Preparing Yourself:

Case Interviewing

Content by
Marc P. Cosentino, author “Case in
Point: Complete Case Interview
Preparation”

Presented by
Sara Stein Koch, Ph.D.
Director, UMCC
Director, Recruiting & Professional
Development
 Why Case Questions?
• Test analytical ability and logical thinking
• Tolerance for ambiguity
• Communication under pressure
• Creativity
 Typical Rounds of Interviews
Round 1
Two 45-minute back to back interviews
Round 2
Three 60-minute back to back interviews
Round 3
Three 60-minute back to back interviews
 What you Bring
Portfolio
Resume
Graph paper
Written questions
 Types of Questions
Situation ex. Car/boss rain
Brain teaser ex. Manhole cover
Market sizing ex. Population,
(back of the envelope) household, individual
Factor questions ex. New drug in market
Business cases ex. Profitability, industry
analysis, pricing & strategic planning
 Case scenarios
1. Strategy Scenarios:
entering new market
industry analysis
M &A’s
Developing a new product
pricing/ growth strategies
competitive response
2. Operations Scenarios:
increasing sales
reducing costs
improving the bottom line
 First four Steps
1. Summarize the question

2. Verify the objective

3. Ask clarifying questions

4. Identify the case (what kind is it?)

 Next four Steps
5. Manage your time

6. Work the numbers

7. Be coachable

8. Be creative and brainstorm

What are they looking for?
Relaxed
Good listener
Asking insightful questions
Thinking creatively
Stating assumptions clearly
Trying to quantify responses
 Show your Skill Sets
Math without
a
Calculator

Percentages
Break-even
Net present value
Multiplication and
Division with lots of
zeros
 Gator Computers & Electronics
1)Market size

Just Answer Question 1

 Gator Computers & Electronics
Market size= 300mil US pop
3/ household= 100 mil households
HDTV expensive so 20% of homes=20 mil

25% not interested

25% might order 1= 5mil
50% might order 2= 20mil
But, half might wait until $ drop
12.5 mil
 Show your Skill Sets
Math without a Thinking and
Calculator Writing Graphically

Percentages
Break-even Market 2

Net present value

Multiplication and
Market 1 Market 3
Division with lots of
zeros
International market
 NKA Airlines
Factors in developing the strategy

Our client is a venture capitalist. It seems that every flight she’s

on she is seated next to parents with restless children. She likes
quiet flights so she can get her work done or just sleep. She has
formed a syndicate of venture capital firms to start an airline
which caters to adults- 21 or older. No kids allowed.
She has financing, but what are some of the main factors she
needs to consider and plan out to get the airline up and running.
 NKA Airlines
Factors in developing the strategy

1. Industry and Market Analysis

trends/ forecast/players/barriers/entry strat
2. Management
who will run the airline
3. Marketing
4. Competitive response
 Show your Skill Sets
Math without a Thinking and Chart Analysis and
Calculator Writing Graphically Design

Percentages
Break-even Market 2

Net present value 100

90

Multiplication and 80
70
Market 1 Market 3
60
Division with lots of
Optimistic
50 Pessimistic

zeros 40
30
Break-even

20
International market
10
0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
 Gator Computers & Electronics
2) Factors in developing the strategy
3) Business case: pricing strategy
 Gator Computers & Electronics
Questions:
Any disadvantages?
Substitutions/patented?
Cannibalizing our own?
Factors:
Industry analysis
Ad campaign
Competitive response
Distribution channels
Who are the customers
 Gator Computers & Electronics
Pricing Strategies:
think through-
competitive pricing and response
cost based pricing
price based costing
Initial pricing high or low
Different models at different price ranges
Quick entry into market
 Successful Candidates
1. Committed to consulting
2. Success oriented –client and company
3. Strong analytical skills
4. Articulate, positive and
non-defensive
 Few other examples
1. How many Netflix DVD’s get lost or stolen through
the mailing process?
2. GE invents a new bulb that never wears out. It
could burn for more than 500 years. The director of
marketing asks “How would you price this?”
3. DuPont has just invented a lightweight super
absorbent biodegradable material that would be
perfect for disposable diapers. What should they do
with it?
 Additional Resources

The Harvard Guide to Consulting Case Questions

CaseQuestions.com
The Harvard Guide to Consulting
Your faculty