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Online interviews

Hi, can anyone share their experience on how cases with exhibits are being done online using google meet/zoom/skype? I've gone through certain cases where there are multiple exhibits and idk if I can remember all the details if I can only see one exhibit at a time during the interview. Does online interviews generally have fewer exhibits because of this? I do know that I will be able to hold on to them if it is an in person interview but how does it work if it is an online interview? Any tips on how to ace it?

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Top answer
Moritz
Coach
on Mar 23, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises

Hi there,

I conducted online interviews as interviewer for McKinsey and I can assure you of two things:

  • There will be no less exhibits and the McKinsey format hasn't been "compromised" in any way
  • Interviewers are acutely aware of the challenges with online interviews and will be very accommodating

In practice, this means that interviewers share exhibits via screen and you may ask them to go forth and back. For simple exhibits, note down the data (example: small data table). For more complex exhibits (example: x/y bubble plot) you are not expected to note down the info.

Most importantly, make everything conversational so the interviewer knows what's going on if you're struggling and can accommodate you.

Best of luck!

Ian
Coach
on Mar 23, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

They will share their screen with you so that you can see the exhibit. In some cases (Bain) they may show you a few exhibits all on one page.

Some tips:

  1. Write down the key information (remember to have a new sheet of paper for every section of the case)
  2. Don't be afraid to ask them to go back to x exhibit…just don't do this too many times (once you go back, write down the info you need)
  3. Practice!
Andi
Coach
on Mar 22, 2022
BCG 1st & Final Round interviewer | Personalized prep with >95% success rate | 7yrs coaching | Experienced Hires

I'd second with the previous answers: don't worry too much about the online format - it's not a memory game, while effective note-taking of charts will still be of great help (online as well as offline) as it will allow you to distill, and synthesize information more effectively, and to connect the dots.

Besides, at least for BCG, online cases tend to be less heavy on exhibits as a rule of thumb.  However, as always with case interviews, be prepared for anything.

Maikol
Coach
on Mar 22, 2022
BCG Project Leader | Former Bain, AlixPartner, and PE | INSEAD MBA | GMAT 780

Don't worry, the case is not on memory. 
You will have the possibility to go back to previous pieces of information.

However, my strong suggestion is to jot down some notes on each slide. First, you read it, then you write the key concept and figures.

on Mar 22, 2022
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

That's a great question! 

The interview won't be testing your memory, so don't worry about being expected to remember graphs by heart. If the interviewer expects you to be integrating insights across graphs at different stages of the interview, they will be making these available to you. What usually happens during online interviews is that they will either send you the exhibits or share screen with all of them at once. 

Deleted user
on Mar 22, 2022

Hello 

By design, it would be much fewer exhibits as compared to f2f format. As suggested by other experts, do make notes if presented with a couple of exhibits, and it's ok to ask the interviewer to flip back and forth between them as needed. 

Good luck!

4
Pedro
Coach
on Mar 24, 2022
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

They'll most likely share their screen, although in some cases they may share a file with multiple exhibits - that's more rare. 

They are adjusting the cases to have a format that minimizes logistics issues - so sharing a single slide (with multiple exhibits) on the screen is the most popular option.

Lucie
Coach
on Mar 22, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Hi there, 

there are no less exhibits because of the online format, but you can ask to flip through them as you need or you can ask if you can take a print screen. 

Good luck,

Lucie

Was this answer helpful?

Florian
Coach
on Mar 31, 2022
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

  1. Online interviews usually have the same number of exhibits, the format has not changed.
  2. Interviewers leave the shared screen on as long as your need to drive your insights. 

Cheers,

Florian

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