Hi there,

sounds like an unusual case indeed - it's fair to say that the candidate wasn't particularly lucky on this one. That said - instances like this will happen and please note that there are no rules and overly strict guidelines in terms of cases an interviewer can / cannot give. Accordingly, don't expect anything. 

At the end of the day, a case interview will always aim to test a candidate's ability to frame, analyze and solve problems in a structured manner, irrespective of case type, client context and industry. With that in mind, it's a good idea to always focus on the honing the skill, rather than banking on certain types of questions 

All the best. 

Regards, Andi

(editiert)

Hi there,

every interviewer you get was likely in a similar position as yourself some years prior - preparing for case interviews and practicing all the case material available. It is only natural that these consultants will now try to put a spin on the cases they give to new candidates rather than just go with the “standard stuff” that everyone is trying to memorize. 

At the end of the day, the case interview is supposed to test a candidate's ability to formulate and structure an approach to a problem, to derive a solution and to think on the spot.

There might always be some weird cases in the mix, so you need to roll with the punches and think from first principles when you get stuck. However, consulting firms don't design cases to deliberately let candidates fail. That would be a waste for everyone and if there is one thing consulting firms don't like it's wasting time and resources (which equates to money).

All the best

Hi!

First of all: this is not an unconventional case at all. It is in fact a classic diagnostic situation where the focus metric is not the usual boring case book stuff like “profits” or “revenue”. This is exactly the type of questions which interviewers at the top firms love to discuss with candidates - because it immediately shows whether the candidate has a sound method of solving problems, or whether he is just used to replicating lists and buckets (like >95% of candidates).

If you are applying the principles of running a proper diagnostic, the path towards this specific cause would probably be pretty straight forward. One of these principles is for example that you first understand and check the conceptual/numerical drivers of currency circulation, before asking qualitative questions. But this is just one of multiple important points I am teaching my mentees.

Cheers, Sidi

_______________________

Dr. Sidi Koné 

(Former Senior Engagement Manager and Interviewer at McKinsey | Former Senior Consultant and Interviewer at BCG)

Hi there,

It was not set up to reject her.

As us coaches here consistently try to warn you all, please do not go in expecting x and y.

These cases are designed to be unique, unseen before, and test your ABILITY TO REACT TO THE UNKNOWN.

I see nothing wrong with this case at all - in fact, it's a great one!

Look at all these other examples:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-are-some-of-the-most-unconventional-or-socalled-partner-level-cases-youve-seen-and-whats-the-approach-8107

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/unconventional-case-interview-how-to-improve-roas-14492

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/unconventional-case-designing-logistics-network-10767

And some unconventional cases to practice:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/yodaphone-195

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/advanced/mckinsey-digital-bcg-platinion-oil-gas-upstream-technology-196

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/roma-solutions-senior-expert-level-tech-case-240

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/cutting-carbs-divestiture-in-the-electrical-power-market-228

Hello,

This does seem like a somewhat unusual case, though it is fair play to have cases involving governments and public entities. If you get a weird case like this in an interview, the key is to stay calm and remember you are being tested on your analytical capabilities and logical reasoning, not your knowledge of currency mechanisms.