CASE INTERVIEW WORKSHOPCASE INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

The Boston Consulting GroupThe Boston Consulting Group

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

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

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

• 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?

• 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?

Brain teaser (unusual at BCG)Brain teaser (unusual at BCG)

Business problem (BCG norm)Business problem (BCG norm)

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

WHY ARE CASE INTERVIEWS GIVEN?To Test Two Things

How much will you like How much will you like consulting?consulting?

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

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

How much will consulting like How much will consulting like you?you?

Expose candidates to case situations and the kind of work consultants do

Give firm a sense of how you might approach a case situation

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

WHAT DO COMPANIES LOOK FOR?Not “The Answer”

CreativityCreativity

Apply a unique perspective to business situations

See the big picture

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

PoisePoise

Appear excited by the kinds of issues consultants face

Are not intimidated by process or problems

Assimilate information quickly and effectively

Ask insightful questions

AnalyticsAnalytics

Provide structure to unstructured problems

Break problems into components

Apply transparent, logical thinking to each component

Synthesize discussion into solution

Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt

HOW DO I PREPARE?No Magical Formula

• View the interview as an opportunity, not a hurdle• Remember, most questions have no “right answer”

• With classmates, friends who interviewed last year, and people at your school’s career services

• Look on the web for firm-provided practice questions (bcg.com)

• Wall Street Journal• New York Times business section

Prepare mentallyPrepare mentally

PracticePractice

Read, read, read… and thinkRead, read, read… and think

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

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