Should you copy tables in your notes?

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• It is a valid approach to not copy the whole table during a case study interview and instead, focus on drawing the key insights from it. This can save time and allow you to focus on actively thinking and discussing the case with the interviewer.
• If you choose not to copy the table, it's important to make sure you are taking clear and thorough notes on the key information and insights from the table, so that you can refer back to them later if needed. You can also ask the interviewer to show the table again if needed.
• It's also important to balance the time spent taking notes with actively thinking and discussing the case with the interviewer in general. Remember that the case interview is not only about the answer, but also about the problem-solving process and your ability to communicate and present your analysis clearly.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

It really depends.

The rule is you should write down what you need to stay organized.

In a scenario where you have multiple exhibits, you certainly want to write key #s down before moving to the next (so you don't switch back and forth)

In a scenario where it's a “simple” table, you may just want to write the “result” of calcs.

If it's a complex table, you may want to write down just the #s that matter.

Again, you need to balance time + accuracy here and it's very much situational.

Hi there,

This depends on the situation and requires good judgement on your end. 

Tables are generally there to derive insights from by crunching the numbers i.e., reducing many numbers down to a few, new and meaningful numbers. In that case, ask the interviewer to share the exhibit for the time it takes you to do this.

I wouldn't copy the table by default since you can always ask for it again, if needed, or ask if you could take a screenshot. Everything else seems like a waste of time, especially with a big table.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

What has helped me is writing down the key results from the table. You can always access the exhibit as it will be in front of you in the interview.

Hello!

It's too broad, totally depends on the case and the purpose of notating the table. 

Clara

It really depends… this is why practice is relevant. And it's really about what works for YOU.