Primer on Case Interviews

August 12, 2013

Introduction to case frameworks

Agenda
Interview Structure
Types of Case Interviews
Live Case Demonstration
Approaching the Case Interviews
Typical Fit Questions
Prep Resources
Mentorship Program

Types of Case Interviews

Brain Teasers /
Estimation cases

Market Size Estimation

Guess Estimates

Business Cases

Profitability
Market Entry
Growth Strategy
New Product
Competition
In House Vs. Outsourcing

Comfort with Ambiguity

Ability to structure
Ease with numbers
Ability to think out of box

Analytical Skills
Ability to structure
The big picture perspective
Details

Types of cases
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

Profitability
Market attractiveness/market entry
New product/service introduction
Marketing a new product/service
Pricing a product
Investment decision

and many more.

Sample Case Demonstration

Approaching the Case Interviews

Approaching the Case Interviews

Approaching the Case Interviews

Approaching the Case Interviews

Approaching the Case Interviews

Approaching the Case Interviews

General Approach to a Case

1

Business Situation / Client Objectives

Issue

Issue

Issue

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Key
Question

Key
Question

Key
Question

Key
Question

Key
Question

Key
Question

Recommendation

General Approach Example

U.S Subsidiary of a French spring water bottler is
experiencing a drop in profits despite overall
market growth. Why?

Revenue is flat after

years of growth

Distribution costs
are rising

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Key Question

Key Question

Key Question

Key Question

Not just a test of Academic skills

Skills
AnalyticalSkills

StrategicThinking

KeyQuestions
Is the candidate thinking creatively?
Is the candidate demonstrating analytical horsepower?
Is the candidate logical, intuitive, detail oriented, big picture?
Is the candidate comfortable discussing the multi-functional aspects of the case?
Is the candidate examining the organizational and cultural issues as well as functional and strategic
issues?
Is the candidate approaching the problem at the right level of detail?

StructuringSkills

Is the candidate good at organizing the information provided?

Is the candidate good at developing a framework for analyzing the information?
Is the candidate stating assumptions clearly?

InterpersonalSkills

Is the candidate relaxed and confident?

Communication
Skills
WorkingStyle

Is the candidate engaging?

Is the candidate a good listener?
Is the candidate asking insightful, clarifying questions?
Attitude for team-work?
Is the candidate participatory, verbal, aggressive?

Typical Fit Questions

Walk me through your resume

Tell me what you are most proud of on your resume

Why are you interested in Consulting?

Why have to chosen to interview at our firm?

Why should we hire you?

Are you comfortable working in teams? Any experiences to share?

Have you demonstrated leadership in the past?

Tell me about this high/low point on your CV

Do you have any questions for me?

Tell me your major strengths and weaknesses.

Prep Resources
Casebooks
Practice Cases

Case Frameworks

Company websites
Online content

Casebooks

Sector Info

News, Blogs, Websites, etc.

Sector reports
Sector summaries & rems

Personals

Placecom Questions
Feedback NBs

Thank You