Preparing for case interviews is easily one of the most difficult aspects of applying for consulting positions. Here you will find resources to help you prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How are interviews with consulting firms structured?
A. Typically consulting firms require case interviews as part of their recruitment process. You should expect 2–3 rounds of interviews which may include written cases. During your interview(s), you will first answer “fit” questions for approximately 5–10 minutes. This is your opportunity to sell yourself as a candidate. Following the fit portion, you will move on to the case portion which should last 30–35 minutes. Finally, you will end your interview asking the interviewee any questions you may have.
Q. What is a case interview?
A. There are a few formats for case interviews that you can expect to encounter including interviewer-led case interviews, candidate-led case interviews, and written cases. During your case interview, you will be given a prompt describing a client who is requesting your help to address an issue(s). Your goal is to determine what is happening and how to address or solve it. The purpose of the case interview is to test your ability to solve a business problem by thinking critically, communicating logically, and representing yourself (and potentially their firm) well. Cases will likely include both qualitative and quantitative portions, so be prepared for both. There are many books, online resouces, and podcasts dedicated to mastering the case interview which you will find below.
Q. When should I start preparing for case interviews?
A. ASAP! Many recommend practicing 20–40 live cases before your first round of interviews. This will give you the opportunity to test out your frameworks, correct bad habits, and learn best practices. Your schedule for preparing will vary based on your individual needs, however many recommend at least two months of preparation before interviewing.
Additional Resources
Books
- Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng
- Case in Point by Marc P. Cosentino
- Crack the Case by David Orhvall
- Competitive Advantage by Michael Porter
- How to Interview Like a Top MBA by Dr. Shel Leanne
Online Resources
- www.caseinterview.com
- www.caseinterviewmath.com
- Victor Cheng’s LOMS
- www.casequestions.com
- www.preplounge.com
- www.passthecase.com
- www.casecoach.com
Podcasts
- BCG Henderson Institute
- Bloomberg-Business Week
- Management Consulting Insights
- Money Talks from The Economist
- The Strategy Skills Podcast
If you have additional questions, please email GradConsultingClub@georgetown.edu.
