to ask for a minute to organize your ideas.
- Be decisive. At some point in the case, you may be asked to make a conclusion. Should the client pursue this opportunity? Which of the two indications should be prioritized? Pick one answer, rather than simply listing the pros and cons of each but not deciding. We want to see that you can form a supportive argument for whatever you decide – there usually isn’t a wrong answer.
Opportunity to Ask Questions: After the case, your interviewer will leave time for you to ask them questions. Take advantage of this time to learn more about what it means to work at Health Advances.
- Prepare questions in advance. This is your chance to interview the interviewer. What do you want to know about our day-to-day? Or our culture? Asking about a favorite case is another great way to learn about our work.
- Fill the entire time that remains with questions. Your interviewer will be excited to discuss their favorite parts about their job and the firm. Don’t cut the interview short – ask as many questions as you have time for to demonstrate interest.
Consultant Profiles
Name: Abigail Reinhart
Career Progression: Currently a senior analyst, but I first started at HA as an analyst intern in 2019
Background: Undergraduate degree in Biochemistry / minor in Epidemiology from University of Rochester with extracurricular experience in biochemical and clinical research
Sector Focus: I focus primarily in the biopharma sector but have project experience across our medical device, digital health, and diagnostic sectors
What are some examples of the most exciting project work that you do with clients?
In the biopharma sector, I find the most exciting and rewarding work to be commercialization projects for late-stage assets. Our clients’ excitement for their products is energizing and motivates me to support them in realizing the product’s full potential, whether through defining a market access strategy or mapping out leverage points in the patient journey. Now, as I am beginning to see approvals and launches for products I supported during my early days at Health Advances, I feel reinvigorated and eager to continue to deliver for clients I am supporting today and will support in the future.
What is your favorite part about working at Health Advances?
Health Advances’ culture has always, since my days as an intern, been my favorite part about the firm. Whether through my mentor’s investment in my professional development or through the lasting friendships formed with coworkers both on and outside of my case teams, I could not imagine feeling more welcomed and supported. It has been wonderful to see Health Advances’ culture adapt and persist throughout the events of the past few years and I feel just as appreciative today as I did in 2019.
What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about a career in healthcare consulting?
My best advice would be to stay up-to-date on industry events, particularly in your area(s) of interest. Following markets, sectors, or trends that are most exciting for you will not only bolster your expertise and increase your contributions to case teams, but it will provide you with a greater sense of fulfillment through ownership of and engagement in your work.
Name: Andilyn Mehltretter
Career Progression: Currently a senior analyst, but I first started at HA as an analyst
Background: Bachelor of Science majoring in Pharmacology from McGill University and Masters of Biotechnology from the University of Toronto
Sector Focus: I am still a generalist with project experience across our precision medicine, clinical diagnostics, and biopharma practices
How has Health Advances supported you in your professional development and career journey?
Health Advances has been incredibly supportive for my professional development. Leaders at the company, whether partners or case leads, are extremely intentional in how they support your development, by providing direct feedback, giving opportunities to work on new skills, and completing thorough reviews about their experience working with you on each case. My mentor does a great job aggregating all of this feedback and building me a new workplan every 6 months to help me grow and improve.
What are some examples of the most exciting project work that you do with clients?
We developed a life cycle management and indication prioritization for a biopharma client with an asset in phase III clinical trials for a rare disease. In preparation for the fall of COVID testing, we built a global roadmap for a precision medicine company’s infectious disease portfolio. We completed a technology prioritization and M&A roadmap for a precision medicine company’s women’s health portfolio, investigating the feasibility, impact, and potential targets of various technologies.
What is your favorite part about working at Health Advances?
My favorite parts about working at Health Advances are the supportive culture and interesting project work. Health Advances is filled with incredibly genuine and smart people who care deeply about the success of their peers. Health Advances focuses on growth strategy projects for life sciences clients, which aligns with the types of questions I like to answer and companies I like to work with.
Name: Heather Loring
Career Progression: Currently a Consultant, but I first started at Health Advances as a Senior Analyst
Background: PhD in Biomedical Science from UMass Medical School, Undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Trinity College
Sector Focus: I work on projects spanning the healthcare industry and have specific areas of expertise in biopharma and precision medicine.
What attracted you to Health Advances and why did you decide to join the firm?
Health Advances stood out to me relative to other opportunities for several reasons. I ultimately decided to join the firm due to the strong sense of community amongst the staff, the availability of opportunities to strengthen my scientific and business knowledge by working with clients across the healthcare industry and world, and the extensive opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and growth.
How has Health Advances supported you in your professional development and career journey?
By coaching me through my first forecasting model and supporting me through Harvard’s “Leading with Finance” course to bolster by finance knowledge, Health Advances has facilitated my professional development by helping me build my business strategy knowledge. Additionally, I have had numerous professional development opportunities throughout my project work as interests and professional development are factored into case staffing.
What is your favorite part about working at Health Advances?
My favorite part is having the opportunity to work on a variety of projects across the healthcare industry. I really enjoy leveraging my scientific background to quickly get up to speed in a particular area and assist our clients at pivotal junctures. It is particularly exciting to see our recommendations come to life with high value acquisitions and clear strategic paths forward through clinical development and commercialization.
Name: Nadha Illikkal
Career Progression: Currently a senior analyst, but I first started at HA as an analyst intern
Background: Undergraduate degree in Health & Societies (public health/health policy) from UPenn
Sector Focus: I am a generalist with project experience across our biopharma, digital health, and diagnostics sectors, with some specialization in market access and pharma services
What attracted you to Health Advances and why did you decide to join the firm?
My amazing experience during my summer internship is what drew me back to HA full-time. In spite of it being remote at the time, I had the opportunity to both really contribute to casework and also work very closely with my mentor who took me in hand and made sure I could get the most out of my day-to-day experience. This genuine, caring, and collaborative atmosphere is what led to me first join and remain at the firm!
How has Health Advances supported you in your professional development and career journey?
HA’s mentorship program is one of its greatest assets. Since I joined the firm, I’ve been able to have very frank discussions with my mentor about how I would like to grow during my time here (with some great brainstorming sessions on how to execute on my skill plan items) and also my long-term future plans if I choose to leave consulting. I always feel comfortable sharing my honest opinions during these discussions, and my mentor has always had my back.
What is your favorite part about working at Health Advances?
Two answers to this! One, HA culture is very friendly and collaborative – I can ping someone or stop by their desk for a quick chat without feeling like anyone’s time is wasted. Two, HA leadership cares a lot about employee well-being, which is demonstrated through several new initiatives for a strong work-life balance. In addition, client heads and team leaders regularly check in to make sure team members are feeling supported throughout our project work.
Name: Olivia Brody-Bizar
Career Progression: Currently a senior analyst, but I first started at HA as an analyst intern
Background: Undergraduate degree in public health/statistics from Dartmouth college
Sector Focus: I am still a generalist with project experience across our medical device, digital health, and biopharma sectors
What attracted you to Health Advances and why did you decide to join the firm?
As an undergraduate, I was originally attracted to HA for its interesting project work across sectors and the career advancement opportunities for recent college graduates. While my original reasons for being interested in Health Advances still hold true, I ultimately joined HA because of the kindness I experienced as an intern. In the challenging summer of 2020, when everyone was adjusting to the new normal of remote work, every employee I worked with took the time to ask about my experience, offer clear feedback for the tasks I was working on, and get to know me as a person. This internship anecdote exemplifies the kindness I experience from coworkers as a full-time employee today.
How has Health Advances supported you in your professional development and career journey?
Health Advances has a variety of formal and informal mentoring structures that have been key to strengthening my consulting skills and positioning me to succeed at HA and beyond. At the firm, I have my longstanding mentor that helps synthesize and deliver feedback across case work to help devise a formal skill plan. The skill plan provides guidance on my strengths and what areas I should continue to develop to get to the next level at HA. At the beginning of each case, I have a formal check-in with my day-to-day case team leaders (CTL) to think of opportunities to further practice and develop those skills. Beyond these two formal avenues for professional development, I learn from my coworkers on a daily basis; they are a great resource for questions and have invaluable insights to offer from their different casework.
What is your favorite part about working at Health Advances?
I have to caveat my answer with the fact that this might be the hardest question yet - there are too many things I love to only name a few! That being said, if I had to sum it up, my favorite part of HA is that every project is different, which pushes me to grow and learn something new every day, all the while working as a part of a collaborative team. This team not only supports each other in day-to-day case work, but also consists of smart, funny people who have quickly evolved beyond just “coworkers” to real friends.