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Case Interviews 101

Case interviews can be very intimidating. This guide can help you prepare for the many types of case interviews! When in doubt, schedule an appointment with Becky McCain in the Center for Career Development via Handshake.

Most case interviews last between 30 minutes and 1 hour in length. The purpose of them, as explained in this video, are for the interviewee to demonstrate logic, analytical skills, communication skills, industry knowledge, and the ability to work under pressure. Usually a case interview will include one case with no time for advanced preparation. During longer interviews, students may have 2 cases or a brain teaser and a case. If a case is sent to a student in advance of the interview, they may be asked to create an Excel sheet or presentation prior to the interview.

Interviewee vs Interviewer Led: Most case interviews are interviewee led. This means that the interviewee will be presented with the case and is then responsible for walking the interviewer through the case and must process the case in an organized and efficient manner without a given structure. Sometimes the interviewer will ask guiding questions.

This guide can help you prepare for the many types of case interviews!

General Strategy:

  1. Identify the problem: Based on the information provided, what do you need to determine?

  2. Gather information: Ask the interviewer for more information, including clarifying questions. This can be quantitative or qualitative. Communicate when you are making an assumption, saying “I can assume that…”

  3. Conduct analysis: You may be given a specific framework to use for your analysis. Some common frameworks are a SWOT analysis and the profitability framework (see the 3 C’s case framework). If you are not given a framework, you may conduct the analysis using a framework of your choice or without using a specific framework. If you take notes, be sure to communicate everything that you are writing down.

  4. Draw your conclusion: Make suggestions and identify further action that would need to be taken.

Different Types of Case Interviews:

  1. Brain Teasers: These are cases that can range from 5-30 minutes in length. The point is to walk the interviewer through your logic to get the best answer. The point is not to get the correct answer. Sometimes these are asked at the end of behavioral interviews to demonstrate industry knowledge and sometimes they are designated as full cases.

      1. How many cans of white paint are sold in the U.S. every day?

      2. How many gas stations are there in LA?

      3. If I gave you $1 million, how would you invest it today?

  2. Consulting Case Studies: These case studies are often used for consulting internships or jobs. Here is a list of case studies at different consulting firms. (I find the OC&C examples to be helpful when working with market strategy.)

  3. Finance Case Studies: These case studies are more quantitative. Students may be asked to look at and understand financial statements or to use Excel. This document has a wide variety of cases including some examples that are more math/finance heavy. Youtube videos can also be helpful. I recommend conducting a search including the company you are interviewing for to see if there are specific examples.

By: Becky McCain, Assistant Director for Student Engagement, Center for Career Development