case study interview questions

case study interview questions

How to Ace Case Study Interview Questions

1. Understanding Case Study Interviews

“Case interviews put you in the driver’s seat, challenging you to showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills.” This is the case interview definition according to the consulting firm, AT Kearney. They are right on the mark. Case study interviews are, in essence, a role play between two people where one person acts the role of the client and the other as the consultant. The case is normally a business situation or a business scenario that the interviewer needs help in solving. The case is usually a real example of a problem the interviewer’s company has faced in the past or is currently facing. The interaction will usually be a structured interview that will include a discussion of your background. It is very different from the usual free-flowing interview in which you spend most of the time discussing the company and your background. In a case interview, after a brief discussion of your background, you will then be required to answer a barrage of questions asking you for specifics in a given situation. Finally, it will conclude with a series of case questions. These case questions are most unique to case interviews and what deters most students from pursuing an internship or a full-time position at a top consulting firm. In these questions, you will be required to solve a business problem in a limited amount of time, which could be either a mathematical problem or a free-flowing question based on a marketing scenario. This sounds very intimidating and it is. However, it is important you understand that the better you perform in these questions, the higher your chances of acquiring the job. It is also important you understand that consulting firms are actually testing your ability to perform the role of a consultant. The best way to gauge how well someone can analyze a problem and provide a solution is to put them on the spot in a case format. Case interviews are actually a very fair way for firms to compare candidates’ analyzing ability because everyone will be in the same boat. This is different from the usual process of comparing grades or looking at past jobs and determining how well someone might be able to analyze a situation.

2. Preparing for Case Study Interviews

At first glance, the question of how to prepare for a case study interview seems simple. Introduce yourself is usually the first thing you say in an interview, right? Yes, it’s expected that you have mastered this simple skill. However, there are a few nuances that you should be aware of. For example, the structure of your introduction likely will follow your current employment or education situation – but don’t be afraid to mix it up. If you are currently working, your case interview introduction should be structured similar to an elevator pitch. With an air of confidence, succinctly speak to 3-5 of your top accomplishments or skills that are relevant to the position for which you are interviewing. Stress results. Practice your introduction to ensure you aren’t over or under selling yourself. If you are a student, a more informal approach might work – make sure, however, to touch on situations that you have been in that tested your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team – these are crucial talking points for a case interviewer. Coming off as personable and interesting is the goal, but make sure that you aren’t wasting too much time – keep your response under 2 minutes. A mock interview is a great way to prepare for this.

3. Approaching Case Study Interview Questions

Case study interview questions can be complex, but the way to answer is quite simple. It’s one of the few types of questions that are virtually impossible to prepare for. But like with most things in life, the right attitude and mindset can ensure a positive outcome. More so than any other type of interview, a successful approach to case study interviewing requires good planning and preparation. This begins with understanding the basic principles of the case and learning how to answer a case study. During the case interview, a problem will be presented simulating what you would encounter on the job. You are expected to analyze it, make and/or support your decision, and implement your solution. Often cases are incomplete and it is up to you to ask the right questions in order to fill in the gaps and fully understand the situation. Further, the case may involve quantitative analysis, and again you must be able to articulate your thoughts as you crunch numbers. The following section will teach you general principles to help you. Effective problem solving and decision making are at the heart of a successful case study interview. But remember, to do well you must be able to teach the interviewer how you think. This means being able to clearly show and explain your thought process as you reach a decision. Focus on developing strategic frameworks for tackling problems and making decisions. This will provide you with a clear plan to attack the problem that you can communicate to the interviewer. Frameworks and decision making tools are what will set you apart from other candidates. A BCG associate writes, “What separates a good candidate from a great candidate… is their ability to think strategically about the problems at hand.”

4. Analyzing and Solving Case Study Problems

Analyzing a case study can be a very challenging task and it is often assumed that analyzing a case study and solving a case study is the same thing, every detail of a case study. Read it thoroughly and carefully. Take notes, highlight relevant facts, underline key problem areas. In the first reading it’s better to read fast through the case and focus on the main problem. During the next reading you should read through the case in detail and underline the main problems. Pay attention to cause and effect. For example in a marketing case study, it could be that the problem is not generating enough traffic to a website. In that case there is usually a root cause which when solved solves the current problem. Plotting on paper in graphical form a cause and effect loop will help clarify the problems and aid in the development of a solution. This is a vital step that many students miss and it costs them a lot in terms of marks. Always remember that case studies are often about problems that may occur in the future so it is essential that any further problems with be with prevention. After noting the main problems it’s often useful to review any notes that you have on the case. This should allow for further problems to become apparent from the information gathered in previous notes. Always be sure to distinguish problems from symptoms. Symptoms are merely the effect and symptoms of the root problem and often studying the symptoms can lead to a mistaken diagnosis of what the actual problem is.

5. Presenting Your Findings and Recommendations

Estimation questions are about reasonable approximations of quantities that are difficult to calculate accurately. There can often be more than one good answer, and the interviewee is generally not expected to come up with the “right” answer, but to demonstrate logical thought process. Example: “How many ping-pong balls can you fit into a 747 airplane?” Example: “We believe that there are approximately 8000 new cases of spinal cord injury in the United States each year. What is the annual cost to the US of caring for these patients?”

Business benefit questions require you to identify the positive or negative impacts a given decision has on an organization’s business objectives. Example: “Our company is considering offering our employees performance-based stock options. What would be the best way to determine the business effectiveness of this decision?”

Logic problems ask you to think on your feet and are often used to assess your ability to think critically. Example: “Apple is rolling out a new product at an attractive price point but is experiencing lagging sales. What are the primary issues and what would you do to increase sales?”

Types of Case Study Questions: