Restart after 4 months break

Question

Hi All,

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. During summer this year, I have done around 65 cases. Then since school started in August, I had not done any case until today. I just finished my school and now focus on the job hunt. The good news is I have taken business strategy related classes and did a consulting project as a team leader during this semester. In short, I think I have gained things for my FIT.

However, I believe after 4 months of case break, I lost my performance (have not been tested as I have not done any case). How should I start to leverage my practice before? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you for your help

Answer 1

Hi & Merry Christmas,

your skill can't be gone after a pause like that, given you solved 65 cases! I'd go through a couple of cases you did this summer just to refresh your memory and then go solve some more.

Here are two new cases I published just recently:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/case-with-a-twist-chinese-alloy-wheels-us-market-entry-226

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/beginner/launching-caskets-in-north-africa-1st-round-bain-case-225

Hope it is helpful,

Break a leg!

GB

Answer 2

Hi,

Dont' worry, you're previous preparation is not lost!!!

Regarding your case prep, starting from those you've already done, I'd refresh:

- Best practices you developed on how to conduct a case.
- How to structure the case and communicate top-down.
- Mental math skills (PrepLounge has a good tool for that).

Then you might schedule some coaching sessions to succeed in your interviews like a top-performer.

I hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

Answer 3

Hello!

Don´t you worry, this is like riding a bike, you never forget how to do it!

You just need to get in shape again.

Have you considered working with a coach to make a plan based on the gaps you identified before, when you were casing? This would save you a lot of time and re-work

Best,

Clara

Answer 4

Hi there,

Honestly, I believe breaks like this actually can help! Taking a break actually allows your brain to process everything and lock it into long-term memory. This makes you less overwhelmed/stressed during casing.

I recommend you just kick off back where you started! Get back into casing, hire a coach, and keep getting assessed!

Answer 5

Hi,

Merry Christmas!!

I don't think it will completely gone with only 4 month pause and you did do a of relevant works.

I would suggest to simply pick it up and start practicing again to refresh.

Best,

Iman

Answer 6

Hi there,

I agree with the other coaches that it is unlikely you have lost all your progress.

I would recommend the following:

Define a specific time slot to dedicate to the preparation in the next weeks and keep a regular practice
If you marked the most challenging cases, go back to them and review them first on your own.
After reading 4-5 cases, start practicing live so that you can also work on your communication

Best,
Francesco

Answer 7

Hey,

You wouldnt have lost it all given you did 65 cases. There will be muscle memory :).

I suggest you redo some of the previous cases, refresh on approach and frameworks and remind yourself of your key gaps. Engage a coach for 2-3 sessions when you are ready in addition to solving another 15-20 cases in this round.

good luck

Answer 8

Hi,

Several things:

Do a couple of cases with other candidates to get the skill back
Go back to the previous cases that you've done and try to brush them up
Do a session with a current consultant / coach to assess the gaps that you might still have

Best