Case Interview Help

The case interview is simply a business situation in which you are expected to “solve the case” in a logical, strategic, and thoughtful manner. Case interviews provide the interviewer with important insights about the candidate’s approach to problem solving, creativity, thoroughness, analytical capabilities, and ability to think and communicate under pressure.

Case questions are often quite challenging, and if unprepared or unpracticed, a candidate is likely to be caught off-guard. Often, candidates will do well if they demonstrate a strong analysis of the situation presented, independent of whether they finish in the allotted time.

The purpose of this section is to help you understand what to expect during this interview. You may also follow this link to access some practice cases.

Guidelines:

• Cases are typically word problems that ask how you would address a specific business situation — often one involving issues of strategy, marketing, product, distribution, pricing and/or cost
• The time allotted for these interviews is often too short — most will not get to the end of the case given the complexity of some of the problems
• Our case questions are synthesized and simplified into typical business situations to which you are likely to relate intuitively
• While there is generally no single right answer, there are better and worse solutions. The interviewer is considering specific criteria:
• Understanding of the problem
• A framework for analysis
• Formulation of hypotheses
• Understanding of analytical techniques
• Familiarity with basic business and economic concepts
• Facility with numbers and complex concepts
• Creativity, coupled with the ability to form compelling evidence
• The ability to draw conclusions
• Don’t waste your time probing for hidden information. The cases are designed to simulate real-life issues with which we have had to deal, and the absence of information is a reality in our business
• Time efficiency is clearly important, given the limited duration of an interview. However, rushing to an answer before you’ve thought the problem through will likely waste more time than taking a more measured approach. Take a moment to size up the situation. Consider: What information was I given? What am I solving for? What approach am I going to use?
• Walk your interviewer through your process as you solve the case. He or she needs to understand how you approach and solve a problem. Avoid taking a random walk through the realm of chaotic synapse firings

Finally, engage the interviewer. These cases serve both to showcase your abilities as well as to test compatibility (Would your interviewer want to work with you on a team?) Make your interview memorable (in a positive way!)