I saw this question unanswered on a previous thread, If I'm assigned to the same interviewer and they give the same case as the previous year, this is something I should immediately call out right? What is the process for this situation?
Hi,
Ok first of all I want to echo and second what Ian has said which is a great point → you are focusing your energy on a wild scenario and it is really not worth your mental space.
In addition to the low odds, let me tell you another reason why it doesn't matter, having been an interviewer for 5 years in BCG.
The point is that as an interviewer, I am testing how you think on the spot. And I have full control over what to ask you in order to test your thinking and abilities.
Let me tell you yet another reason why you should not be worrying/focusing on this. And this reason is simply from a statistical point of view. 1 repeat interviewer out of an average of ~4 interviews means you still need to perform in 3 of the other interviews. Even if you ‘faked it’ or ‘scrapped by’ because you were not honest, you are going to get 3 other interviewers whose case you have not ‘done’ before. If you don't have the actual skills/abilities then you will still fail the interview. You need strong performance across ALL interviews to get the offer.
So to you and anyone else who who might think this is an issue, it is not. please focus instead of what is important.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are assigned the same interviewer and given the same case as the previous year during a new round of interviews, it is essential to handle it with professionalism and communicate the situation appropriately. Here's what you can do:
1. Verify the Case: Before assuming it's the same case, ensure that it is indeed the same as the one you had during your previous interview. Review the case carefully to confirm the similarity.
2. Stay Calm and Composed: It's natural to feel surprised or concerned, but try to remain calm and composed during the interview. Avoid showing frustration or irritation.
3. Clarify the Situation: Towards the beginning of the interview, you can politely mention to the interviewer that you have encountered a similar case before during a previous interview. Ask if they are aware of this and if there is a reason for the repetition.
4. Focus on the Process: Regardless of the case's familiarity, treat it as a new challenge. The interviewer may have specific reasons for reusing the case, such as evaluating your growth and improvement since the last interview.
5. Adapt and Add Value: Use the opportunity to demonstrate how you've grown and improved since your previous interview. Approach the case with fresh insights, new analyses, and additional value that you didn't provide in the previous interview.
6. Be Professional: Avoid complaining or making negative comments about the repeated case. Stay positive and professional throughout the interview.
7. Seek Feedback: After the interview, you can ask for feedback on your performance, including how you handled the repeated case. This will show your commitment to learning and improving.
Remember that interviewers are human too, and they may not always be aware of your previous interviews or the case history. By addressing the situation professionally, you can showcase your adaptability and problem-solving skills. Additionally, it's essential to focus on the value you can bring to the firm and how you can contribute to its success.
Good luck with your interview, and I hope you make the most of the opportunity to showcase your abilities!
Hi there,
I have actually not heard of that ever happening to someone. Definitely not a scenario you should actively prepare for.
However, if the interviewer doesn't seem to remember you (which would be poor interviewer prep but still possible given the sheer amount of interview candidates), just go with the flow and tackle the case.
In this scenario, you would be doing the case for the second time meaning that you likely did not solve it the first time around (or you would have advanced in the process). So solving it in the second interview would actually be new for you and chances are that you didn't even get to the end of the case previously. There is still plenty of wiggle room for the interviewer to take turns or for you to get lost. This is still true if it was a case you actually did solve the previous year but didn't perform sufficiently well in some other interview/round.
It is unlikely that the interviewer will just pivot to a different case if you tell them that “you already know” the case. They will just modify it along the way and observe you with an even higher degree of scrutiny because now they need to distinguish between what you might remember from that first time vs. what you can actually structure and figure out on your own on the spot.
Hope that helps
Hi there,
If it were a different interviewer I would probably stay quiet. If it's the exact same interviewer? That's a tough one.
I would probably call it out but do it in a joking way - as in, I'd make light of the situation and make sure we have a good laugh about it (something like “Well, I think I'll do quite well on this one, given you gave it to me last year. Fingers crossed” and look up and give a smile).
I'd use it to my advantage to show 1) Humor/client relationship abilities and 2) Honesty/integrity
That said, I really don't know why you're focusing your time/energy on such a wild scenario…I'll bet you $1M dollars it does not happen! (Seriously, I'll make that bet with 1:1000 payout odds).
Focus on what matters!
Hi there,
to keep it short - if it's the same interviewer, I would raise it. At some point during the interview he/she will probably start to remember your prior interaction and it might look a bit silly. So in such case, just call it out and let him/her decide on how to proceed. Chances are you'll still get the same case anyway.
If it's not the same interviewer, it's not an issue at all. Noone will go back deep into the archives to check which cases you were previously given (which, often, isn't even being tracked properly) - don't overthink this. Some interviewers barely read your CV before the interview, not to say check how you interacted with the firm before. Noone cares, noone has the time to care.
Hope this helps.
Regards, Andi
Hi there,
Yes, I'd tell them as soon as you figure out.
They'll also appreciate your honesty.
The huge downside of not telling them is that if they figure it out during the case or later, it's not going to look good on you.
It's also quite unlikely that you'll get the exact same interviewer as last year.
Best,
Cristian
Hi there,
Q: If I'm assigned to the same interviewer and they give the same case as the previous year, this is something I should immediately call out right? What is the process for this situation?
I would expect this to be an extremely rare circumstance.
If it actually happens, I would let the interviewer know as they might realize later on their own. You can just let them know you have heard the case before.
Best,
Francesco
Hello,
This does not happen very often at all - I have never heard this happening to a candidate, though technically it is not impossible. My advice for this situation would be to let the interviewer know immediately, as soon as you've realized that you've been given a case you already did last year. They'll appreciate your honesty and they can decide how to proceed.
Expert case by