I have a few communication-related questions for experienced case interviewers/candidates:
1. When discussing the company during a case, do you typically refer to it as "the client" or use the company's name (e.g., "WyCar")? Is one considered more professional or consultant-like?
2. When presenting a framework, do you explicitly use the word "bucket" (e.g., "I have three buckets"), or do you prefer alternatives such as "areas," "dimensions," "drivers," or something else? It seems saying bucket does not seem too professional.
3. After recapping the case prompt, which closing phrase do you prefer and why?
- "Is my understanding correct?" (Is asking for confirmation seen as a lack of confidence?)
- "Did I miss anything important?" (This closing gives a chance for the interviewer to correct the recap if something was missed, but at the same time, does it decreases the perceived confidence of the candidate's understanding?)
- Another variation?
4. If there a preferred way to "break the silence" after drafting the framework?
- "I've organized my thoughts. Shall I proceed?"
- or should we directly present the framework (But what if the interviewer is not ready?)
I'm curious whether there are best practices here, particularly for McKinsey and Bain interviews. I have been getting different point of views, and I would like to settle this one and for all.
Thank you in advance.
