Major Ways for Preparing for a Case Interview

How to Handle the Nervousness of First Job Interview?

Have you been told that you’ve a case interview coming up? What is a case interview, anyway? A case interview is a job interview that involves queries about how to manage specific job scenario.

During a case interview, the interviewee is given a business situation and inquired what he or she would do to handle the situation. The business scenario is commonly one that the interviewee would likely encounter while working for the company.

Although, the interviewer might also ask interview queries or ask you to solve brain teasers that do not relate straightly to the company. These kinds of queries may leave you feeling a bit flustered, so take a deep breath and think your way through them.

When Interviewers Use Case Interviews

Used most often in management consulting and investment banking interviews, case interviews permit interviewees to indicate their analytical ability and problem-solving skills. Most case interview queries don’t have one “right” answer – there may be more than one acceptable way to manage the situation.

For instance, you might be asked how to evaluate how big the market might be for a new type of tennis ball. That’s not much information so you’d need to ask questions such as who the target consumer is – professional tennis players or weekend tennis enthusiasts. Another question might be about how much the new tennis balls cost and how or where they are sold – in stores or online.

You could elaborate how you’d calculate the potential size of the market for this new tennis ball. In addition, perhaps you could offer ideas for expanding to extra consumers such as high school or college tennis players.

The case interview does not have to be verbal merely. You can draw up a few graphs, charts, or illustrations to assist get your point across to the interviewer.

Remember that answering a case interview query like this really is not about being right or wrong – the employer is more interested in how the applicant arrives at his or her solution.

As such, a case interview is back and forth dialog. The interviewee is anticipated to interact with the employer and ask clarifying questions in a logical, sequential order to solve the given problem.

Tips for Answering Case Interview Queries

Your case interview might be less stressful if you’ve an idea of what’s going to happen. Here are some tips for handling case interview questions:

  • Paraphrase the question before answering to make sure you understand the issue. If you’re not clear on the question be sure to ask for more information.
  • Most companies permit interviewees to take notes during the interview; if so, you should be prepared. Bring lined paper to the interview for notes and bring some graph paper as well, in case you need to draw any charts.
  • There is no requirement to rush. Take your time answering each query; logically think through the issue before arriving at a solution.
  • Case interviews are interactive; feel comfortable asking your interviewer clarifying questions to gain more information. In fact, your interviewer will expect you to ask questions.
  • Always explain how you arrived at a solution, even if you’re simply estimating a number. Remember that how you arrived at your answer is generally more important than the answer itself.
  • Although this is different from a traditional interview, it is not the time to act too casually. Remain as professional as you would during a regular interview. Sit up straight, speak clearly, and make eye contact with the interviewer.
  • Have fun! Employers need to see that you are enthusiastic about solving business issues. After all, these are the types of situations you will manage every day if you’re hired.

Case Interview Practice

It is very significant to practice for a case interview, specifically if this is your first one. Many universities and companies offer sample case questions on their website. Hunt for some of these case interview samples and use them to prepare yourself.

Practice answering case interview queries in front of friends, family, or a career counselor. If you are lucky, maybe you know someone who has experience with these kinds of interviews and is knowledgeable about your field. He or she might be able to help you create a mock interview.

It is also a good idea to grab a stopwatch and time yourself. Most case interviews last 15 to 30 minutes. That may seem like a long time if you’re not ready, so whether you practice with another person, or just speak out loud in front of the mirror, the more you prepare now, the more comfortable you’ll be at the real interview.

Author

Established since 2009, Jobs Section has emerged as the leading staffing solutions provider that has set a proven track record for matching the right people to the right organization within the shortest time. With our vast network of resources, extensive databases and defined recruitment processes, we have been successfully bridging talented job seekers of the highest caliber to employers who only want the best in their teams. In our relentless pursuit of excellent service, we have adopted best practices and dynamic growth strategies in expanding our operations across country.