Why do so many fail in consulting and finance interviews? Simple: Lack of preparation. If you only practice on your own or always with the same people (e.g., your friends), you won’t get very far. A real interview is unpredictable – and your interviewer doesn’t know you.
You’ll make real progress only when you practice with like-minded peers preparing for interviews in the same industry as you and gather diverse feedback.
How to do this most effectively? Simple: Schedule mock interviews on PrepLounge! ✨
In this article, we’ll guide you step by step on how to make the most of your meetings – from the benefits to finding the right time, to the phases during the meeting and the feedback process afterward. Enjoy reading!
A meeting is a great way to prepare for a real interview. You simulate a consulting or finance interview with another person from the PrepLounge community via a video or audio call. In the first round, one of you takes the role of the interviewee, while the other plays the interviewer. Each round lasts about 45 minutes, after which you switch roles and continue! A meeting lasts about 90 minutes in total.
The best part? It’s super easy and straightforward! After the meeting, you give each other feedback so you know exactly what’s going well and where you can improve. So, why not give it a try?
Anyone! It doesn’t matter if you're just starting out or if you’ve already had a few interviews – mock interviews on PrepLounge are for everyone. Many other users are also beginners and, like you, still have plenty to learn.
4 Reasons Why You Don’t Need to Worry:
Tip: Familiarize yourself with the general flow of interviews in advance. Read our Case Interview Basics and solve some cases from our case library. Once you understand the general approach to cases, you can dive straight into the mock interviews.
So, go ahead – you’ll be surprised at how much fun it is and how quickly you progress! 😊
By conducting meetings with like-minded peers, you lay the foundation for your success in interviews. They not only help you improve your skills but also get you accustomed to the dynamics of real interviews. Here are the benefits of meetings:
On the Meeting Board, you’ll find numerous open meeting invitations – automatically adjusted to your time zone. You have two options:
Simply select the desired language, time, and date. Once someone accepts your invitation, you can get started right away – and work together on sharpening your interview skills! 💪
Looking for an interview partner who truly matches your needs and supports your personal goals? No problem – that’s exactly what our candidate listing is for! ✨🗂️
There you’ll find a list of all available interview partners. With search and filter functions, you can narrow down by industry, experience level, language, or availability. Once you’ve found someone who fits, just click on their profile and send an invitation via the “Propose Interview” button.
Tip: Feel free to add a few notes to your invitation – for example, what type of case you’d like to practice or what you want to focus on. That way, you can both prepare more effectively and get the most out of your meeting.
Your partner will receive a notification and can accept, decline, or suggest an alternative time.
You've scheduled a meeting – now it’s getting exciting! You’ll take on both roles – candidate and interviewer – and practice under realistic conditions. This way, you’ll not only learn how to crack cases but also understand what interviewers actually pay attention to. You have 90 minutes – 45 minutes per round. Here's an overview of the key features you should know:
We’ll now walk you through how your mock interview works – in four phases:
Before getting started, check a few important basics to make sure your meeting runs smoothly:
The first round begins – and the platform assigns roles automatically. In this example, you start as the candidate. For the next 45 minutes, the focus is all on you: your partner will share the case with all relevant materials you need.
After 45 minutes, it’s time to switch roles – now it’s your turn to lead the case as the interviewer. You’ll have access to the case prompt, possible exhibits, personal notes from us, and of course, the model solution.
Well done – you’ve completed both roles! If feedback wasn’t already exchanged after each round, now is the perfect time to do so. Take a few minutes to reflect honestly and constructively on your experience.
The answer is simple: feedback. After each meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to rate your interview partner – and they can do the same for you.
By giving feedback, you also encourage your partner to return the favor if they haven’t done so already. Most importantly: keep track of the feedback and suggestions you receive. This gives you valuable insights into your performance, helps you recognize your progress, and allows you to apply what you’ve learned in your next session.
Our tip: Use our Case Interview Basics to work specifically on areas where you want to improve. Whether it’s presentation and communication techniques, stating recommendations, or mastering specific case types – you’ll find everything you need to strengthen your skills.
Whether it's Consulting, Finance, or any other industry – if you want to impress in an interview, you should practice intensively with others beforehand. Mock interviews help you receive honest feedback, learn new ways of thinking, and get used to real interview situations.
With PrepLounge, all of this is made easy: You can find suitable partners, schedule meetings flexibly, and receive structured feedback – all in one place.
We hope this guide helps you feel well-prepared and confident as you head into your next meeting. Ready for your (next) mock interview? Then take a look at the Meeting Board to see if there are any open invitations! 📨
What exactly is a meeting on PrepLounge?
In a PrepLounge meeting, you and your interview partner simulate an interview from the consulting or finance sector. Everything takes place in our virtual meeting room. In the first round, you take on either the role of the candidate or the interviewer – then you switch roles. A meeting typically lasts 90 minutes, with 45 minutes per role. At the end, you give each other feedback and learn together.
Who can conduct meetings?
Everyone! It doesn’t matter if you’re just getting started or already solved some interviews – mock interviews on PrepLounge are for everyone. Many other users are also beginners and still have a lot to learn, just like you.
How much experience do I need for my first meeting?
You don’t need any prior experience for your first meeting. It’s totally fine if you’ve never solved a case before. Many users start exactly where you are and use PrepLounge to get familiar with the interview process. So don’t worry – you’re definitely not alone. What matters most is that you’re motivated to improve and that you’ve taken some time to understand the basic structure of case interviews. Everything else comes with practice – so go for it!
How can I prepare for a meeting?
Here are a few tips: Get familiar with how case interviews work in general, read our Case Interview Basics, and try working through a few cases in our Case Library. This will help you get a better feel for the process. As an interviewer, it’s a good idea to read through the case beforehand so you’re well-prepared and can guide your partner effectively. Also, think about what you want to focus on during the session – the clearer your goal, the more you’ll benefit.
Can I choose which case I want to practice?
At the start of your meeting, two cases from the Case Library will be suggested. After that, you’re free to choose from over 200 different cases that you and your partner can work on together. You’ll also see which cases you’ve both already done. Of course, you can bring your own case as well!
Do I have to turn on my camera during the meeting?
No, that’s not required! You’re welcome to keep your camera off if you’re more comfortable that way. Just make sure to check in with your interview partner beforehand so everything runs smoothly.
What if I get nervous or make mistakes?
Don’t worry – that’s totally okay! Feeling nervous and making mistakes is part of the learning process. That’s exactly what mock interviews are for. Your interview partner is probably just as nervous or has already been through the same phase. See mistakes as valuable learning opportunities that will help you get better.
How many meetings should I do before the real interview?
That depends on a few factors – your background, how quickly you improve, and who you practice with. But to give you a rough idea, here’s a tip from one of our experts: “Most candidates I’ve helped land top-tier jobs reached a solid level after around 30 mock interviews of 45 minutes each with experienced partners.”
How can I cancel or reschedule a meeting?
On your home screen, you’ll find your pending invitations and scheduled meetings. To reschedule, click the clock icon and choose a new time in the pop-up window. To cancel an invitation or meeting, just click the X icon – it’s super easy! Please try to cancel as early as possible and let your partner know in good time. Last-minute cancellations can affect your reliability.
