Case Interviews

Case interviews are given to test how much you will like consulting, and how much consulting
will like you. Despite what you might think, case interviews are not designed to torture you!
The case is a way to give you a feel for the kinds of questions consultants confront every day.
If you dont enjoy case interview problem solving, you probably wont enjoy consulting. Do
you like solving problems, finding clues, getting inside a riddle? Then you should plan to enjoy
the case interview.
The Boston Consulting Group.

Objective

Test your problem solving skills: analysis, synthesis, clarity, and logic
Find out how you think
Learn how you identify the relationship between facts
Learn how you would structure problem solving
Assess your ability to think under pressure
Assess your ability to be convincing and persuasive
Assess your degree of creativity and innovation

Preparation
Practice, Practice, Practice. There is no one answer to the question of preparation. The best
way to prepare is to practice case interviewing by simulating an actual interview. Work with a
counselor, or ask your friends to run by some case questions with you. There are also Web
sites with simulated cases for you to work through.
Familiarize yourself with basic business frameworks. Not all frameworks work with the case
questions you have been given but the following frameworks have been most helpful for
College of Business students:
The Five Cs Method
The Four Ps, or the Elements of Strategy
Michael Porters Five Forces, or the structural analysis of industries
Know ahead of time what the interviewer is looking at:
Communication skills
Common sense
Problem solving ability
Business sense
Quantitative skills
Ten Key Guidelines for Answering Questions
1. Ask questions
2. Back-translate
3. Take notes
4. Ask what the objective is
5. Organize your answer and manage your time
6. Think before you speak
7. Listen
8. Brainstorm and be creative
9. Think out loud
10. Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude

Additionally, employers are looking at your process of breaking down a general situation or
problem into its component parts and then how you re-synthesize the information.

The Case Process

The Case Process consists of five steps: case description, problem understanding, framework
development, issues analysis and hypothesis testing, and case summary. Each step is
discussed in detail below:
Case description: the description of the case comes in both verbal and written
format. There will be a variety of cases you will be given. What you will need to do is
to quickly grasp the situation, listen carefully to the problem, take notes as
appropriate (you may want to ask if you can take notes), and focus on understanding
the case objective.
Problem understanding: quickly and accurately identify key issues in the problem. If
you do not understand the case or feel the information given is incomplete, feel free to
ask questions. Lastly, summarize issues of discussion so there is a clear understanding
of the case.
Framework development: determine high level considerations in your mind first,
present them methodically as an outline, prioritize the issues in your mind, then
address the detail. As mentioned in Preparation there are a number of ways to
answer the case question. Use your best judgment when applying a framework.
Issues analysis and hypothesis testing: discussion of potential findings, insights
and implications, rational, and expected outcome will ensue.
Case summary: briefly summarize and close the case with likely findings and
approach. At this point you may solicit feedback as appropriate from the interviewer.

Types of Cases
There are several types of case questions. The three main case problems you will be receiving
are classic business questions, brain teasers, and guesstimates.
Classic business questions are given to see how much general business knowledge
candidates have and how they can logically apply this knowledge to a common
business problem. Your logic process is what theyre looking for. There are several
types of business questions that could be posed, in areas such as: profit/loss,
organizational structure, and marketing. One example of this type of question: An
airline finds that, while its revenues are at an all-time high, the company is still
operating at a loss. What is going on?
Brain teasers are logic questions used to gauge creativity, quantitative skills, and
problem solving skills. One example of this type of question: Why are manhole covers
round?
Guesstimates are questions in which a candidate needs to use logical deduction and
also general statistical information. One example of such a question might be: How
many divorces take place in the United States in any given year?
Make sure when given a case question you understand the question, organize your thoughts
and express your answer in an organized manner, and close with a statement that sells you
and your skills and restates or answers the question. Case Interviews will take different twists
and turns. Questions may seem like the interviewer is being social and trying to find out about
you, but in fact s/he is really trying to assess how you think about things. Sometimes an
interviewer will act uninterested in what you have to say, or may not ask you anything at all.
Keep in mind that the interviewer is trying to learn about your interpersonal skills. Think about
your reactions if the interviewer was a client. This will give you better preparation in these
types of unfocused interview or role-playing situations.

Resources

Sample Case Questions and Answers

Stern School of Business at NYU: http://www.stern.nyu.edu/~cfombrun/caseint.html
McKinsey and Company: http://www.mckinsey.com/career/case/buyfly/intro.html
Haas School of Business at Berkeley:
http://haas.berkeley.edu/~cbwweb/XXIII:10/jobguide.html

Additional Information about Case Interviewing and Consulting Careers

Web Sites
Fuqua School of Business at Duke University:
http://www.duke.edu/web/fuquacc/case/
The Consultants Corner: http://www.pwgroup.com/ccorner/
Management Consulting Online: http://www.cob.ohiostate.edu/~fin/jobs/mco/mco.html
Princeton Review Guides: Management Consulting:
http://www.review.com/career/find/car_search_show.cfm?id=90
Business Career Center Resource Room
Harvard Business School Career Guide: Management Consultingavailable in the
Business Career Center, Business 206
The Harvard College Guide to Consulting Case Questionsavailable in the Business
Career Center, Business 206
Additional
So, You Want to be a Consultant by Wet Feet Press. Available for purchase by calling
1-800-926-4JOBS
Ace Your Case! The Essential Management Consulting Case Workbook by Wet Feet
Press
Career Guide-Management Consulting, 1997, edited by Alex Miller

Interviewing Tips

Bring a copy of your unofficial transcript to each interview. Request a copy from the
Transcript Office in Regent Hall. Plan ahead. Request a copy several days prior to your
interview. You cannot obtain a copy on the same day as your request.
Bring an extra copy of your resume to the interview.
Attend Career Services presentations.
Make an appointment with a Career Counselor.
Sign up for a practice video interview.
Research the company before you interview. The more you know about a prospective
employer, the more at ease you will be during the actual interview.
Know what questions you want to ask.
Have an idea of what job or what type of job you would like to have in that
organization.
Confirm with the recruiter when you can expect to hear from the employer.
Write a follow-up letter to the company, expressing appreciation for the interview and
restating your interest in the organization and in the position that was discussed.
Remember that the job hunting process takes time. Each interview can help you clarify
your career goals.