Analytical Gauge problem solving ability Does the candidate think in a clear and logical way Is the candidate effective at identifying key issues Is the candidate comfortable with decision making under uncertainty ID: 657858
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Case Interviews Why the Case Approach?" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Case InterviewsSlide2
Why the Case Approach?
Analytical:
Gauge
problem solving
ability
Does the candidate think in a clear and logical way?
Is the candidate effective at identifying key issues?Is the candidate comfortable with decision making under uncertainty?Can the candidate think on his/her feet?Is the candidate creative?
Interpersonal: Gauge client relationship
skills
Does the candidate listen well?
Can the candidate communicate clearly?
Does the candidate have a compelling personality?
Does the candidate show self-confidence?Slide3
Types of CasesSlide4
What’s In a Business Case?Slide5
Candidate SkillsSlide6
How to Approach a Case Interview
Develop A
Logical, Structured Approach
Show the interviewer how you are going to approach the problem
Understand The Problem
Clarif
y the question being asked
Conduct
Analysis
Using your structure, ask
targeted
questions and explore key business issues to move
toward a solution
Summarize
& Wrap Up
Summarize your
analysis, provide a recommendation, and state next steps
1
2
3
4Slide7
How to Approach a Case Interview
Develop A
Logical, Structured Approach
Understand The Problem
Conduct
Analysis
Summarize
& Wrap Up
1
2
3
4
Take notes while the interviewer
reads the case
Determine what the case is and is not about
A market entry case can be about either:
The wisdom of such a move – Corporate Strategy
Implementing the business decision – Operations Strategy
Determine the key issue(s) and scope of the case by asking clarifying questions
Prioritize the issues
State and validate your assumptionsSlide8
How to Approach a Case Interview
Develop A
Logical, Structured Approach
Understand The Problem
Conduct
Analysis
Summarize
& Wrap Up
1
2
3
4
State your approach to the interviewer
Demonstrates your ability to break
down a complex problem into manageable pieces
Provides
a roadmap for both you and the interviewer to follow throughout the case
A
good structure is:
An outline of how you are going to gather information and analyze the issues
Appropriate for the specific case – don’t force a framework that doesn’t fitSlide9
How to Approach a Case Interview
Sample Frameworks
Develop A Logical, Structured Approach
Understand The Problem
Conduct
Analysis
Summarize & Wrap Up
1
2
3
4
Sketch out an “issue tree” that is MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive)
Be comfortable using several classic “Business Frameworks”
SWOT –
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
4 C’s –
Customers, Competition, Cost, Capabilities
Marketing 4 P’s –
Price, Product, Position, Promotion
Porter’s 5 Forces
– Buyers, Suppliers, Substitutes, Potential Entrants, CompetitionsSlide10
How to Approach a Case Interview
Develop A
Logical, Structured Approach
Understand The Problem
Conduct
Analysis
Summarize
& Wrap Up
1
2
3
4
Based on your structured approach, think out loud and ask questions to analyze the case
Explore
the key business issues for each
element in your framework
Validate hypotheses through questions and analysis
Weave in key industry trends and best practices
Be flexible and keep moving
Use verbal
and non-verbal feedback from the interviewer to determine which pieces are important and if your analysis is on-point
Tell the interviewer when you are moving on to a new component of the case
Adapt
to any new information presented
Determine
additional steps you would need to take to move forward (e.g., more data, additional interviews
)Slide11
How to Approach a Case Interview
Develop A
Logical, Structured Approach
Understand The Problem
Conduct
Analysis
Summarize
& Wrap Up
1
2
3
4
Summarize key findings
Begin by repeating the problem
Be concise in your wrap-up
Make a recommendation for next steps
Display confidence and be persuasive
Outline the pros / cons of the decision
Support your conclusion with facts you have identified
Describe expected impact and measures of success
Slide12
How to Prepare
Know your material and know yourself.
Brush
up on your diagnostic models
3 C’s, 4 P’s, etc.
Frameworks can help you structure your thoughts
You do NOT need to use any specific framework to do
well – just an organized approach
Obtain a practice case guide to gain understanding of case format and what a good, structured answer looks like
Understand what your own strengths and weaknesses are
Are you naturally quantitative? Practice delivery and relationship building
skills.
Are you naturally engaging? Work on your problem solving
techniques.
Practice, practice, practice
Review case studies on firm websites
Find friends to interview youSlide13
Tips for Successful Case Interviewing
Case Interviews assess more than just your problem solving skills. It is important to display professionalism, poise, and energy no matter how stressed you are.
Be poised.
When the interviewer gives the case interview question, do not rush into the analysis and response. Take a few minutes to write down key information and structure your thinking in your mind or on paper.
Don’t jump into your answer right away.
Reiterate your interviewer’s key points to show you are listening and be flexible enough to address non-verbal cues throughout the case. If the interviewer redirects you, do not fight them.
Demonstrate you are listening.
A good approach is often more important than the final “answer.” Ask questions and test assumptions before committing to an approach. This demonstrates logical thinking and careful planning.
Focus on the approach.
Make sure that the interviewer understands the roadmap you are following
…
“There are three issues I see facing company ABC...First, I will analyze one, then...” When doing math, talk through each of your calculations.
Think out loud.
Slide14
Tips for Successful Case Interviewing
To help structure your approach and develop a roadmap, draw pictures and sketch out your ideas. Let the interviewer see what you are doing.
Diagram your approach
.
There is no one “right” answer, however your recommendation should be clear and logical. Bonus points for innovative and non-traditional solutions.
Be creative.
Be conscious of time and leave yourself enough time to pull your analysis together and make a concise, decisive recommendation with options to consider. Be prepared to “wrap it up” even if you run out of time.
Finish strong.
Learn techniques to relax. Do not appear flustered or frustrated, even if you feel the case is going poorly. You never know, so keep pushing along!
Relax and try to enjoy the exercise.
Slide15
Questions