SMA Associate Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 6 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at SMA.
SMA
Senior Associate
Senior Average Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite Panel Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Case
Interviews are used to vet you and put you in the pool of associates available for potential deployments. Interviews happen over a few rounds to talk about the role and opportunities with other SMA associates in the practice you're targeting. Interviewers will test your area-specific knowledge and give you a chance to ask questions about roles, clients, and consulting overall. After the few rounds of interviews, there's a final talk with a practice lead or a higher executive. If it goes well, you're either ready to be deployed, or if there's a specific deployment right away, you'll start getting set up for a client site.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- Tell me about your PMP knowledge.
- How do you handle client and customer interactions?
- Are you willing to travel?
SMA
Associate
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Phone screen Background check
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
Applied in early January and the whole thing took about 2 weeks. After submitting my resume and filling out some online stuff about my proposal and business consulting background, I had two phone interviews. Both were with long-time associates and former company principals. These felt professional and open, and I learned a lot about how the company operates and supports its people.
Confirmed questions1 question
- How would you handle the ongoing progress of a complicated technical proposal that requires input from various team members?
SMA
Associate
Entry Average Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral
A recruiter reached out after finding me online and wanted me to speak with the hiring managers. After a conversation, they invited me for an interview at their corporate office in Irvine, CA. They covered the travel expenses, provided accommodation for one night, and then flew me back the next day. The interview was somewhat challenging, including some technical questions about scheduling. It lasted about an hour and was a one-on-one with the VP of PP&C.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you explain the connection between IMS and IMP?
SMA Associate Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from SMA interview reports.
“Can you explain the connection between IMS and IMP?”
Read reports →“Are you willing to travel?”
Read reports →“How would you handle the ongoing progress of a complicated technical proposal that requires input from various team members?”
Read reports →“Could you describe your experience with the Price-to-Win Methodology?”
Read reports →“Tell me about your PMP knowledge.”
Read report →“How do you handle client and customer interactions?”
Read report →“Can you describe a past project you worked on?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 6 SMA interview reports.