In a case interview, you are introduced to a business dilemma facing a particular company. You have to analyze the situation, identify key business issues, and discuss how you would address the problems.

 

  • Practice extensively before a case interview. Start out with some practice explaining a process you know well, like how to change a tire or how to bake a cake. Advance to assessing a business situation for friends or family members, such as which investment vehicle they should choose for an inheritance. Practice speaking clearly and cleanly, summarizing processes in a minute or less.
  • Listen carefully to the question. Paraphrase it back to the interviewer to ensure your understanding. You may also want to take notes, possibly on a pad of graph paper in case you want to create a graph as part of your conclusion.
  • Use silence wisely to ask the interviewer if it is okay to take a moment to ponder the case, and then take a few moments to collect your thoughts.
  • Make your process transparent and "think out loud" as you are working through the case. Remember that rarely is there one "right" answer for analyzing a case. However, be careful not to forget key facts, defend impossible ideas, or force the wrong structure onto a problem.
  • Don't be afraid to ask questions. The case interview is meant to be interactive, with lots of back and forth between you and the interviewer. Questions are expected, especially because the information provided about the case will likely be incomplete.
  • Construct a logical framework with which to explore the critical issues of the case. Many of the principles you learned in business school can serve as a framework. Examples include Porter's Five Forces, the SWOT analysis, Value Chain Analysis, and the Four P's of marketing. Make sure your conclusion is grounded in action, not just theory. Be able to explain/defend your reasoning.
  • Prioritize the issues and objectives and pay attention to what is important. You don’t have time for every aspect of the case. As you ask questions, you should be able to pick up clues as to which issues are key.
  • Think outside the box, creativity and brainstorming may be just what the interviewer is looking for.