What is a Case Study Interview and How to Ace One

Companies use case study interviews to determine potential candidates' creative and problem-solving abilities. They involve analyzing business cases, brainteasers and quantifying information. The best way to prepare for a case interview is to study examples and practice interviewing with friends or family. In this story, we will help familiarize readers with the basic types of case interviews and provide tips to ace them.

For consultants and account managers, the case study interview is a vital part of the interview process for new jobs and promotions. This interview allows the company and hiring manager to glean insights into a candidate’s approach to problem-solving.?

Because many companies root these questions in real-life challenges, they can also help the candidate better understand the role they are applying for and how the company serves its clients.

For many new graduates and workers transitioning to a new career in professional services, a case study interview might feel overwhelming. But it does not have to feel that way. With the right mindset and preparation, anyone can ace a case study interview and wow the team.?

In this story, we will learn the basics of preparing for this type of interview and how they might work in practice.

What Is a Case Study Interview?

In a case study interview, the hiring manager or committee gives the applicant a real-world client situation to analyze and solve. Unlike many job interview questions that focus on a candidate’s past experiences, this one asks how they would approach a hypothetical scenario. Most of these scenarios do not have specific “right” answers. Instead, they want the candidate to demonstrate the ability to analyze a situation and be creative.

“Situational questions are a great opportunity to give job seekers an open-ended question and they can take it anywhere they'd like,” career management coach Teegan Bartos told LinkedInNews.

Case interviews may vary in their specifics, but consulting firms like Bain & Company seek to evaluate the following information:

• Communication skills
• Analytical and creative thinking
• The ability to use data to quantify and make recommendations
• A candidate’s problem-solving approach
• How candidates would suggest implementing proposals

Case Interview Example Questions and Answers

Case interview questions can vary in complexity. Some interviewers gear their questions toward probing the candidate to ask more questions. Others want them to analyze and determine the value of a company. Some example interview questions can include:

• What is the market capitalization of a specific company today?
• How many automobiles does Ford sell in a specific state?
• Why are the covers of maintenance holes round?
• How many grocery stores are there in the United States?
• A company that produces flavors of chewing gum finds that it operates at a loss despite high revenues. What are the possible reasons for this?

While some of these questions may have specific answers, the answers themselves are not that important. Remember: case study interview questions showcase a candidate’s ability to find answers (or possible answers) to questions versus the actual correct answers if they exist.

Case Interview Formats

Case questions tend to follow three distinct formats. They are:

• Business case: This scenario gauges the general business knowledge of a candidate while asking them to logically apply it to different business areas. This could include things like profits and losses, organizational structure or marketing issues.
• Market-sizing and “guesstimates”: In these questions, a candidate uses logical deduction and statistics to estimate the size of a group or other amounts.
• Brainteasers: These case questions are puzzles or logic questions. Companies ask these questions to study creativity, quantitative skills or problem-solving behaviors.

Case interviews differ depending on the format the organization uses. In a candidate-led format, the candidate drives the discussion process. Interviewers expect the candidate to “lead” the case by asking relevant questions to gain more information.?

Interviewer-led case interviews occur when the organization (like McKinsey) dictates the pace and process of solving the problem. These tests often involve a highly specific case question and lots of data. The interviewer may ask questions for further details. Interviewers guide the candidate through the process.

How to Prepare for a Case Study Interview

1. Research the Question (If Applicable)

If a candidate can obtain the question ahead of time, they can formulate an answer and start preparing any necessary materials like slide decks or one-sheets. Most of the time, a case interview happens without this preparation. That is part of the “sink or swim” mentality that drives these tests.

2. Become Familiar with the Frameworks

Most case study interviews follow a similar framework. This often works in the candidate’s favor because they can become familiar with the cadence and feel of a case interview before walking in the door.

Case study interviews typically present a candidate with a brief and materials to review before asking them to provide a solution. But some case interviews may require other elements, including slide decks, to summarize information — much like an actual client presentation. Before the meeting, research the company and its interview process to prepare for several potential scenarios.

3. Practice Interviewing

Approach the case study interview like the SAT: take “practice tests” in the form of case study scenarios. Find a colleague or friend to help develop hypothetical scenarios and then use that analytic mind and creativity to solve them. For an even more eye-opening experience, record yourself giving responses to understand your body language and speaking skills better.

“People skimp on interview prep, which is such a missed opportunity,” Bartos said. “If you get the interview and you're really excited about the position, you want to get the position, not be wondering why you got an automated rejection email.”

Many consulting firms offer previous case studies to show their effectiveness, but these can benefit an interviewing candidate.

4. Come Prepared

It takes more than a passing familiarity with case interviews to succeed. Knowing the company’s practices and preferred industries can help keep from catching the candidate off guard. To best prepare for a case interview, research some of the most common terms and concepts in management and consulting businesses.?

5. Ask Questions

One of the best ways to ace a case interview is to ask as many clarifying and focused questions as possible. By asking questions, the interviewee can glean the essential details of the scenario and better solve the problem. Also, bring paper and pens to the interview for note taking, especially regarding any numbers or sales figures.

If anything remains unclear, paraphrasing the scenario to the interviewer(s) can ensure the candidate has heard the problem correctly and clear up any misconceptions.

6. Show Confidence

Do not immediately rush into the answer. Instead, take time to pause and reflect on the problem at hand. Silence can be valuable in this instance since it shows careful consideration.?

In some cases, it can be helpful to vocalize the thought process. Thinking aloud like this can allow the interviewer to pick up on analytical skills, so long as the candidate articulates them well. Once a candidate has laid out the road map for their plan, they can confidently speak to their proposed solutions.

7. Expect Follow-Up Questions

Even if a candidate knocks it out of the park with their proposed solution, the interviewer will likely have some follow-up questions about:

• Thought process
• Contingencies
• How the candidate approached the problem
• Previous experience with similar scenarios

Candidates should look at these probing questions to reflect on their problem-solving skills. If they do receive a job offer, it can help inform their work down the road. If the company declines to extend a request, the questions allow the candidate to refine their approach to case studies for the following interview.

Final Tips for a Successful Case Interview

The critical thing to remember about a case interview is that it is not meant to stump or frustrate the candidate. They reflect real challenges that businesses and organizations face every day and encourage creative answers.

Preparing for a case interview can feel daunting, but the more time a person puts in before the meeting, the better results they should see. Confidence in their problem-solving abilities and probing questions go a long way. Each interview is an opportunity to grow and practice those skills; even if the interview does not result in a job offer, it can still be a rewarding experience.

Top Takeaways

What is a Case Study Interview and How to Ace One

• Consulting companies use case interviews to evaluate problem-solving skills among candidates.
• A case interview usually involves a real-life scenario or challenge for the candidate to solve.
• Asking clarifying questions and using available information is key to a successful case interview.
• Even if they do not receive the job offer, candidates should look at case interviews to improve their problem-solving skills.

(Reporting by NPD and Lora Korpar)