What You Need to Know About Consulting Case Interviews

The consulting industry has one very distinct part of its hiring process: case interviews. Firms use case interviews to get a better understanding of how you would approach a real client’s case. These interviews can be daunting, so here is everything you need to know about them beforehand.

The Purpose of Case Interviews

You’re probably used to behavioral interviews and technical interviews, but case interviews are entirely different. Instead of discussing how you’ve handled situations in the past or testing your technical knowledge, case interviews allow for interviewers to see your problem-solving skills in action. 

Case interviews showcase your ability to articulate complex topics, problem-solve on your feet, and ask smart questions in the moment. This is a test of how ready you are to face clients since they simulate what consulting is really like. 

What to Expect 

Case interviews typically last for 30 to 45 minutes, and the most common types are profitability analysis, market entry, market sizing, M&A analysis, and operations/pricing. 

The case will start with a prompt that states the case or problem you will be looking to solve. You will then have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand the case correctly and know how to move forward. Next, you will want to take the case and organize it into a framework you are familiar with. Once you’ve created the framework, you will present your work to your interviewers. The next phase is data analytics, and this is where you will dig into the actual data, talking about your work as you do it. After that, your interviewer will likely throw in some sort of twist to the case in order to test your adaptability. Finally, you will present your final recommendation in a concise, high-level summary.

This structure may vary depending on if the interview is candidate-led or interviewer-led. Different firms prefer different approaches. During candidate-led cases, you will be fully in charge. You will drive the interview by exploring your hypotheses and asking for the data you need. On the other hand, interviewer-led cases will be driven in part by the interviewer. You will be asked questions about your framework and asked to look at specific data. The structure of the interview is largely the same, but one requires more independence than the other. 

How to Prepare 

Case interviews require knowledge of frameworks that you can apply to different scenarios. As you study, become familiar with various frameworks that can be applied to a multitude of situations you may encounter during the interview. An important thing to remember is that you don’t want to follow the frameworks to the letter. Use them as a starting point, but during the interview, adapt the structures to the specific situation. 

This interview also relies heavily on your verbal communication skills. You will be expected to explain your work verbally and discuss your thought process with the interviewer. When practicing for case interviews, don’t just practice in your head or by writing things down. Practice talking through the case verbally with a friend or family member. Mastering verbal communication skills will ensure you properly explain what you’re thinking. 

The data analytics portion of the case will also require mental math. You may have a sheet to write stuff down on, but you will largely need to process charts and numbers in your head. Hone these skills in your preparation so you aren’t stuck on the quantitative aspects of the case. 

Mastering these skills and preparing in advance will greatly help your chances of completing the case interview successfully.