Case Interviewing

Career Advising and Planning Services 2010-2011

Why the case interview?

Case interviews simulate real world experiences

We evaluate you on your ability to think about and structure an approach to solving a business problem, not on whether you get the right answer. A good case interview should be fun and through provoking - Bain

Consultants are continually called upon to analyze complex, often ambiguous problems and scenarios and develop solutions. The case interview is designed to simulate this thought process Oliver Wyman

Demonstrate your ability to structure thinking, respond to complex or ambiguous problems, and reach sound conclusions with limited facts in a short time. From your side the case study should give you a real insight into the type of work that our firm does. If you enjoy the case discussion with your interview, its likely that you will enjoy working at our firm - McKinsey

Cracking a case, Step 1: Preparation

PRACTICE at least 20 cases with friends, colleagues, people you know in consulting, and through CAPS (attend case workshops). Reading cases is not appropriate preparation Come relaxed and with a pen and paper to take notes and do brief calculations Research the interviewing company -it will demonstrate knowledge of the firm and might give you a sense of the flavor of the case question. Get in the right mindset There is no one right answer to cases. Firms want to see how you think Dont over prepare; every interview is different and no set formula will do it all Think of your interviewer as a partner in solving the case

Cracking a case, Step 2: Take your time

Take a couple of minutes to gather your thoughts, jot down preliminary ideas, and formulate intelligent questions; Nobody is impressed by instantaneous answers LISTEN TO THE QUESTION and figure out what the interviewer is asking. Repeat the question back or paraphrase to be sure you are clear on the concepts Ask clarifying questions. If you are tempted to make an assumption, STOP! Ask the interviewer first for information that they have If you still feel confused about the industry, put yourself in the shoes of the industry. For example, if you are solving a problem about the pharmaceutical industry, think about the last time you filled a prescription and work your way back from there

Cracking a case, Step 3: Structure

Devise a coherent structure for approaching, organizing, and breaking down the case 1. State your assumptions and the facts you were given 2. Outline for the interviewer how you are thinking about the problem 3. Stick to your structure and move methodically, addressing issues point-bypoint. Know some basic business structures to fall back on 4. Prioritize your responses instead of stating a laundry list of options

Cracking a case, Step 4: Ask questions

Ask questions to clarify the issues, scope of the case, or time frame early on; these are often the case crackers All the data are NOT given immediately. The interviewer has the information you need. Youll never know its there until you ask for it Let the interview lead you in the right direction by listening to the information provided, even if this means changing course

Cracking a case, Step 5: Show your thinking

Be explicit when making assumptions as you walk through your structure. Why do you believe your assumptions are valid? Formulate hypotheses that might explain the problem. Express them to the interviewer Walk your interviewer through your thought process and equations/math as you go through them. Show calculations Simplify your assumptions and calculations when possible: use round numbers. Dont overly complicate the question or your methodology

Cracking a case, Step 6: Synthesize

State answers to your hypotheses as you go and the rationale. Stay away from caveats like maybe or possibly Maintain the context of the question: what is the macro context of your plan? What question are you answering? Are you spending time and effort on the key elements that answer the question? It is likely you will be asked to summarize the problem, your findings so far, and what other questions are outstanding at some point during the case

Potential business frameworks profitability

Profit = Revenues - cost Profit Revenues Price Volume Costs Variable Fixed

Related concepts: Breakeven units = Fixed costs/(unit selling price variable cost) Margin = Sales price variable cost Pricing: Cost plus pricing vs. variable based pricing vs. target return pricing Elasticity of demand

Potential business frameworks market sizing

Most frequently used

Top down Size of population Break down by characteristics (% of people in particular demographic) Usage Related concepts: Market segments and usage patterns Cyclical business Similar industries

Bottoms up Local level Usage Gross up

Potential business frameworks cost/benefit or risk/reward

Applicable: prioritization problem

Benefit

H i g h

L o w Low Cost High

Potential business frameworks Porters 5 forces

Applicable: market attractiveness or evaluation of companys strategic position problem

Threat of new entrants

Bargaining power of suppliers

Rivalry among existing competitors

Bargaining power of buyers

Threat of substitute products or services

Related concepts: Switching costs Complementary industries and products Economies of scale
Source: Porters

Potential business frameworks SWOT Analysis

Applicable: evaluation of a new opportunity problem Helpful Harmful

Strengths
Internal

Weaknesses

External

Opportunities

Threats

Source: Humphrey

Potential business frameworks 4Cs

Applicable: business strategy and new market opportunity

Customer Who are they? What are their needs? Are those needs changing? Can the customers be categorized in a useful manner? Competition What are they up to? Are they changing prices, volume, or location? What advantages do they have? What disadvantages? Cost What are the major costs? Fixed and variable? How do they compare to competitors? Company What are your mission and objectives? What differentiates your company from others?

Potential business frameworks 5 Ps

Applicable: marketing and new product development People What are your customers needs? What drives their needs? Product How is it differentiated? What are the benefits? Price How is it priced? How elastic is the demand? Place (distribution) What are your distribution channels? Are these the right channels for the customer base? Promotion What is your marketing strategy? How and where will you promote it against the competition?

Consulting interview resources

Join a case interview study group or sign up for a consulting case competition through the University of Chicago Consulting Club (UCCC) [email protected]

See a CAPS counselor who specializes in consulting or book a mock case interview with the CAPS practice interviewers Call 773.702.7040 to make an appointment Practice consulting interviews through InterviewStream This online tool allows
you practice consulting interview questions anytime, anywhere! Use your webcam to record your responses, watch them (re-record them if you want) and send to mentors or counselors for feedback. Login to CCC and click InterviewStream on your Home page

Attend CAPS consulting programs - https://caps.uchicago.edu/events/calendar.html Take sample case interviews on employer websites