Numeracy questions: do I need to answer directly and to structure the solution or the interviewer will guide me?

Hi,

Here is the approach:

• You listen to the question
• Think 10-30 secs and present the interviewer your approach (e.g. the exact formula or equation) 
• Check with the interviewer if that's the correct approach
• Start doing the calculations and come back to the interviewer with some intermediate numbers to make sure you are on track
• Present the final answer

Best!

Consulting is all about collaborative problem solving. Interviewer needs to be involved in the discussion. However, key question is where? How can you construct a conversation to showcase 1. Your ability to build logic 2. Client friendly communication (involving interviewer). I suggest the following:

Step 1: Make sure that you know the objective of the calculation. Why are you doing it? Where will it fit in the larger approach.

Step 2: Communicate your business logic and calculation formula to the interviewer and ensure he is fine with it.

Step 3: Ask if he has any data/exhibit on it or you should make assumptions

Step 4: As per his guidnace in Step 3, proceed with the claculations.

Step 5: Try and relate the calculation answer to the business objective with which you had started in Step 1.

Hope it helps. All the best!