I am not always nice, but always honest (as the interviewers). I have cases focused on all-round abilities of the candidates. I am suprising candidates with unexpected questions and analyses and putting them under pressure. Beside standard consulting cases, we can do PE like cases as well.
My suggestion is to spent 20 mins on the general background questions and 40 mins on the cases.
- General background part is important, because if the interviewer likes you, he/she will help you during the case. To pass it, get ready to explain something very interesting or extraordinary that you did in the past. During our time, lets spent few mins on your CV and on your extraordinary achievement.
- In case studies, a lot of candidates are doing mistake of trying to remember all the frameworks, but what the interviewers really want to see is the common sence. When I received my first case in the interview, I suddenly felt it was something that does not fit what I was preparing for, but was still able to solve it because it was an interesting business example and I was eager to get to know the result. Last but not least, we will practise some math during the case, which is a killer to some people.
In order to pass the interview and actually like the job, it is necessary to have fun in the cases and appreciate the problem solving.
Life of the top consultant is great, opens door to many places and is worth it. Work hard to experience it !!!