CASE INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

The Boston Consulting Group

AGENDA

Some questions you might have: What are case interviews? Why are they given? What do companies look for? How do I prepare for these things? Examples: Real case interviews

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

WHAT ARE CASE INTERVIEWS?

Two Main Types

Brain teaser (unusual at BCG)

How many pencils are sold annually in the United States? How many dogs are there in California? What are the chances of rolling double sixes three times in a row?

Business problem (BCG norm)

A pharmaceutical company is trying to decide whether to manufacture its drugs in house or outsource; how would you help? The company that owns Vail mountain has seen a decline in revenues over the past five years; what should it think about?

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

WHY ARE CASE INTERVIEWS GIVEN?

To Test Two Things

How much will you like consulting? Expose candidates to case situations and the kind of work consultants do

How much will consulting like you? Give firm a sense of how you might approach a case situation

Firms generally do not expect an extensive business background Most companies try to give cases that do not require business experience or knowledge of business jargon
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

WHAT DO COMPANIES LOOK FOR?

Not The Answer Creativity Apply a unique perspective to business situations See the big picture Poise Appear excited by the kinds of issues consultants face Are not intimidated by process or problems Assimilate information quickly and effectively Ask insightful questions Analytics Provide structure to unstructured problems Break problems into components Apply transparent, logical thinking to each component

Draw conclusions from partial information Make assumptions, see patterns, and generate hypotheses

Synthesize discussion into solution

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

HOW DO I PREPARE?
No Magical Formula

Prepare mentally
View the interview as an opportunity, not a hurdle Remember, most questions have no right answer

Practice
With classmates, friends who interviewed last year, and people at your schools career services Look on the web for firm-provided practice questions (bcg.com)

Read, read, read and think

Wall Street Journal New York Times business section

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

A FEW SUGGESTIONS

Bring notebook and pen

Jot down high level thoughts Ensure you remember good ideas

Feel free to state what seems obvious to you

Explain why a question is important to the argument Take interviewer along for the ride

Get comfortable not relying on a calculator for basic arithmetic

Treat it as a two-way learning opportunity

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt