If you're given multiple exhibits in virtual interviews, should you ask if you can take pictures on your phone? What if both are quant heavy and you need to use numbers from each to calculate something? Just trying to imagine how this would play out virtually
(editiert)
Hi there,
If you get a bunch of charts at once, you have 2 options:
1) Process what each of them is generally saying first. So, look at one, say "ok, this chart is about x", then move on to the next one "this chart is about y".
Only after you've looked at all charts should you then say "ok, I'm going to go and get x insights now". So, look at each one quickly, then dive in deep one by one. You can ask the interviewer to go back and forth
2) Finish each chart one at a time, and write down key #s/takeaways. Remember, in any case you need to be writing down your insights and takeaways! Of course, you can ask the interviewer to go back to a previous one, but you need to learn which notes are important to take.
In terms of being able to interpret charts/graphs effectively
1) Read the title - and understand it
2) Read the legends - and understand them
3) Remind yourself of the objective / hypothesis in the case, to see where this might fit
4) Find the differences - where does the line graph plummet or spike? Which column is a lot smaller or bigger than the others? Where does change occur? The differences are what matter
5) Talk outloud while interpreting - first, it helps you think and process your thoughts, second, it lets the interviewer provide guidance and course correct if needed.
Best Rote Practice
Rocket Blocks: https://www.rocketblocks.me/
Best Practice Strategy
1) Read the Economist (especially the daily graph and Financial Time frequently
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/05/29/america-first
2) Ask case partners to focus particularly on your chart-reading skills (i.e. by providing you with cases with many charts) - Bain and Deloitte cases tend to be chart heavy
Hey there,
In case you get two exhibits at once in a Zoom call, the interviewer will most likely screenshare both at the same time. If not, you can ask to go back and forth. If you need to calculate with the numbers, they will leave it on the screen. The important thing here is not to get stressed out and take your time to complete your analysis.
You cannot use your phone or take any screenshots since they want to avoid people sharing cases online.
Cheers,
Florian
Hi there,
You may ask but they will probably say no to avoid that the case starts to circulate online.
If that’s not possible and you need information from both graphs, you can ask to switch between the different graphs or if the interviewer can show both at the same time, explaining the reason why you will need that.
Best,
Francesco
