How to get a job at Kantar
20 real interview questions, insider tips on the hiring process, and what Kantar actually looks for. Most people read about it. Very few practise for it.
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Your question
“Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.”
About Kantar
Company overview
Kantar is the world's leading data, insights, and consulting company, serving major corporations across consumer, media, technology, and healthcare sectors. The firm combines market research expertise with advanced analytics and consulting services to help clients understand consumers, develop strategy, and drive growth. Kantar works with ambitious brands to unlock consumer insights and build competitive advantage.
Inside the company
Culture & values at Kantar
Kantar's culture emphasises data-driven insights, consumer understanding, and collaborative problem-solving. The firm values creativity combined with analytical rigour, entrepreneurial thinking, and genuine commitment to client success. Kantar is committed to developing talent through mentoring, continuous learning opportunities, and clear advancement pathways. The firm celebrates diverse perspectives and creates an inclusive environment.
Why people want to work here
At Kantar, you'll develop expertise in consumer insights, market research, and data analytics—highly valued skills across industries. The firm's diverse client base and range of projects create rich learning opportunities. Kantar's strong culture of mentoring, access to cutting-edge data and analytics tools, and clear development pathways make it an excellent place to build a consulting career. The firm's global reach provides international opportunities.
What to expect
Working at Kantar
Most roles at Kantar are office-based or hybrid, with teams typically splitting time between their London, UK offices and remote working. The day usually starts with team stand-ups or check-ins, followed by focused project work. Collaboration is a significant part of the role — expect cross-functional meetings, client interactions, and working alongside colleagues from different departments throughout the day. The rhythm varies by team, but most people find a mix of heads-down work and collaborative sessions. Peak periods (month-end, quarter-end, project deadlines) can mean longer hours, but the day-to-day pace is generally manageable.
With 30,000+ employees, Kantar is large enough to offer diverse teams, specialisms, and career paths, but not so large that individual contributions go unnoticed. You'll typically work within a team of 6–15 people with clear reporting lines and regular feedback loops. Cross-team collaboration is common, and most people find they build a strong professional network within their first year.
The culture at Kantar shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Analytical rigour and consumer insight thinking and Research acumen and understanding of methodologies. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — Kantar recognises that building relationships across the organisation is as important as the deliverables themselves. Most employees report that the people are one of the best things about working here, and that the team dynamic makes challenging work feel manageable.
The hiring journey
Kantar interview process
Kantar's recruiting process includes case interviews, insight discussions, and behavioural assessments to identify problem-solvers with analytical ability and consumer thinking.
Online application and CV screening
VariesOnline application and CV screening
First-round interviews (case discussions and consumer insight thinking)
VariesFirst-round interviews (case discussions and consumer insight thinking)
Second-round interviews (complex cases and strategic insight)
VariesSecond-round interviews (complex cases and strategic insight)
Final round with director or senior leader on career vision
VariesFinal round with director or senior leader on career vision
Optional analytical or case assessment
VariesOptional analytical or case assessment
4-8 weeks from application to offer
Insider tips
Develop strong case interview skills with focus on consumer insights and market analysis. Research Kantar's consumer research methodologies and recent client work. Prepare examples showing consumer thinking and analytical insights. Show genuine interest in understanding consumers and brands. Build familiarity with market research concepts and methods. Demonstrate understanding of media and technology landscapes.
Your game plan
How to prepare for your Kantar interview
Kantar's interview process typically takes 4-8 weeks from application to offer. Starting your preparation 4 weeks ahead gives you enough time to research thoroughly, build strong examples, and practise until your answers feel natural rather than rehearsed. Candidates who prepare systematically consistently outperform those who wing it — and interviewers can always tell the difference.
4 weeks before
Research Kantar thoroughly — read their annual report, recent press coverage, and leadership interviews. Understand their position in consulting & advisory and any challenges or opportunities they're facing. Follow Kantar on LinkedIn and note the type of content they share — this reveals what they're proud of and where they're heading. Start reviewing the 5 stages of their interview process so you know exactly what to expect at each step. Identify anyone in your network who works or has worked at Kantar and reach out for an informal conversation.
