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Anonymous A
on Feb 13, 2024
Global
Question about
Case Interview Basics Article
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

How is the resume screening done? Is it done by a human or by a computer? If done by a computer, should we use any keywords to make sure our CV passes through?

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Adrien
Coach
on Feb 13, 2024
Ex-McKinsey interviewer & Senior Consultant | Harvard MBA

Hi,

Depends on the firm, could be:

1) Nearly fully automated (Big 4)

2) Automated with additional human review at 2nd stage screening (MBB, T2)

3) Purely human (Boutiques typically)

In terms of keywords, you'd want to use action verbs + description of the impact + potential skills developped. 

Obviously IT systems would also filter by schools (target or not) & previous work experience, but that would show up on any CV by definition

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Cristian
Coach
on Feb 13, 2024
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

It really depends on the office and firm. 

Small offices, even in big firms, do it all manually. 

Big offices use software. 

What the software does is to identify keywords that relate to consulting experience. They then provide a rating that highlights to the recruiters a high-potential CV. They typically then review it manually or together with junior consultants (again, depends on the firm). 

All of this enforces the point that you need a well-written CV (and that doesn't mean having lots of key words in white font in your CV :) ). Getting expert feedback on your CV is probably one of the highest ROI things you can do if you're planning on getting help for your consulting applications. 

Sharing here also a guide that delves deeper into the application process:

  • Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Good luck!
Cristian

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Florian
Coach
on Feb 13, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Depends on the firm and office but most firms now use automated screening to decrease the workload of recruiters.

This does not change how you approach your resume crafting, since you would want to polish it and shine in the best possible light for humans or computers alike.

You need to include the same keywords and phrases to stand out and make it through (e.g., focus on quantified achievements, not role descriptions, value and skill words used in consulting, top x% of class indications, awards, etc).

All the best,

Florian

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Ian
Coach
on Feb 13, 2024
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Completely agree with Florian here.

It's going to change by firm. And, it's not going to change what you do.

Bring in keywords regardless. Demonstrate value. Have action verbs. Make your resume as calorie dense as possible. Be consistent. Make sure it passes the eye test.

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Pedro
Coach
on Feb 29, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

Coaches are saying it depends on firm and office, which is true, but I would add another dimension, it also depends on role/rank, and whether you are an experienced hire vs. a university hire.

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Question on the Case Interview Basics Article
Preparation for Case Studies
A case interview is a 30-minute simulation of a typical business project that consultants may have worked on. Cases provide a real example of an on-job experience and the assumption is that if a candidate is successfully able to tackle a case interview, they are more likely to be a successful management consultant. Unfortunately, several outstanding candidates with top grades and co-curriculars fail case interviews in the recruiting process.Why is that? One reason is that several candidates memorize standard frameworks, hoping to recall each framework during case interviews. Frameworks, though useful for a rudimentary layout of case problems, must be tweaked and customized for different cases. You can become proficient in case structuring but only with the necessary practice.While good candidates use standard frameworks to systematically solve the problems in consulting case interviews, outstanding candidates also see the big picture and adapt the frameworks specific to the business case. To become an outstanding candidate:Learn different types of business casesLearn to differentiate the various case typesUnderstand the process of breaking down complex cases into simpler componentsLearn to apply problem-solving skills in appropriate frameworks (issue trees)Practice, practice, practice!*article-lock-trigger*This BootCamp will provide you with the basic tools you need for an effective case solving process and familiarize you with most different types of cases. Once you’ve got the hang of it, solve as many cases as you can and remember:NOT to memorize the cases you solve during your preparation!NOT to blindly apply standard frameworks, especially where they do not fit!For a more detailed look at how to ‘crack’ cases, please visit our best practice approach.These case studies are the main and usually the longest part of consulting interviews. During the 20 to 40-minute case interview, you will be confronted with a business problem that is often drawn from one of the interviewer’s real-life engagements. Below is a schematic showing a typical process for a consulting interview after a resume screening. Many companies peer-review and standardize their consulting business cases prior to a real case interview to ensure that the case is neither too hard nor too easy. The companies also ensure to test a variety of skills during case interviews.Unlike the case books you may know from your university or case reports in business journals, the initial information you will get is very limited. You won’t be able to solve the case using only this initial information, also known as the opening of the case. Typical openings are:“Company ABC is a watch manufacturer who is recently experiencing profit problems and a decline in market share, what should they do?”“Company XY is an automotive company who is thinking about entering the Chinese market in 2014, should they go east?”“Company Z is a private equity company that contemplates merging with company A. Does it make sense?”After the opening of a case, you should take a couple of minutes to structure your thoughts and come up with a customized framework (more on this later). Visit our employer profiles or homepages of the companies that you would like to work with for further information about consulting casesHave a look at many prestigious employers in our career section. You will find priceless insights about their respective application process. If you are interested in applying to MBB consulting firms: below you can also find links to their respective descriptions of consulting case studies.While acing case interviews is indispensable, the "personal fit interview" is equally important. Visit the personal fit part of the Case Interview Basics for more information on this part of the recruiting process.
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