Interviewer led case - difference in case structuring process

Question

Hi all, among the cases I have practised, 90% are candidate led case. I'd like to ask a few suggestions:

(1) Are there any tips to strengthen the performance of interviewer led case (given that I have a solid foundation of candidate led case type)? What are some actions I can do?

(2) I'm a bit confused about the process of interviewer led style case. Sometimes my case partner directly jumps into first question. My question is, even if the interviewer directly jumps into the first question, can I always require that I would like to structure a case structure (just like candidate led case? Or I should dive deep into the specific questions without having an overall case structure?

(3) For interviewer led case, can I always ask for "time to structure"? Since many Mckinsey practice case has 6 questions, if I take time to clarify information and ask time to "structure thoughts", just as the same as candidate led case), it will eat up a huge amount of time.

Appreciate any feedbacks! Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello!

Agree with Vlad here, there are many misconceptions arround this interview-interviewee lead cases.

If you can master one, you will the other. There is not so much of a difference, and in both you will need to come up with a solid structure and defend it.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,
Clara

Answer 2

Hi,

Overall I think you've collected a lot of misconceptions about interviewer-led cases in that post.

1) Don't worry, if you are good with candidate led - you'll be good with both

2) In most of cases, you will still be making a structure. There is absolutely no difference. Please don't get confused here. Even if he asks to jump into some particular issue - you should have a structure to analyze that issue. You should be always structuring when analyzing the problems

3) You should always take time to make a structure - again no difference here. No one will ask you to draw the structure on the go

Best

Answer 3

Agree with Vlad and Clara! Just be aware that there is a path dependency: you have to master the candidate-led style, and then you will automatically also master the interviewer-led style (it doesn't work the other way round). Structuring is ALWAYS required, and there is no difference on how to structure.

Cheers, Sidi

Answer 4

Hi Anonymous,

please find the answers to your questions below:

If you are good at interviewee-led cases, I can’t see issues in interviewer-led ones. Just be aware the interviewer may cut your line of thought and ask to move to a new topic. Instead, people familiar with interviewer-led cases usually find interviewee-led ones more challenging, as they are not used to drive the case forward
You should structure the specific question asked by the interviewer; if you feel there may be additional areas interesting as next steps, you can add a bucket for that as last step in your initial structure and add those elements there
Yes, you can ask for time in an interviewer-led case as well – it is not a problem if you ask for 20-30 seconds multiple times during the interview

Best,

Francesco

Answer 5

Hello,

Don't worry too much about that. First of all, it's a myth that in McKinsey you find only interviewer-led cases. Secondly, most of the time you won't even notice at the beginning if it's an interviewer-led or a candidate-led case, you will write down your structure as you did in standard cases.

The only difference is that the interviewer could decide to "guide" you, asking specific questions or requiring specific analyses. On the one hand you will be a bit more under pressure, since you have a specific question that you have to answer in a sort time, but on the other hand you are guided towards the solution and you don't have to worry of missing the fundamental steps for resolution.

Best,
Luca

Answer 6

Hi,
the style is different but the preparation is the same. If you are good to solve cases you will perform well both in both options. About asking for time you can always ask for it.

Best,
Antonello

Answer 7

Hey,
Like some of the other experts pointed out. There is no fundamental differences. If you know how to do interviewee led case, you should be able to do interviewer-led case. The only difference I would say is that you just need to mentally prepared that you might get disrupted and redirected during the case, and don't take it personal. It doesn't necessarily mean you make mistake or anything, it is just the format/process of how the interview would be conducted.
In terms of clarification and structure, think you should still spend time before you jump in to solving the case. You cannot solve a case effectively without the right info and a clear structure. Those would be good investment time upfront.

Best,

Emily

Answer 8

Hi there!

I would strongly recommend reading this article to get the whole idea:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp.php/interview-first-aid/crack-the-case-interview/interviewer-led-vs-candidate-led-cases

Cheers,
GB