Hi there,

Q: My interview is only two weeks away. What should I do?

It would be useful to know which are the areas you are struggling with as otherwise we cannot help much.

In terms of general preparation, I would recommend the following, it seems you have already done some of them but could be good to review.

1. Define a calendar for your preparation. Identify how many hours you have before your interview and allocate a time slot for preparation in your calendar for each day, working on the points below. Many candidates need 100+ hours to be ready before the interview starting from zero so you can keep that as a benchmark (subtracting the ones you have already used for prep)
2. Start reading good MBA Consulting Casebooks – you can find several for free online (INSEAD is a good one to start). Read the cases and try to apply your structure to solve them. Whenever you see there is something missing, upgrade your structure with the new insights. Try to read a new case per day – in this way you will absorb better the information with constant learning.
3. After the first 5-10 cases in books/casebooks and basic theory, start to practice live. PrepLounge can be helpful to connect with other candidates for that. There is a relevant part of the interview score that is based on your communication, which you cannot practice at all if you read cases only.
4. Keep track of your mistakes and find out which ones you are repeating. This is super-important, as otherwise you may do a ton of cases without fixing the real issues. If you find common mistakes, try to identify the reason for them (feedback from experienced partners would be particularly useful for this). Be sure to focus on both the behavioral part and the case part during the mocks. The case part should also cover market sizing, math and graph analysis.
5. Before the interviews, be sure to prepare your questions for the interviewer  – a great way to show you prepared in advance and to connect with the interviewer for a good final impression. Ideally, try to get information on who they are and study their profile to have good questions to ask.

If you want to spend a few hours only instead of 100+ and cover everything mentioned above, I developed a program precisely for that. 

You can check the program at the following link to learn more:

▶ GYM Program

If you have any questions please feel free to PM me.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

A few things:

1. Take a break - doesn't matter if your interview is 2 weeks out. Weekends exist for a reason. Rest days at the gym exist for a reason
2. Slow down cases - 2 a day is a lot. I could have told you 20 days ago you would have burned out!
3. Quality not quantity - Do the right cases in the right way. Learn by giving cases not just receiving them. Review old cases
4. Do other practice - A soccer team doesn't get ready for game day just by scrimmaging. They also have to do dribbling, shoot, passing drills. Do the same here.
5. Get a different coach - A therapist has to be selected right. A doctor has to be selected right. A gym trainer has to be selected right. So does a coach. I'm sorry this particular coach didn't help…but not all coaches are good (or good for you), just like not everyone in any profession is good. Do some research, get on some calls, and try it one more time. Hint: Price tends to correlate with quality (tends to…higher hit % rate).

Firstly, I commend your dedication to practice. That's an essential part of preparation, but remember - quality matters more than quantity. If you're not seeing the progress you'd like, it might be time to shift your focus.

Here's my advice:

1. Understanding the Interviewer's Perspective:

Try to understand what the interviewer is looking for. Each case is a story, with a problem that needs solving. The interviewer wants to see how you approach the problem, structure your thoughts, deal with data, and articulate your solutions. This is why sometimes repeating cases can be beneficial; you get a chance to see the case from a new perspective, spot any areas you may have missed before and understand the structure of how the case should be solved.

2. Focus on Fundamentals:

Strong foundations make for strong structures. Brush up on your understanding of business concepts, financial literacy, market analysis etc. Having a firm grasp of these can help you better understand and approach the cases.

3. Revisit Old Cases:

Yes, you heard me right. Re-do some of the cases you've already done. This can be a great confidence booster and it allows you to identify your improvements and where you might still be struggling. You might notice patterns or approaches you didn't spot the first time around, and seeing your progress can also help with the nerves.

4. Mindset and Confidence:

Lastly, remember that it's okay to feel a bit nervous - it means you care about the outcome. Try to turn that energy into enthusiasm and curiosity. Before each case, take a deep breath, remind yourself that you're capable, and try to approach the case as an exciting challenge.

With two weeks left, you have a good amount of time to make these adjustments. And remember, interviewers want to see your problem-solving skills in action - not just your ability to recite rehearsed answers.

Best of luck for your interview!

Hello,

I think the title of your post should give you an important clue - if you are feeling burned out from casing, take a couple of days off, and do something that will help you relax and have fun. You're not going to be able to do your best on the interview if you are feeling burned out! Taking care of your mental state is key in this process, and part of that is pacing yourself so that you are at your best on interview day, not exhausted and filled with dread at the thought of solving a case. Look after yourself!

My general approach for approaching case interviews is as follows: 

• Start by doing some reading on case interviews to get a sense of how they work, what some standard frameworks are, etc. You could take a look at some of the guides here on PrepLounge, skim through classic books like Case Interview Secrets or Case In Point, or look at consulting firm websites, which usually have some guides or video examples of case interviews.
• Once you've gotten a sense of what case interviews look like (and, importantly, what a good case interview looks like), I recommend diving straight into live case prep! You might feel a bit nervous, but that's ok - by far the best way to practice for case interviews is to regularly do mock cases yourself (i.e., don't just read cases by yourself - have someone, be it a coach, case partner, or friend run an actual case interview with you). Everyone faces a steep learning curve at first and then quickly gets better. 
• If you are interested in working with a coach at all, having a few coaching sessions early would also speed up your learning and help you get a better sense of where to direct your focus. I'm sorry to hear your previous coaching experience was not helpful - sometimes it takes a couple of tries to find a coach who is right for you.
• Last but not least, don't neglect the behavioral/fit components of the interview! While case interviews feel more idiosyncratic and require a little more getting used to, it's still important to spend time preparing and practicing your answers for the behavioral portions (which most firms will incorporate as part of the interview process). I recommend looking up common behavioral interview questions in consulting, and spending some time writing up and practicing your answers.

