The Case Study
Interview
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
Types of Case Study
Type
Example
Market Entry
An Asian crisp manufacturing company would like to
enter the UK Market, would you advise it to do so?
New Product Introduction
Should a baby food manufacturer start producing
dummies?
Positioning & Marketing
A high street bank is offering a new type of loan. How
should it be marketed?
Performance improvement
strategies
A mobile phone company is reporting rising sales but
declining revenue – why?
Benefits Assessment
An airline CEO has asked you to evaluate the benefits
and pitfalls of electronic ticketing
Mergers & Acquisitions
Should a wine producer buy a beer company or cheese
factory?
Brain Teasers
Why are manhole covers round?
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?
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
Tips for tackling the Case!
Analyse the information
-
-
Use appropriate frameworks (Porters 5 forces, BCG Growth Share
matrix, 4 P’s, 3C’s)
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
What does an interviewer look for?
Skill
Thoughts
Analytical
Skills
o Is the student thinking creatively?
o Are they approaching the problem logically?
Strategic
Thinking
o Is the student using the correct business frameworks?
o Are they considering organisational and process issues?
Problem
Solving
o Has student correctly prioritised the issues?
o Is the student breaking down the problem into logical components?
o Is the student clearly stating their assumptions?
Effective
Communica
tion
o Is the student asking relevant questions?
o Are they articulating their thoughts clearly?
o Is the student being persuasive?
Working
Style
o Is the student relaxed and confident?
o Is the student demonstrating good team skills?
o What impression would the student give to a client?
SWOT
Analysis.
Porter’s 5
Forces
Models &
Frameworks
Cost-Benefit
Analysis
Boston
Consulting Growth
Share Matrix
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/career
s/hub/video/
Useful Weblinks
www.consultancylinks.com
www.casequestions.com
http://www.occstrategy.com
/node/453
www.insidecareers.com
http://www.bcg.com/careers
/interview_prep/interactive_
splash.html
http://www.marakon.com/ca
r_app_grad_case.html
http://www.mckinsey.com/
careers/how_do_i_apply/
how_to_do_well_in_the_i
nterview/case_interview/p
ractice_cases/great%20b
urger.aspx
http://www.oliverwyman.c
om/ow/4797.htm
http://targetjobs.co.uk/ma
nagementconsulting/applicationsand-interviews-for-thissector.aspx
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
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