1 JOBTALKS Case Interviews Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall Powell, Ph.D Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author.

2 Practicing Case Interviews Undergraduate Management Consulting Association Indiana University Kelley School of Business

3 Agenda Demystify the case interview Identify evaluation criteria Discuss preparation strategies Provide overview of an interview Demonstrate an interview Small group exercises

4 Demystifying the Case Interview What is a case interview? –Definition: A scenario-based problem solving activity Are there different types of case interviews? –Resume based cases –Brain teasers or puzzles –“Typical” consulting project or project on which the consultant is currently working

5 Examples of “Typical” Cases Profitability case: –You are the consultant to a company that produces large household appliances. Over the past 3 years, profit margins have fallen 20% and market share has tumbled to 15% of the market from 25%. What is the source of the company’s problems? Market entry: –A multi-billion dollar consumer brand product manufacturer is considering introducing their flagship brand into Asia. What would you advise?

6 Why are case interviews used? Gives firms a sense of how you might approach a real consulting case or project Enables firms to assess candidate along multiple dimensions –A rich selection tool Many companies and industries are moving toward more case interviews –Marketing, I-Banking, Microsoft

7 What will they be evaluating? Logical/analytical thought process Business insight/judgment Quantitative skills Creativity/inquisitiveness Decision making ability Communication skills Response to pressure/lack of information Interpersonal skills

8 Case Interview Resources Case interview books –CASE IN POINT, Marc P. Cosentino –The Fast Track, Miriam Naficy Vault Guide to the Case Interview or Wetfeet Ace your Case – Free on UCSO website Consulting firm websites Other students One-on-one sessions with a coach, contingent upon securing a case interview

9 Develop a preparation strategy Look at online sources Be proactive about practicing with other students Walk through questions on your own (using the worksheet provided) Set a target of practicing interviews before you have a “real” one!

10 Typical interview flow Listen as interviewer gives question/case Restate/clarify case issues briefly Take a minute or two to structure/generate hypothesis Communicate overview of your road map to the interviewer Proceed with your questions/analysis and be the tour guide along the way Take a minute to gather thoughts if necessary (but be careful with this as not all firms dig it) State your recommendation and support it

11 Frameworks structure your analysis It depends on the question which framework to use. For example: –Attractiveness of an industry – Porter’s 5 Forces –Evaluate a market – Four Ps –Analyze new product introduction or industry analysis – Four Cs Use the framework as a way to structure your thoughts.

12 Focus on demonstrating two key elements Analytical horsepower –Be a problem solver –Be structured –Be transparent Communication and interpersonal skills –Connect with the interviewer –Show poise, maturity, confidence

13 A few do’s and don’ts Do…. –Listen carefully –Be structured –Ask questions –Think out loud –Reach “closure” –Connect with interviewer Don’t…. –Race through the case –Force-fit frameworks –Get stuck in analysis paralysis –Offend the interviewer

14 The key to success Practice, practice, practice And when you think you have practiced enough, practice even more! Hopefully you can get to the point where these are actually second nature and FUN!

15 If you would like to learn more, Career Planning Strategies textbook will supply additional information on this topic.