Case Interviews
A case interview is a unique job interview technique used predominantly by management consulting firms (and increasingfly investment banks and tech companies) to assess your analytical skills in a pressured real-time environment. Employers want to see that you can quickly analyze information, structure an answer, and perform basic calculations with large numbers. The interviewer is looking for you to demonstrate a thought process that is both analytical and creative rather than a specific, correct answer.
What are Employers Looking For in Candidates?
- Ability: Skills such as analytical thinking, resiliency, and communication are vital components to be considered ready to solve business problems in a professional setting.
- Coachability: No one expects an intern to be the expert while working on your undergraduate degree, but they want you to be willing and able to ask questions, make suggestions, and adjust your analysis. Being able to elicit and apply feedback as you answer a case interview question will showcase your ability to learn and grow.
- Client Readiness: This quality requires a combination of technical competence, industry knowledge, effective communication, and collaboration. By showcasing a deep understanding of the client's needs, demonstrating analytical prowess, and effectively communicating solutions, you can exhibit readiness to engage with clients and make valuable contributions.
- Fit: Employers regularly look for alignment between a candidate's personality, values, and goals with those of the organization. Assessing fit ensures candidates possess the necessary skills and thrive within the company's culture and work environment.
General Categories of Case Questions
| Type of Case | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Business Case | A scenario to gauge your general business knowledge and how you logically apply it. Questions may focus on different areas such as profit/loss, organizational structure, pricing or growth strategy, and marketing. | Example 1: An airline finds that, while its revenues are high, it is still operating at a loss. What is going on? Example 2: “Our client is considering acquiring a company that makes a certain type of medical device. What do they need to consider in making their decision?” |
| Market-Sizing | Estimation questions require logical deduction and general statistical information to estimate some number or size | Example 1: "How many lightbulbs are there in Manhattan?" Example 2: "Are there more iPhones in operation in the US or China?" |
| Quantitive Questions and Brain Teasers | These questions serve to see how well you think on your feet and gauge creativity and problem-solving skills. | Example 1: "How much does Starbucks in Times Square earn in annual revenue?" Example 2: "Why are manhole covers round? |
Additional Sample Questions
Potential Case Interview Questions
8 Most Used Questions
4-Part Approach to Answering a Case Interview Question
- Opening: Ensure you understand the question or the problem presented
- Structure: Brainstorm and organize all key factors relevant to the problem to ensure you address them in a complete and logical manner
- Analysis: Gather data to identify which factors are most important and use them to develop a recommendation for the client
- Conclusion: Present your recommendations in a well-structured and persuasive manner
Web Resources:
Case Study Guides:
Books:
- Flawless Consulting by Peter Block
- Hacking the Case Interview by Taylor Warfield
- The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook by Taylor Warfield
- Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng