Excel in Case Interviews Delivering Cases to Practice

Excel in Case Interviews Delivering Cases to Practice Interview Preparation 2018 1

Importance of Case Delivery Thinking and research prior to delivery Strong case practice for your partner Practicing simultaneously as your partner is. 2

Case Practice: Case Delivery The most effective case practice includes a strong partner You learn as much about cases in delivering as solving Delivering strong cases happens in three phases: Thorough Preparation Engaged Delivery Detailed Feedback 3

Case Delivery Thorough Preparation Case content preparation Identify 3 -5 cases that you will use for the case practice Considerations: - Select cases with different problem types / frameworks - Select industries that you are familiar with, but, select a variety of industries For each case: - Read the case overviews, details, and solution - Determine if the case details and solution are sufficient to deliver the case effectively - Make modifications as needed/desired – change industry, change given client name, add examples, add facts/figures etc. - Confirm and/or draft your best idea of the proposed solution - If possible, convert the case into your own type written notes (if time permits) – or make notes in the margin of the case Case delivery preparation Determine the structure you will use to deliver the case – Directed (you ask specific questions) or unstructured (interviewee drives the case) Determine focus on deep quantitative elements, more qualitative, or a mixture Determine how helpful you will be to the interviewee Determine if there areas of the case not to solve and be prepared to direct away Determine if there areas you wish to probe deeply or ask questions 4

Case Delivery Engaged Delivery Case delivery preparation Review any notes about the case Prepare a sheet of notes to track interviewee’s case performance – plan to record both how the case is being solved and feedback on the approach to solving the case Inquire if the interviewee has a particular case topic of interest or preference Give the interviewee the logistics for the case practice (e. g. , 30 minutes for the case, 15 minutes to discuss feedback) Case delivery Begin case delivery and record start time on notes sheet – record stop time also Provide the case overview to the interviewee – be very specific about the case question(s) / problem the interviewee is to solve Pause – allow interviewee a few moments to ask questions Clarify – if interviewee has misunderstood the case content, intent, or details, clarify these Work case with interviewee: - Continuously record notes – details of interviewees case solution and feedback - Probe on areas periodically / Ask why questions / Ask “what else” - Ensure interviewee does not stray off topic 10 minutes prior to end of time – begin to guide interviewee to conclude 5 minutes prior to end of time – prompt recommendation / conclusion End case on time 5

Case Delivery Detailed Feedback Take a few moments to wrap-up note taking and prepare summary thoughts Ask interviewee to provide their assessment of the case performance Deliver feedback to interviewee: - Balance positive and constructive feedback - Be honest – sugar-coating feedback is not helpful to your colleague - Be specific – generalities are not actionable Give your notes to the interviewee Topic areas for case feedback • • Structure used for the case Overall feel of case – natural or like following a recipe Creation of a dialogue between colleagues Use of questions and effectiveness Problem identification Information / data needs identification Correct and simplified math (if calculations involved) • Conclusion / recommendation – action-oriented, creative, realistic • Interviewee notes – organized, visible • Unique insights discussed • Hints picked-up on • Body language – comfortable, confident • Energy / enjoyment of the case • Overall performance 6

Case Feedback RATING: H – HIGH | M – Medium | L - Low Case Name: Structure: Rating Brainstorm: Rating Analysis: Rating Conclusion: Rating Delivery/Poise: Rating Other: Rating 7

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