How to navigate "fluid conversations" in interviews?

Question

Dear experts, would like to seek your input on this topic. I'm currently interviewing for corporate strategy roles. In the interview, I was given a scenario (business issue) and was asked several questions about what I thought. The whole process seems very different vs. the case interviews I've conducted at consulting firms, as the process was very “discussion” driven and very “fluid”. Specifically, the difference are:

1. Prompt could be much longer, and there could be multiple goals, or even no clearly stated “goal” at all.

2. Not much data/chart is offered and the interviewer just wants to hear your thoughts on several questions. Seems to me that industry knowledge is quite critical, as interviewers are expecting business insights based on limited context.

My questions is states as below:

A. Process-wise:

Should I treat such interviews as typical consulting case interviews? (i.e. clarify a clear goal, asking time to brain storm every question, etc) How can I train to “think structurally” instantly in mind without asking for time?

The interviewer said he wanted it to be a “discussion” and want to know how I think and what's my approach. I just felt weird if always asking time to think.

B. Approach & content-wise, are there any things to take in mind when interviewing corporate strategy role?

I feel that corporate strategy roles focus a bit more on the “actionability” of the strategy, and I'd need to take into consideration what different stakeholders may have in mind.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

I sat for a couple of corporate strategy interviews - and this was exactly my experience.

My thoughts on this (and how I approached this)

Gauge the ‘pace' of the interview
- This is exactly what you mentioned, e.g. feeling weird if you asked for time
- In one interview, I had asked for time at the start but the interviewer did not give me the time, and so I took that as a hint to respond on the spot (without time to think)
Be anchored to the fundamentals
- Structured, logical and MECE thinking will always be appreciated - even though it may not be asked for in the same way as a case interview does
Contextualize for the job
- To a certain extent, many corp strat roles will entail some form of implementation that may not be needed to the same level (and ownership) as in consulting projects, so yes you would have to account for stakeholders and this as well

All the best!

Answer 2

Hi there,

It's great to hear this account of the interview. Thanks for sharing it.

It makes exactly the point that I explain to everyone. Interviews are a conversation primarily, not a test.

They are meant to simulate the interaction that you would have with the client or on the job more generally.

So the more you engage with the interviewer, the better.

The objective isn't to ‘solve’ whatever they give you in the fastest time available, but to create engagement in the process.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi there,

Love this question!

Remember that, for all interviews, you do always want to make sure to be fluid.

Structure/organization does not negate fluidity and conversation.

If the discussion starts off relaxed/fluid do not ask for time to think.

Think about it, do you do that when conversing with friends or a college? Of course not!

Ultimately, leverage your learnings in frameworking to give structured answers BUT also don't be rigid/robotic when you do.

Practice with others (and coaches) to respond to “regular” brainstorming and conversational questions on the spot…just like you do in every other day-to-day interaction in your life!