Ace the Case

APDCC Case Interview WorkshopAndy Luo

Agenda

• What is a case? ~ 10 min–Management consulting recruiting

process– Case interview introduction

• How to crack the case interview? ~ 30 min–Why cases?– Skillsets for case interviews– Resources and tips

• Live demo ~ 15 min

Case interview is a critical part of management consulting recruiting

Typical McKinsey recruiting process• Resume screening• Problem solving test (PST)

– Written format

• 2nd round interview– Two interviews with associates/managers– 30 min behavior + 30 min case

• Final round interview– Three interviews with partners– 30 min behavior + 30 min case

Case interviews evaluate your ability to solve real-life business problems in a team

environment

• You are given– A particular business problem

• You will have– 30 min– Pen and paper– The interviewer’s help (data, clarification, guidance)

• You are expected to– Solve the problem in a logical manner– Communicate your reasoning effectively– Give a “sound” recommendation– Make the interviewer like you!

The cases are highly ambiguous with no absolute “right or wrong” answers

• Questions I’ve been asked– A global mining firm accidentally discovered an

enzyme that could make medicines 100 times more purer than the present version. What to do with it?

– A 100-year family business specializing in publishing travel guides received a take-over offer of $ 10 M from a major travel agency. Should they take it?

– Help Gates Foundation evaluate a collaborative opportunity with Mexico government

– How to bring back the blue sky of Beijing?– What are the three major challenges confronting

chemistry in the next 100 years?

Case interviews tell the interviewers whether you will be a qualified future team

member/colleague

• Tangible qualities– Consistent habit of logical thinking– Results-driven– Number crunching skills– Business acumen and creativity

• Intangible qualities– Effective communication– Maturity and confidence– An interesting human being – the airport test

Always being structured and logical is the most important quality of a management

consultant• Frameworks - MECE

– Profit of a DVD-renting business declined 30% in the past three month

Profit = Revenue – Cost = price x quantity – (fixed cost + variable cost)

– How to improve the number of organs donated in Minnesota?# Organs = #population x % mortality x % awareness x % signing x # organ/donor

– How to increase US Bank’s revenue in the student segment?Revenue = #students x % awareness x % conversion x # accounts x spending/account

– Casebook frameworks

• Hypothesis-driven• Prioritize!• Take good notes• How to practice

“Open math” evaluates your skills with numbers facing high-level executives in a

business environment

• Never confuse your client (interviewer)• Communicate proactively– State your plan BEFORE you do the math– Verify your results

• Avoid obsession with absolute “accuracy”• You only have ONE chance to be wrong• Go beyond numbers – so what?• How to practice

The ultimate goal of consulting is NOT to deliver the results, but to convince your

client

• Learn to articulate your reasoning in a structured and concise manner

• The Pyramid Principle– Result/conclusion first– Label your reasons– Always remember to close the sales

• How to practice

Tips for APDs

• Improve your business acumen• Plan early, but DO NOT over-

practice• Be likable• Bring the whole package• The REALLY difficult part is getting

the interview!

Useful Resources

• Books– The Pyramid Principle– The McKinsey Way / Mind– Case in Point (or many similar)– Casebooks (by many B-schools)

• Websites/Blogs/Videos– Victor Cheng’s www.caseinterview.com

Questions?

Live Demo

Apple’s introduction of iWatch