Transcript CASE INTERVIEW WORKSHOP The Boston Consulting Group AGENDA Some questions you might have: • What are case interviews? • Why are they given? • What.

CASE INTERVIEW WORKSHOP
The Boston Consulting Group
AGENDA
Some questions you might have:
• What are case interviews?
• Why are they given?
• What do companies look for?
How do I prepare for these things?
Examples: Real case interviews
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt
WHAT ARE CASE INTERVIEWS?
Two Main Types
Brain teaser (unusual at BCG)
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How many pencils are sold annually in the United
States?
How many dogs are there in California?
What are the chances of rolling double sixes three
times in a row?
Business problem (BCG norm)
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•
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt
A pharmaceutical company is trying to decide
whether to manufacture its drugs in house or
outsource; how would you help?
The company that owns Vail mountain has seen a
decline in revenues over the past five years; what
should it think about?
WHY ARE CASE INTERVIEWS GIVEN?
To Test Two Things
How much will you like
consulting?
Expose candidates to case
situations and the kind of work
consultants do
How much will consulting like
you?
Give firm a sense of how you
might approach a case
situation
Firms generally do not expect an extensive business background
• Most companies try to give cases that do not require business
experience or knowledge of business jargon
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt
WHAT DO COMPANIES LOOK FOR?
Not “The Answer”
Creativity
Poise
Analytics
Apply a unique
perspective to
business situations
Appear excited by the
kinds of issues
consultants face
Provide structure to
unstructured
problems
See the big picture
Are not intimidated by
process or problems
Break problems into
components
Assimilate information
quickly and effectively
Apply transparent,
logical thinking to
each component
Draw conclusions
from partial
information
• Make assumptions,
see patterns, and
generate
hypotheses
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt
Ask insightful
questions
Synthesize
discussion into
solution
HOW DO I PREPARE?
No Magical Formula
Prepare mentally
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View the interview as an opportunity, not a hurdle
Remember, most questions have no “right answer”
Practice
•
•
With classmates, friends who interviewed last year, and
people at your school’s career services
Look on the web for firm-provided practice questions
(bcg.com)
Read, read, read… and think
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•
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt
Wall Street Journal
New York Times business section
A FEW SUGGESTIONS
Bring notebook and pen
• Jot down high level thoughts
• Ensure you remember good ideas
Feel free to state what seems obvious to you
• Explain why a question is important to the argument
• Take interviewer along for the ride
Get comfortable not relying on a calculator for basic arithmetic
Treat it as a two-way learning opportunity
Case Interview Workshop2005 (3).ppt