Overview
A case interview is a type of job interview in which the candidate must analyze and solve a problematic business scenario. It is used to simulate the situation on-the-job and to find out if the respective candidate meets the necessary analytical and communications skills required for the profession.
Case interviews are commonly and globally used during the selection processes at management consulting firms such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), or Bain & Company. It is the most relevant part of the process for consulting jobs and they are usually based on projects that the hiring firm have delivered for a client. It is an exercise that requires a logical approach to finding the problem and appropriate solution.
Case Interview Format
- ~ 5 minutes: Introduction and small talk
- ~ 15 minutes: Personal Fit Interview
- ~ 30 minutes: Case Interview
- ~ 5 minutes: Your questions to the interviewer
What skills are tested?
1) Problem-Solving Skills
The interviewer will analyze your ability to identify problems, isolate causes, and prioritize issues. During a case interview, you will be presented with a wide range of relevant and irrelevant data pieces. You must know how to use this data to make your recommendations and you have to prove that you are able to construct a logical argumentation without rushing to conclusions based on insufficient evidence.
2) Creativity and Business Sense Skills
As a consulting candidate, you should know the basic business concepts as well as show a certain amount of business sense and creativity. If the interviewer asks you to find innovative ideas to increase the profitability of a hotel chain, you will have to come up with a range of ideas that make business sense. You are not expected to have deep knowledge of the hospitality industry, but to be able to ask relevant and insightful questions on the aspects important for you to solve the client’s issue at hand.
3) Structure
Maintaining a structure means that you solve the question with a clear step-by-step approach that you communicate actively towards your interviewer. A good structure is the most important part of a case interview as it is the underlying base of your whole approach and argumentation. It is also the main reason why candidates fail their case interviews. A common mistake that candidates make is that they try to apply standardized frameworks to any case they are given. Instead, you should solve each case by creating a framework specifically tailored to its needs – as you would do as a consultant on the job.
4) Math Skills
As a consultant, part of your job is number crunching and interpreting data. Therefore, it is important that you have a good feeling for numbers and have great mental math skills. You should be able to perform simple calculations in your sleep.
5) Communication Skills
In times of digitalization, soft skills become more and more important for management consultants. On the job, you will be in contact with high-level CEOs, clients, partners, and colleagues. Strong communication is crucial for you to get your work done efficiently. Thus, your interviewer will pay close attention to the way you communicate and present yourself during your conversation. Always be professional, answer concisely, and communicate the key message first.