Practice makes perfect
It is one thing to tear apart a business problem in the privacy of your own space. But it is an entirely different endeavor to walk through that analysis out loud for a complete stranger – someone who has done the analysis herself in the real world, someone who is prepared to challenge your thoughts and even be a bit antagonistic. How many of us have tried to explain a solution to someone else and stumbled on words, stuttered, threw in a few too many ums, or had to retrace our steps after losing our place? How to ensure that you are as eloquent as possible in the interview? Simple: practice makes perfect.
Smart candidates realize that the case interview is a fit interview in disguise. The interviewer is checking you for analytic aptitude. In addition, the interviewer is getting a sense of what it would be like to work with you. How good are you at communicating your logic? How would clients perceive you? What would you be like to work with on a team? It is just as important to practice the actual vocal delivery of the analysis as it is to be able to think through the analysis itself. Don’t forget to smile once in a while! We know of a handful of people who walked right into their first case interview and nailed it. But for most of us, the case interview can be a tougher communication proposition than public speaking. The better prepared you are to walk through your thinking aloud and explain your analysis in clear, succinct sentences, the better you will do at the real thing. The good news is that you can learn to crack cases. The best way? Practice. Pair up with your friends, colleagues, or classmates. Have one person play the interviewer and the other person play the interviewee. The interviewer should read one of the sample cases beforehand, understand the analysis, and be prepared to guide the interviewee through the case. Make sure the interviewee hasn’t read through the case ahead of time. The interviewer should then guide the interviewee through a mock interview. At the undergraduate level, include brainteasers and guesstimate questions in addition to a qualitative case. At the MBA level, you will want to use a slightly more complex business case.
After the questions, the interviewer might want to give the interviewee balanced feedback on his or her performance and go over the study notes. For example, you can score the interviewee’s performance as follows: • Presentation Shook hands, smiled, was well-dressed and displayed solid
manners and business etiquette throughout. Maintained eye contact throughout the interview. (10 points)
• Communication Relayed thoughts and ideas to the interviewer clearly and succinctly. Explained thought processes in sufficient detail for the interviewer. (30 points)
• Quantitative Skills Showed good facility with numbers, including guesstimates (15 points)
• Problem Solving Followed a logical, thorough, well-connected path of reasoning to solve the answer. Laid out a road map upfront and continued to think out loud. Used a framework if appropriate. Showed the ability to be flexible and change directions if the interviewer wanted to guide the case a different way. (30 points)
• Summary Wrapped up the case for the interviewer, bringing together the pieces of the puzzle and offering thoughtful recommendations and follow- up insights. (10)
• Questions Asked the interviewer two or three thoughtful questions specific to the interviewer’s firm. (5 points)
Of course, the actual breakdown will vary according to each firm you interview with. What will not change is the importance of how well you answer the questions, present yourself, and communicate your answer.
Best practices for practicing
Here are a few pointers to make sure you get the most out of your practice sessions.
1. Take it seriously.
If you are the interviewee, bring your leather notepad and favorite pen. Review the frameworks in this guide and apply them judiciously. Don’t forget to take notes while the interviewer is speaking, and nod and paraphrase to demonstrate good listening. Above all, don’t forget to answer the question.
If you are the interviewer, be realistic. Don’t be overly willing to give up the answers or hints without being asked, but if the interviewee asks for some help, go ahead and give it.
2. Simulate the actual case interview format.
Here is the typical format for a case interview (this will, of course, vary depending on the firm):
(1) Direct fit or behavioral questions: why consulting? Why this firm? Why you? (5-10 minutes)
(2) Case questions (15-20 minutes)
(3) Questions for the interviewer (3-5 minutes)
Case interviews often start with a handful of behavioral interview questions, and almost all of the time they will fall in some form of the 3 basic questions in (1). The interviewee should have quick, thorough answers to these questions ready. Also, pretend the interviewer is from a specific consulting firm, and have the interviewee prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer at the end.
3. Focus on communication.
This is a great environment for the interviewee to practice communicating his or her analysis in a succinct, clear, engaging manner.
4. Practice with different types of people.
You never know what kind of personality your interviewer will have, and you don’t want to get used to a certain case giver’s style. Moreover, we tend to be a little more forgiving of our friends. Try practicing with people you don’t know very well but who are willing to help you. These include current consultants, alumni of your school, career services employees or fellow students.