Practicing Case Interviews

Undergraduate Management Consulting Association

Agenda
Demystify the case interview  Identify evaluation criteria  Discuss preparation strategies  Provide overview of an interview  Demonstrate an interview  Small group exercises


Demystifying the Case Interview



What is a case interview?

Definition: A scenario-based problem solving scenarioactivity

Are there different types of case interviews?

Resume based cases Brain teasers or puzzles Typical consulting project or project on which the consultant is currently working
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Examples of Typical Cases



Profitability case:
You are the consultant to a company that produces large household appliances. Over the past 3 years, profit margins have fallen 20% and market share has tumbled to 15% of the market from 25%. What is the source of the company s problems?

Market entry:
A multi-billion dollar consumer brand product multimanufacturer is considering introducing their flagship brand into Asia. What would you advise?

Why are case interviews used?

Gives firms a sense of how you might approach a real consulting case or project  Enables firms to assess candidate along multiple dimensions


A rich selection tool



Many companies and industries are moving toward more case interviews
Marketing, I-Banking, Microsoft I5

What will they be evaluating?

Logical/analytical thought process  Business insight/judgment  Quantitative skills  Creativity/inquisitiveness  Decision making ability  Communication skills  Response to pressure/lack of information  Interpersonal skills

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Sources for practicing case interviews



Case interview books

CASE IN POINT, Marc P. Cosentino The Fast Track, Miriam Naficy

   

Vault Guide to the Case Interview or Wetfeet Ace your Case Free on UCSO website Consulting firm websites Other students One-onOne-on-one sessions with a coach, contingent upon securing a case interview
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Develop a preparation strategy

Look at online sources  Be proactive about practicing with other students  Walk through questions on your own (using the worksheet provided)  Set a target of practicing 40-60 interviews 40before you have a real one!


Typical interview flow

      

Listen as interviewer gives question/case Restate/clarify case issues briefly Take a minute or two to structure/generate hypothesis Communicate overview of your road map to the interviewer Proceed with your questions/analysis and be the tour guide along the way Take a minute to gather thoughts if necessary (but be careful with this as not all firms dig it) State your recommendation and support it
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Frameworks structure your analysis



It depends on the question which framework to use. For example:

Attractiveness of an industry Porter s 5 Forces Evaluate a market Four Ps Analyze new product introduction or industry analysis Four Cs

Use the framework as a way to structure your thoughts.

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Focus on demonstrating two key elements



Analytical horsepower
Be a problem solver Be structured Be transparent

Communication and interpersonal skills

Connect with the interviewer Show poise, maturity, confidence

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A few do s and don ts



Do .
Listen carefully Be structured Ask questions Think out loud Reach closure Connect with interviewer

Don t .
Race through the case Force-fit frameworks ForceGet stuck in analysis paralysis Offend the interviewer

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The key to success



Practice, practice, practice

And when you think you have practiced enough, practice even more! Hopefully you can get to the point where these are actually second nature and FUN!
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