A case interview or case method interview involves questions in which you
will be asked to solve a hypothetical industry-related problem. These problems
will be similar to ones the organization may encounter during their regular
course of business. The interviewer is not necessarily seeking a "correct"
answer to the problem, but wants to evaluate your problem solving and analytical
reasoning skills. Be prepared to justify your answer and walk the interviewer
through your solution on a step-by-step basis. You may have to ask questions of
the interviewer if you feel you do not have adequate information to arrive at a
valid solution.
What types of companies use case interviews?
According to wetfeet.com The case interviewing style is particularly common
among management consulting firms, law firms, counseling and social work
organizations, police departments, and other organizations that place a premium
on understanding your thought process. Most likely, the case will be the final
part of a screening or hiring manager interview.
What are they typically like?
According to Bain &
Company, a good case interview should be an enjoyable and thoughtful
discussion of business issues and problem-solving techniques. The interviewer is
not looking for a "right answer" or asking you to spit back memorized business
terms, current events or well-known frameworks. Rather, the interviewer hopes to
see a good dose of problem-solving skills, creativity and common sense. A good
interview will be fun and full of energy!
Components of
the case interview
The following components are typical of a case interview, per The University
of California Berkeley Hass Business School:
1. Opening: The interviewer describes a business problem to you. Do
not jump to a response. Instead, gather as much information as possible so you
understand the true problem.
2. Your questions: You are expected to
analyze the problem and ask questions in the areas that you think are important.
3. In-depth exploration of a branch: If you asked a question that is
in an area the interviewer wants to explore, the interviewer may answer your
question and then ask a follow-up question that will explore this area in more
depth.
4. Analysis and conclusion. Usually, a specific area of the
mock client's business is critical to the solution of the problem: The
interviewer will either drive you to this area or let you know you've reached it
by asking follow-up questions. Always state your assumptions when presenting an
opinion.
5. Communication: You may be asked to summarize your
conclusion as if you were recommending it to a client to test your communication
skills.
A case interview process outlined above requires candidates to approach the
problem as a "hypothesis driven" exercise. Such an exercise typically goes
through the following process:
Collecting background information
Forming the rough cut
hypothesis
Collecting further information to prove/disprove the
hypotheses.
If necessary, collecting even more information.
Finalizing the insights, drawing the conclusions and formulating
recommendations.
Case interviews rarely get to the last stages of this process. Instead they
either tend to be general and focus on the early stages of collecting background
information and forming rough cut hypotheses, or be specific and focus on
collecting information to test and refine the hypotheses.
Case Commandments
According to Marc P. Cosentino, author of casequestions.com & the book
Case In Point, the following commandments should be followed when answering a
case interview question.
1. Listen to the Question
Listening is the most important
skill a consultant has. The case isn't about you or the consultant; its about
the client. What are they really asking for? Pay particular attention to the
last sentence one word can change the entire case.
2. Take
Notes
Taking notes during the case interview allows you to check back
with the facts of the case. As someone once said, "The palest ink is stronger
than the best memory." If you blank out, all the information is right in front
of you.
3. Summarize the Question
After you are given the
question, take a moment to summarize the highlights out loud:
It shows
the interviewer that you listened
It allows you to hear the
information again
It keeps you from answering the wrong question
It fills the otherwise awkward pause when you're trying to think of
something intelligent to say
4. Verify the Objective(s)
Professional consultants always ask their clients to verify their
objective(s). Even if the objectives seem obvious, there could be an additional
underlying objective. When the objective seems apparent, phrase the questions
differently: "One objective is to increase sales. Are there any other objectives
I should know about?"
5. Ask Clarifying Questions
You ask
questions for three main reasons:
To get additional information that
will help you identify and label the question
To demonstrate to the
interviewer that you are not shy about asking probing questions under difficult
circumstances (something you'll be doing on a regular basis as a consultant)
To turn the question into a conversation. Nothing turns an
interviewer off quicker than a five-minute monologue.
6. Organize
Your Answer
Identify and label your case, then lay out your structure.
This is the hardest part of a case and the most crucial. It drives your case
and is often the major reason behind whether you get called
back.
7. Hold that Thought for "One Alligator"
The
interviewer wants you to think out loud, but think before you speak. If you make
a statement that is way off-base in an interview, the interviewer will wonder if
he can trust you in front of a client.
8. Manage Your Time
Your answer should be as linear as possible. Don't get bogged down in the
details. Answer from a macro level and move the answer forward. Stay focused on
the original question.
9. By the Numbers
If possible, try
to work numbers into your answer. Demonstrate that you think quantitatively and
that you are comfortable with numbers.
10. Be Coachable
Listen to the interviewers feedback. Is she trying to guide you back on
track? Pay attention to her body language. Are you boring her or is she
enthralled?
11. Be Creative and Brainstorm
Consulting
firms like liberal arts candidates with intellectual curiosity who can "think
outside the box" and offer up a new and interesting
perspective.
12. Exude Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude
Recruiters want people who are excited by problem solving and can carry that
enthusiasm throughout the entire interview.
13. Bring Closure and
Summarize
Create a sense of closure by summarizing the case. Review your
findings, restate your suggestions, and make recommendations.
Where Can I find Sample Case Interview Questions?
Mercer Management Consulting has several interactive case studies on their
website.
http://www.mercermc.com/defaultFLASH.asp?section=Join&path=Interview/ichome.asp
McKinsey & Company Online Case Study.
hhttp://www.mckinsey.com/aboutus/careers/
Capital One Online Case Study with suggestions on the questions and factors
to consider during a case interview. http://www.capitalone.com/careers/caseindex.shtml
Additional Information on Case Interviews
Casequestions.com (http://www.quintcareers.com/case_interviews.html)
Boston
Consulting Group
http://www.bcg.com/careers/interview_prep/Interview_prep_Splash.jsp
University
of California Berkeley- Hass School of Business
http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/careercenter/interviewing.html
