What do you do if your case interview is not going as planned?

Accepting the mistake is the first step. Even the interviewers too understand this. In fact, someone might hire you for your honesty.

"If your case interview isn't going as planned, it's time to 'case the joint' for some quick thinking and a splash of humor! Don't panic; instead, 'consult' your inner wit, 'analyze' the situation with a grin, and 'solve' the problem like the pun-slinging pro you are. Remember, even in the toughest cases, a clever quip can be the key to unlocking success!" ???? #CaseCrackingComedy

Acknowledging is not an emotional embarrassment but its an opportunity to correct your understanding and graduate. Offcourse, nobody errs intentionally. The only logical next step is to ask for more clarifications. This way you will understand and learn the art of how to deal with tight situations. Ack -> Learn

If you encounter uncertainties or misunderstandings, don't hesitate to seek clarification from the interviewer. Asking insightful questions shows your analytical thinking and can provide valuable information to move the case forward.

It is crucial to understand the problem right. Otherwise, it is impossible to find the right solution. Taking time to fully understand the question or problem is the right thing to do. Starting to solve the problem only with a cursory view of the problem is a bad idea as this way, there can be assumptions and oversights. This can lead to wrong solutions when unnoticed. It will involve redoing the solution if some oversight or wrong assumption is discovered while solving it. Even if the correct solution can be found on time after the initial wandering, it may still create a wrong impression of the interviewee in the interviewer's mind. The interviewee may look like someone not paying attention to details.

Straight forward ask for clarifications can be perceived as unpreparedness or lack of critical thinking. Such situations should be dealt tactfully. One can always state that 'If I understand the situation correctly is this what you are asking for' or you can state that 'From the situation this is the objective that we are trying to achieve'. Handle the situation cleverly. The interviewer will obviously realign you on the topic if you are on a tangent. And you will understand the topic more better Ack -> Learn -> Realign

Unlike some multiple-choice questions in exams, the interview is not just for seeing the candidate’s answer to a given question. It is for observing the candidate’s problem-solving skills, the approach to addressing a problem, and the structured and logical way of thinking essential for solving the problem efficiently. Often the interviewee gets credit for showing the right way of approaching a problem, logical and structured thinking even when they could not arrive at the correct final answer to a given problem.

Strategies are mostly based on theories, experience or maybe processes. A quick way to is to measure the results of your methodologies. If the percentage of objective is not being achieved, one should quickly realign the strategy stating that depending on various factors a lot more can be achieved. Suggest options to the interviewer based on these factors. Ack -> Learn -> Realign

Do a step back and use the helicopter view. Look at the situation with a different perspective, connect the dots through a systemic approach. Ask for external feedback to understand the impact so far. Realign the goal and focus on th “what better if…”. Putting ourselves under discussion fostering a continuous learning approach helps people avoid to get stuck and to change what is needed to be outstanding performers.

Feeling stuck in your case interview? Don't fret! Here are some actionable steps: 1. ??♂? Take a deep breath: Calm your nerves and regain focus. 2. ?? Break it down: Identify key issues and structure your approach. 3. ?? Ask for clarification: Don't hesitate to seek clarity on the case. 4. ?? Time check: Manage your time wisely to ensure progress. 5. ?? Think aloud: Share your thought process to showcase problem-solving skills. 6. ?? Pivot if needed: Be flexible and adapt your strategy if things aren't working. 7. ??♂? Seek guidance: Reach out to mentors or peers for advice or practice. Remember, it's about your approach and resilience! #CaseInterviewTips #StayCalm