subject: Become An Expert In Case Interview [print this page] Individuals hoping to land a position with the top management companies in the USA, such as Roland Berger, A. T. Kearney, L. E. K consulting, Mercer, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bain, Boston Consulting or Mckinsey and many others will want to be sure they are ready for one of the most popular of interviewing techniques being used today. This technique is often used in rounds and called the case interview. The successful candidate is the one who masters the technique.
This style of selecting new employees is used by firms that offer management consulting in the process of recruiting their new employees. The question asked is generally an estimating exercise or other problem that was designed for the purpose of seeing if someone can think on their feet. These type firms are looking for persons that are able to perform basic calculations while also structuring an appropriate answer.
The objective of the exercise is not so much focused on a right answer as demonstrating one's ability to solve even complex problems while thinking on one's toes. In the process the candidates becomes a colleague with the interviewer to show how well he or she can work with a team. Interaction is expected, in which the candidate both asks and answers questions while seeking clarification and exchanging information with the interviewer.
Candidates can expect to be provided with a white board or pen and paper. These materials are used for note taking, calculations, brainstorming and to structure an answer. Since much information is provided, take notes to keep track of what is said. Use questions for clarifications to be sure that you are continuing down the right path before actually launching into the case. The interview like to see you ask questions so they know your thinking style and thought process. The purpose of the interviewer is to watch as well as answer questions. The interviewer can also provide additional information as needed.
Most firms are using from one to three different interviewers in the same day. The time scheduled for each problem may be from one half to one hour. The time spent on each of the questions could be twenty to forty minutes according the difficulty as well as the interview round.
While the case interview may make the candidate nervous, tense or anxious, part of the process is to see if the candidate can relax and have fun under the pressure.
