March 19, 2018
A case interview is a type of job interview where the candidate is presented with a complex business scenario to analyse and solve.
A case interview aims to test the candidate's ability to think critically and logically and provide a glimpse into how they would approach and handle real-world business challenges.
Case Interviews are most common in consulting firms. You will interact with an interviewer to analyse and solve case studies of business problems.
This will often be a problem they have experienced or even a problem they are working on at that moment. You may be asked to figure out market size or profitability or recommend action plans to solve low profitability.
They may last anywhere from 30-60 minutes. You may partake in one case interview or a few. You may be on your own or in a group interview. All of this will depend on the type of position you are applying for.
After you have been given information about a case, you will be expected to ask logical questions that help you further understand the case.
The information you receive will, on purpose, be generally ambiguous. You will need to probe insightfully into relevant areas, gather information, and arrive at a solution or recommendation.
You will be evaluated on your communication and presentation skills, business and commercial awareness, and analytical thinking. The most important item looked at is not the answer you give, but rather the thinking you used to arrive at the answer.
Any recruiter or hiring manager conducting case interviews will try push you to your limits by presenting you with unconventional situations, forcing you to think on your feet. How you perform and present yourself under pressure will be analysed.
They may last anywhere from 30-60 minutes. You may partake in one case interview or a few.
You may be on your own or in a group interview. All of this will depend on the type of position you are applying for.
You need to invest a lot of time into preparation for case interviews – they are not easy. You will need to practise market sizing and mental math.
It is not uncommon for candidates to practise 40 hours a week for 6 weeks prior to interviewing. You know yourself better than anyone else, put in the time you know you need to be prepared.
You never know what questions you will be asked during case interviews. But you can get prepared and hone your skills.
Start by reading as many business cases as possible. The more familiar you are with various case frameworks, the less risk of being surprised with a question that stumps you.
Spend time on mock case interviews. Work with friends, coworkers, or even a professional coach if you are looking for truly realistic practise as well as feedback. Search the top consulting firms for guidance on how they structure their own case interviews.
Try looking at examples from consulting firms:
Should your new role require you to work closely in a team environment, there is a high likelihood that you will be taking part in a group case interview.
You will be placed in a group with several others and given briefing materials on a business problem. You will be asked to discuss and agree on a solution or course of action. The interviewers will be silent observers around the exterior of the room.
In this situation, your analytical thinking will be just as important as your communication and interactions with the rest of your group. Any candidates completely dominating the conversation, or bullying the group towards a solution, are likely to be “red-flagged” by the interviewers.
While this is true, it will be important for you to share your analysis and data with the rest of the team. Don’t let the concern of being “red-flagged” stop you from being an active participant in the discussion.
The process for case interviews is a difficult one. What you learn through the cases you solve will assist you in your career as you encounter “real-life” situation. You will be surprised what you can learn. It will give also give you a chance to see how your mind works when you have to think on your feet.
As we recruit for technical positions, we understand that a “one size fits all” interview mentality is unrealistic. When hiring for consulting positions, case interviews can ensure a proper placement.
Be it telephone interviews, video interviews, panel interviews, behavioural interviews, or case interviews – we have you covered!
This post was written by: JC Cornell, Renewables and Growth Marketing Manager
What is permanent recruitment?
What is a whiteboard interview? A comprehensive guide
Beyond the resume: The hidden potential of passive candidates
Professional search: how businesses find top talent
What is quiet quitting? How to spot and prevent it in the workplace
What is an employee value proposition and why it’s important for employee engagement
What is culture fit? A concise introduction.
What is a structured interview? A concise guide.
What is blind screening? A concise guide to it's role in recruitment and selection.
Active candidates: Here's everything you need to know