3 weeks before
Prepare 8-10 STAR examples from your experience that demonstrate Analytical rigour and consumer insight thinking, Research acumen and understanding of methodologies, Communication clarity and ability to translate insights into action. These should be specific, quantified stories you can adapt to different questions — don't just prepare one example per quality, because interviewers often ask follow-ups or probe the same competency from different angles. If you're applying for Data Analyst or Business Analyst role, make sure your examples are directly relevant to that function. Start practising answering questions out loud — silent preparation and written notes aren't enough, because the interview requires you to articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure.
2 weeks before
Do a full mock interview covering Kantar's typical question types — common, behavioural, and technical. Time your answers (aim for 2-3 minutes per STAR response — shorter feels thin, longer loses the interviewer's attention). Research your interviewers on LinkedIn if you know who they are — understanding their background can help you tailor your examples. Prepare 4-5 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of each stage. Good questions show you've done your research: ask about team challenges, upcoming projects, or how the role contributes to Kantar's strategy.
Final week
Review and refine your STAR examples — tighten any that felt long or unfocused during practice. Check Kantar's news and social media for anything published in the last few days (being able to reference something current shows genuine, ongoing interest). Confirm logistics — location, format (video or in-person), dress code, who you're meeting, and how long to allow. Prepare a printed copy of your CV, the job description, and your question list. Plan your route if in-person. The night before, focus on rest rather than last-minute cramming — confidence and composure matter as much as preparation.
Stand out from the crowd
What Kantar looks for
Analytical rigour and consumer insight thinking
Analytical rigour and consumer insight thinking
Research acumen and understanding of methodologies
Research acumen and understanding of methodologies
Communication clarity and ability to translate insights into action
Communication clarity and ability to translate insights into action
Collaborative approach with strong team engagement
Collaborative approach with strong team engagement
Initiative and drive to deliver consumer understanding
Initiative and drive to deliver consumer understanding
Get through the door
How to apply to Kantar
Start by studying Kantar's careers page and current openings carefully. Tailor your CV to mirror the language they use in job descriptions — consulting & advisory employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for specific keywords, and generic applications get filtered out before a human sees them. If you're applying for Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Strategy Consultant, research what each role involves at Kantar specifically, not just the job title in general.
If you're early in your career, look for entry-level or junior positions on Kantar's careers page. Some roles may not be advertised externally, so networking through LinkedIn and industry events can surface opportunities before they're posted publicly. Consider whether Kantar offers internships or work experience placements as a route in — many strategy consulting employers use these as a pipeline for permanent roles.
Before submitting your application, research Kantar's recent news, strategy, and any public statements from leadership. Mentioning something specific in your cover letter — a recent project, a company initiative, or a strategic direction — signals that you've done your homework and aren't sending the same application to every strategy consulting employer. Referrals from current employees significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, so connect with people at Kantar on LinkedIn and attend any open days or recruitment events they run.
With 30,000+ employees, Kantar has a large alumni network. Search LinkedIn for former employees now working elsewhere — they can offer candid insights about the interview process, team culture, and what it's really like to work there. Current employees are also worth connecting with, but former employees tend to be more frank.
Mistakes candidates make
- 1Submitting a generic CV that doesn't reference Kantar or consulting & advisory-specific experience — tailored applications are significantly more likely to get past initial screening. Mirror the language from the job description and quantify your achievements.
- 2Failing to research Kantar's values, recent news, and strategic direction before the interview — interviewers can tell immediately when a candidate hasn't prepared beyond reading the About page on the website.
- 3Not preparing concrete STAR examples that demonstrate Analytical rigour and consumer insight thinking and Research acumen and understanding of methodologies — Kantar uses competency-based interviewing, so vague answers like "I'm a team player" without specific situations, actions, and measurable outcomes will score poorly.
- 4Underestimating the preparation timeline — Kantar's process typically takes 4-8 weeks from application to offer, and the best candidates start preparing weeks in advance. Last-minute cramming shows in your answers.
- 5Neglecting to ask thoughtful questions at the end of each interview stage — generic questions like "what's the culture like?" waste your chance to demonstrate genuine curiosity about Kantar and the specific role.
- 6Applying to multiple roles at Kantar simultaneously without tailoring each application — recruiters notice this, and it signals that you're not genuinely interested in any specific position.
Real questions asked
Kantar interview questions
20 questions sourced from real Kantar candidates. Practise answering them out loud before your interview.
- 1Tell us about your background and interest in Kantar.
- 2Describe a project involving consumer insights or market research.
- 3Give an example of when you analysed consumer behaviour.
- 4How do you approach understanding consumer needs?
- 5Tell us about a time you translated insights into recommendations.
- 6Walk us through a consumer or market challenge.
- 7Why consumer insights and research interest you.
- 8How do you ensure research validity and reliability?
Your career here
Growth & development at Kantar
Career progression at Kantar follows a relatively clear path for most roles. Promotions typically depend on demonstrating increased responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership capability — whether that's leading teams, managing clients, or driving technical innovation. The organisation values both specialist depth and the ability to take on broader management responsibilities, so there are usually multiple progression routes available. Don't assume you need to move into management to advance — many strategy consulting organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.
Kantar invests in structured learning and development programmes, including access to training courses, conferences, and professional certifications. Many employees report that the L&D budget is generous and genuinely encouraged — not just a line in the benefits package that nobody actually uses. Whether it's technical upskilling, leadership development, or industry certifications, there's real support for continuous learning. While formal mentoring programmes may vary across departments, the culture generally encourages learning from more experienced colleagues. Building relationships with senior team members is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your development — seek out people whose career trajectory you admire and ask them for advice regularly.
For consulting & advisory professionals, Kantar offers exposure to projects and challenges that build a strong CV whether you stay long-term or move on after a few years. The skills and experience you gain — particularly around Analytical rigour and consumer insight thinking and Research acumen and understanding of methodologies — are transferable across the strategy consulting sector and beyond. Internal mobility is possible for strong performers, with opportunities to move between teams, departments, or even locations as your career develops. Many senior leaders at Kantar started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.
Compensation
Salary & benefits at Kantar
Associate Consultant: £40,000–£50,000; Consultant: £55,000–£70,000; Senior Consultant: £85,000–£110,000+
Notable benefits
Roles they hire for
Popular roles at Kantar
Frequently asked questions
What is Kantar's focus on consumer insights?
Kantar is the world's leading consumer insights company, combining market research expertise with advanced analytics. The firm helps brands understand consumers through surveys, tracking studies, ethnography, and data analytics. This consumer insights focus creates opportunities to develop deep expertise in understanding behaviour, attitudes, and purchasing decisions.
What research methodologies does Kantar use?
Kantar employs diverse research methodologies including quantitative surveys, qualitative research, ethnographic studies, and advanced analytics. Consultants develop expertise in survey design, statistical analysis, and insight interpretation. This methodological breadth creates rich learning opportunities for developing research and analytical skills.
What do junior consultants work on?
As an Associate or Consultant, you'll support research projects involving questionnaire design, data analysis, client interviews, and insight synthesis. You might analyse consumer surveys, prepare research reports, support client presentations, or help develop recommendations. You'll work closely with senior consultants and develop strong research skills.
How does Kantar develop consultant skills?
Kantar is committed to consultant development through dedicated mentoring, regular feedback, training in research methodology and analytics, and clear advancement pathways. You'll have a mentor and manager supporting your growth. The firm provides training in research design, statistical analysis, and consumer insight interpretation. Kantar emphasises expert knowledge development.
What is the career progression?
The progression is Associate Consultant (1-2 years) → Consultant (2-3 years) → Senior Consultant (3-4 years) → Manager (3-4 years) → Senior Manager. Advancement depends on demonstrated research excellence, client impact, and insight capability. Kantar evaluates staff regularly with clear expectations.
Do I need market research experience?
No, Kantar recruits from diverse backgrounds without requiring prior research experience. The firm values analytical skills, consumer thinking, and intellectual curiosity about human behaviour. Kantar will develop research methodology expertise through training and project work. Your analytical ability and interest in consumers matter more than specific experience.
Your Kantar interview is coming.
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Practise with real Kantar questions, get scored across 6 competencies, and walk in confident you can perform under pressure.
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