It seems like you've done a solid amount of case practice already, so let me flip the question to you - what is it in particular you are struggling with? What makes you say “I'm still not good at casing?” If you can pinpoint your areas of development more precisely, I'd be happy to suggest some strategies for working on those things specifically.

Best of luck!

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your situation - indeed you'll be feeling the pressure given how close your interview is. 

Ill share a few of my thoughts on how to think about this, which hopefully will be helpful for you now and also in the future if you have further interview preparation:

1. Fundamentally, it's important to realize that the objective you are trying to achieve is to demonstrate the necessary skills and capabilities during the actual interview itself
   • Volume of practice and time needed are functions of how you get there - but this differs from person to person
   • I personally know people who did not prepare at all for the interviews but still aced it
   • But for most people, -some- amount of preparation and practice is needed and imo things like that cannot be rushed
2. Given your current situation, there are 3 options you have with regards to trying to build these skills as per #1 above
   1. Keep your coach (and try and adjust the way you work to make things more effective for you)
      • Remember - coaching is a 2 way activity, and it is our job as coaches to try and find the most effective way to impart knowledge/experience that is tailored to you
      • Try and have a conversation with that coach to see if there's something different you could try to make your learning better
   2. Change your coach
      • Another option is to try a different coach - this may help you get a different result/experience
   3. Use no coach at all
      • You could also try at it yourself again
      • If you are going down this path, the minimum is that you do your practices with a quality partner who can give you good quality feedback (even if said person is not a coach)

Actually, the secondary key question you are trying to solve for now is “why am I not improving / have I not improved even after hiring a coach etc". 

But there are numerous possible answers and reasons to this and it is hard to give a targeted diagnoses without further context or engagement. This is why I framed the section #2 in terms of how to prep with or without help. In the event of a crunched time preparation, I would strongly recommend either option #2A or #2B because 

1. You don't know what you don't know, and a 3rd party objective view could help a lot in pivoting your performance
2. You don't really have the luxury of time of figuring things out yourself
3. The real interview will involve someone sitting on the other side of the table/zoom

Do you absolutely need a coach - I would say objectively no. If you are able to get the same quality of advice and guidance from say a friend or acquaintance, sure why not. But again, in the short amount of time that you have, a coach is still the most reliable method of getting external help (given you are paying for the coach's time and experience of course).

All the best!

(editiert)

Hi,

I understand that you're feeling burned out and frustrated with your progress in case interview preparation. Too much preparation can negatively impact your performance and motivation. Here are some suggestions to help you recharge and make the most of the remaining time before your interview:

• Take a break: It's important to give yourself some time to rest and recharge. Consider taking a few days off from practicing cases to relax and rejuvenate. Engage in activities that you enjoy, spend time with loved ones, exercise, or pursue hobbies that help you de-stress.
• Reflect on your approach: Take some time to reflect on your preparation strategy and identify any areas that may need adjustment. Consider whether you're spending enough time on case analysis and structuring, practicing with different case types, or seeking feedback on your performance. Evaluate the effectiveness of your current approach and make necessary modifications.
• Seek targeted feedback: If your coaching experience hasn't been helpful, consider seeking feedback from other sources. Reach out to friends or peers who have experience with case interviews and ask them to practice with you or provide feedback on your performance. You can also consider looking for another coach that aligns better with your needs. 
• Focus on quality, not quantity: Instead of practicing a high volume of cases, shift your focus to improving the quality of your practice. Take the time to thoroughly analyze each case, identify key issues, develop structured frameworks, and provide clear and logical recommendations. Pay attention to the feedback you receive and work on specific areas of improvement.
• Simulate interview conditions: As your interview approaches, simulate interview conditions as closely as possible during your practice sessions. Time yourself, create a professional environment, and practice under pressure to help reduce nervousness and build confidence.
• Review and consolidate your knowledge: Spend time reviewing core business concepts, frameworks, and industry trends. Ensure you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals that are commonly tested in case interviews. Consolidate your knowledge by summarizing key concepts, creating flashcards, or teaching others, which can help reinforce your understanding.
• Visualize success and manage stress: Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself performing well in your interviews. Visualize yourself confidently addressing case problems, communicating effectively, and impressing your interviewers. Additionally, practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or physical activities to help alleviate anxiety.

Remember, improvement takes time and persistence. It's natural to feel nervous and encounter challenges along the way. Be patient with yourself, stay focused, and maintain a positive mindset. With strategic adjustments to your approach and a well-rested mind, you can still make progress and perform well in your upcoming interview.

/Marvin

Dear,

sadly, I went through this myself when I was preparing for the GMAT. I hear you. It's frustrating. 

You increase training, get help from experts (paying money), and invest time, and sometimes it almost feels like you're going in reverse. One of my theories is “doing too many mock interviews is counterproductive and won't increase your performance”.

What I have realized in these cases is that it is not the quantity that matters. And continuing to make cases in the wrong setup will only increase stress and anxiety.

Call the HR of the company where you are to interview and reschedule your interview. There's nothing wrong with it and you won't be penalized for it. it's proof of maturity that shows you care about the company and want to get to the "big day" in the best shape of your life.

After taking away this deadline (which probably contributes greatly to the frustration), I suggest you pause for a moment to identify the problem. If helpful, talk to experts and/or peers with whom you have done cases together. it is critical to understand what is not working and holding you back. That way you can isolate the problem and take targeted actions to solve it.

If you need to talk more about it and discuss it with someone who has been through a similar situation before, feel free to DM me.

Good luck!