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How to pass a management consulting case interview (guest post from @ConsultingFact)

by | Jun 19, 2013 | career, case interview resources, consulting, management consulting, recruiting | 0 comments

Over the years, I’ve had MANY people reach out to me for advice on how to make it through the interview process at management consulting firms [In fact, I used to have a side hustle providing services to folks to help them do just that]. It definitely isn’t an easy thing to do and, unless someone guides you through how to best approach it, the prospect of going through the interviews can be incredibly daunting. I’ve been wanting to write something about how to make it through the management consulting case interview process, but, with my schedule, I just haven’t had time to do so. Thankfully, I have a pretty good network of knowledgeable folks and I was able to tap into it to get something on this topic.

In the article below, Daniel Stefanac, the founder of ConsultingFact.com, gives some background on case interviews, which are the most important part of the management consulting interview process. While the fit portion of the interview is important, the case part is the “make or break” part of the overall interview. Poor execution on the case is an indicator that one’s problem solving skills may not be up to the standards that a given consulting firm is seeking, which is a death-blow in an industry where problem solving is exactly what the clients are paying for.

While Daniel’s article doesn’t go into the excruciating level of detail that a consulting case prep guide like < a href="http://www.amazon.com/Case-Point-Complete-Interview-Preparation/dp/0971015805" target="_blank">“Case in Point” by Marc Consentino would, he gives a good overview of what one should be thinking about at a high-level while prepping to tackle case interviews at a management consulting firm.

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How to Pass a Management Consulting Case Interview
By: Daniel Stefanac, Founder of ConsultingFact.com

Management consulting firms use case interviews to measure your capability to perform the responsibilities of a professional consultant. Interviewers present a business scenario, and you are expected to analyze and resolve it in a short period of time, usually within 30 minutes. Most of the cases presented have been worked on by firm consultants.

If you are preparing for an interview with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or other top tier consulting firm, continue reading for tips and strategies that will help you ace your case interview.

Why are Case Interviews Used?
Case interviews have been used for decades because they indicate whether you possess the capabilities required for a management consulting position:

  • Analytical Skills: Can you break down the problem and identify the main factors for evaluation and analysis?

  • Problem-Solving Skills: Can you infer sound conclusions and generate practical and actionable recommendations for the client?

  • Communication Skills: Can you express your ideas in a clear, confident, and comprehensive manner?

  • Stress Management Skills: Can you keep calm and collected under pressure? Management consultants work in a fast-paced, mentally-stimulating work environment and must possess excellent stress management skills.

During the interview, interviewers listen to your answers, but most importantly, they observe your thought processes. There is no single correct answer to the case question. As long as you derive your conclusions logically, you are on the right track to cracking the case.

Case Familiarization
The best preparatory step for acing a management consulting case interview is practice. Study various cases and learn how to resolve them logically. Explore situations which involve marketing, pricing, product development, strategy, competition, and other business aspects. You  never know what type of problem you will be presented with, so it’s wise to prepare for a variety of cases.

You can begin practicing by accessing the sample cases top-tier firms provide on their websites. If you’re a student, visit your career center or consulting club for additional materials. You can also explore career websites for tidbits of wisdom on how to ace this interview.

Consulting Frameworks
The time constraints can cause you to panic. The case may be ambiguous; you may be confused with where to start your analysis. For this reason, it’s helpful to learn frameworks that can help you solve the cases. They will serve as your step-by-step guide to approaching a problem from various perspectives.

Top-tier consulting firms and well-known consultants have popularized a few frameworks you can use during the interview. For instance, you can utilize Michael Porter’s Five Forces Analysis in determining the attractiveness of a market. BCG’s DICE (Duration, Integrity, Commitment, and Effort) Framework may be used for assessing the possible success of a project. As you practice, identify the most applicable framework for every case. If you can’t find one, create your own. Again, as long as your process is logical, you should be able to resolve the problem.

Remember: Never try to force a framework into a case problem. The interviewer will spot this immediately!

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Visit ConsultingFact.com
For additional techniques on how to pass a case interview, visit ConsultingFact.com, a reliable resource of management consulting career advice and actionable guides. It is also credited for its Consulting Job Academy, an online course that discusses practical sample cases and frameworks.