1. CASE INTERVIEWS Sarah Anter Patricia Reed Amber Griffin
Rachel Carlstead
Lauren Huggins

2. Case Interviews
An interview geared around solving problems on the spot
Most commonly used for technical and consulting firms
Very recent in use but being used increasingly

3. Types of Case Interviews
4 Main Types of Cases used
Project
Business World
Market Sizing
Brainteasers and puzzles

4. Types of Case Interviews
Project
Interviewer describes a “typical” project to the candidate, then engages them in give-and-take to reach solution
Business World
Interviewer asks candidate to analyze recent news or issues in the business world

5. Types of Case Interviews Con’t.
Market Sizing
Short to moderate in length and usually relates to unfamiliar industry
Rests on reasonable assumptions
Brainteasers and Puzzles
Interviewer asks candidate to solve brainteaser, puzzle, or riddle
Simple reason test

6. Examples- Brainteasers
You are in a room with three light switches, each of which controls one of three light bulbs in the next room. Your task is to determine which switch controls which bulb. All lights are off. Your constraints are: you may flick only two switches and you may enter the room with the light bulbs only once. How would you set about determining which switch controls which bulb?

7. Pros and Cons of Case Interviews
eliminates biases (contrast effect, first impressions, etc)
demonstrates ability to think on the spot
demonstrates ability to deal with stress in unfamiliar situations
those who are successful in case interviews are usually the “best of the best”
Cons
interviewees can get questions from variety of sources prior to interview
development of case questions can be time-consuming which can lead to hiring delays
all questions are usually targeted to sills and traits that make up 75% of every job
some questions are “recycled” with little/no modification

8. What are employers looking for?
Testing an applicant’s ability to identify issues and make use of knowledge and experience, along with listening skills, presentation and communication skills, and personal style and qualities.

9. What are employers looking for? Con’t.
Interviewer is trying to judge:
logical thought process
general business knowledge
general knowledge
comfort with quantitative analysis
creativity
communication skills

10. Acing the Case Interview
Keep mental discipline
Take your time
Demonstrate your process (think out loud)
Make interview a dialogue (ask questions)
Be confident in your answer (don’t be wishy washy)

11. Examples of Case Interviews