The Case Study Interview

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The Case Study Interview

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What is a Case Study?

• Fundamental part of the consulting interview
• Tests your ability to assimilate written
  material, extract relevant points and present
  ideas
• Brain teaser, business strategy or operational
  type questions
• May be deliberately abstract, obscure or puzzling
• Be ready for the interviewer to become irritated
  often a ruse!
• Be ready for the unexpected and the introduction
  of last minute information
• Individual or Group

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Types of Case Study
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Why are Case Studies used?

• Simulates the actual job can you handle it?
• Assesses your creative analytical thinking and
  problem solving abilities
• How you will come across to a client
• Your ability to clearly explain ideas
• How you react under pressure can you think on
  your feet?

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Tips for tackling the Case!

• Clarify the problem
• Listen to or read data carefully
• Ask questions to clarify
• Ask questions to obtain further information
• Ensure a good understanding of the business issue
• Structure the issues
• Think before you speak
• Identify key issues
• Breakdown the problem into logical parts
• Use diagrams or mindmaps to clarify thinking

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Tips for tackling the Case!

• Analyse the information
• Use appropriate frameworks (Porters 5 forces, BCG
  Growth Share matrix, 4 Ps, 3Cs)
• Focus on most important issues first
• Assume interviewer has little or no knowledge of
  the topic
• Do not be afraid to admit mistakes and change
  direction if need be
• Explain assumptions you are making
• Keep asking questions
• Summarise and conclude
• Offer actionable solutions and clear
  recommendations
• Always refer back to original question

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What does an interviewer look for?
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Models Frameworks
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Cracking the Case

• http//www.mckinsey.com/careers/how_do_i_apply/how
  _to_do_well_in_the_interview.aspx
• http//www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/hub/vid
  eo/

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Useful Weblinks

• http//www.mckinsey.com/careers/how_do_i_apply/how
  _to_do_well_in_the_interview/case_interview/practi
  ce_cases/great20burger.aspx
• http//www.oliverwyman.com/ow/4797.htm
• http//targetjobs.co.uk/management-consulting/appl
  ications-and-interviews-for-this-sector.aspx

• www.consultancylinks.com
• www.casequestions.com
• http//www.occstrategy.com/node/453
• www.insidecareers.com
• http//www.bcg.com/careers/interview_prep/interact
  ive_splash.html
• http//www.marakon.com/car_app_grad_case.html

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Top Tips for success

• Your approach is more important than end result
• Listen carefully
• Think before you speak
• Ask questions
• Must be comfortable with basic arithmetic
• Use your judgement common sense

• Make notes
• Draw diagrams to aid explanation
• Articulate your thinking
• Demonstrate enthusiasm
• Show confidence, without being arrogant
• Be yourself
• RELAX ENJOY the process

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Students should not

• Force fit frameworks or models
• Expect to find the perfect answer
• Use too much jargon
• Present recommendations that are not realistic
• Be over dominant in group case studies