Deloitte Consulting Case Presentation

Mastering theMastering theCase InterviewCase Interview

Jones Graduate School of Management

© Deloitte Consulting 1999. All rights reserved.

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Agenda

Why Do Firms Conduct Case Interviews?

Dissecting the Case Interview

Key Thoughts to Remember

Mock Interviews


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Why Do Firms Conduct Case Interviews?

InterviewerInterviewer CandidateCandidate

Opportunity to learn about:– Experience– “Do I want to sit with this

person on an airplane?”

Opportunity to assess:– Critical thinking skills– Communication skills– Aptitude for consulting

Opportunity to demonstrate:– Communication skills– Focus– Problem-solving skills– Analytical abilities– Poise under pressure

Opportunity to learn about:– Type of work that the firm does– Personality of the firm

Case interviews provide both parties with information:


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Keys to the Case Interview

PreparationPreparation

EnthusiasmEnthusiasm

ComfortComfort

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Demonstrate why you want the opportunity.

Show you can think under pressure.Practice, Practice, Practice.


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What is it? An opportunity to evaluate five key skills:What is it? An opportunity to evaluate five key skills:

The Case Interview

ProblemIdentification

EffectiveCommunication

LogicalProcess

DataAnalysis

Use of aFramework


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The Case Interview:Problem Identification Skills

Make sure you understand the problem clearly before starting your response

Determine and focus on the salient issues

Ask clarifying and penetrating questions

Don’t hesitate to take a few minutes (or ask) to compose your thoughts


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The Case Interview:Logical Process

Determine your structure/framework after listening to the case – one method does not fit all cases

Build a sequence to get the facts you need (consider asking for them)

or

Develop a process to get to a point from which you can work

Make sure that your case response leads to a conclusion

Demonstrating the consultative process is more important than getting the “right” answer


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The Case Interview:Data Analysis

Determine what facts you have and which ones you need

Address the issues you have identified

Perform the appropriate calculations to support your hypotheses

Consider external perspectives: customers, competitors, suppliers

Consider the implications/applications of technology


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The Case Interview:Effective Communication

Listen carefully

Speak clearly and concisely

Demonstrate the logic to your analysis

Support and defend your points

Don’t lose your cool

Ask for feedback at the end


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The Case Interview:Use of a Framework

Cost/Benefit Analysis

Supply Chain/Value Chain

Porter’s Five Forces

Financial Statements

3Cs – Customer, Company, and Competition

4Ps – Product, Price, Promotion, Place


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The Case Interview:Plan Your Response

Take notes – bring paper and pencil/pen

Communicate your approach to the interviewer

Switch approach/framework during the response if you realize its not working

Be cognizant of time

Wrap it up!– Based on the facts you have gathered, draw a conclusion that

answers the interviewer’s question– Be prepared to “wrap it up” even if you run out of time


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There are different kinds of Case Study Questions...

Calculation / Market Sizing– Ex: What is the annual market size for golf balls in the

United States?

Business Strategy / Operations Problems– Ex: A large health-care company has brought in a team

of consultants to determine an appropriate strategy for improving profitability through growth in the size of its operations. They hope to reach their profitability goals over the next three years. As one of the consultants, what would you recommend that they do?

These types of questions will be the focus of today’s mock case interviews


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Key Ideas to Remember

Ask clarifying questions/think out loud

Use a framework to organize your thoughts

Don’t forget to look at the forest while walking among the trees

Structure is more important than the answer (most of the time)

RELAX and BE YOURSELF


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Practice, Practice, Practice

Mock Case Interviews

September 22, 2000

Jones Graduate Jones Graduate School of School of

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Deloitte Consulting Case Presentation