Case Interviews--Suggestions and Tips

GodblessIndia · Post by **GodblessIndia** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 4:46 pm

Hello All,

I am currently exploring an opportunity with a top Consulting firm and one of the interviews I have lined up for this job is wht is called "Case interviews". I understand that this kind of interviewing is a common thing for MBA grads who btw are rigorously taught by their career services (through workshops et all) and peers to crack such interview. However. I am not an MBA, instead have an MS from top school here in the US and have never gone through one before. Although I have been able to find tons of valuable materials online, including videos and stuff, it wont hurt to hear from folks who have been there and done that!:)

So, please post some of the Do's and Dont's and personal experiences (INCLUDING WHT THE ACTUAL CASE WAS and what framework was used to crack it). This will give me valuable materials/topics to apply and practice wht I am learning.

Thanks in advance.

-GBI

mithin2006 · Post by **mithin2006** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 7:21 pm

See if you can get your hands on wetfeet guides. Also, Vault has a guide for case interviews. There is no magical code to "crack" a case so don't get suckered into figuring out the "process" - they just want to see your business thinking and your structuring of a problem. By the way, which consulting firm is this?

kalki · Post by **kalki** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:17 pm

Search the career section in Mckinsey, Bain, BCG, Booz Allen, and other top consulting firms. They all have sample cases and case tips. Be sure to know the standard frameworks (google), porter's forces etc. Consulting firms are more interested in how structured you are in your thinking and how you approach a problem. The best way is for you to practice with a friend doing mock cases. Reading cases and learning about frameworks only works to an extent. Practicing mock cases is key. Dont be afraid to take time to think on a structure before starting your response during the interview. Good luck.

GodblessIndia · Post by **GodblessIndia** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:36 pm

Thanks for the reply Karadi..You confirmed wht I am doing right now as a part of the preparation. I too read on various websites that the "structure" and approach is the key factor rather than whether one was able to solve the case or not. I quote wht I found on the net on this : "Interviewer is really looking at Process excellence rather than being lucky in solving the case".

I did research top consulting firms' website for sample cases whr most of it is Profitablity or M&A framework related, but I am really interested in cases related to 'capacity changes', 'Streamlining supply chain costs', Productivity improvement strategies et all..

Any suggestions??

karadi;276309Search the career section in Mckinsey, Bain, BCG, Booz Allen, and other top consulting firms. They all have sample cases and case tips. Be sure to know the standard frameworks (google), porter's forces etc. Consulting firms are more interested in how structured you are in your thinking and how you approach a problem. The best way is for you to practice with a friend doing mock cases. Reading cases and learning about frameworks only works to an extent. Practicing mock cases is key. Dont be afraid to take time to think on a structure before starting your response during the interview. Good luck.

PeterGriffin · Post by **PeterGriffin** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:27 am

GBI

I've got a few case studies that i had done before with regards to operations planning and SCM. It generally comprised of Porter's forces and a SWOT analysis before getting to the meat of the challenges/issues and a brief view of the possible solutions. Let me know if you want to take a look at it, i can email it to you.

ramkan · Post by **ramkan** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:38 am

Peter,

I am in the same boat. Do you mind mailing the case studies to me as well?

Thanks in advance

GodblessIndia · Post by **GodblessIndia** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 5:28 pm

PG,

Appreciate the offer..my interview is tomorrow and dont think I have the time to review any new material:(..for the past week I am trying to devour as much business concepts as I can (including Porter's 5 forces) and apply them to some egs I have found on the net.

Cheers!

PeterGriffin;276806GBI

I've got a few case studies that i had done before with regards to operations planning and SCM. It generally comprised of Porter's forces and a SWOT analysis before getting to the meat of the challenges/issues and a brief view of the possible solutions. Let me know if you want to take a look at it, i can email it to you.