When applying to top consulting firms, one of the most crucial stages of the interview process is the case interview. This format is designed to assess your analytical competencies, problem-solving skills, and ability to think strategically under pressure. Let's take a look at what to expect.
A case interview is a 30-minute simulation of a typical business project that consultants may have worked on. Cases provide a real example of an on-the-job experience and the assumption is that if a candidate is successfully able to tackle a case interview, he or she is also more likely to be a successful management consultant.
Case studies are the most important and usually the longest part of consulting interviews. In addition to the case study, the interview typically includes introductory small talk, a personal fit interview, and closing questions (see the illustration below).
Many companies review and standardize their consulting cases prior to a real interview to ensure that the case is neither too difficult nor too easy. Companies also ensure that a variety of skills are tested during the interviews.
The Typical Flow of a Case Interview
The case interview typically follows a structured flow to ensure that both the interviewer and the candidate cover all necessary aspects of the business problem. It involves the following phases:
1. Case Presentation and Problem Understanding
To start off, the interviewer will present a specific business problem or scenario. This could range from market entry considerations, to profitability issues, or organizational changes. The problem is usually based on real-world business issues that the consulting firm dealt with in the past.
You are expected to listen carefully, take notes, and clarify any points that are not clear to fully understand the scope and context of the problem.
👉 To get a better feeling for possible case prompts, check out the following beginner cases.
Our client (FastFood Co) is a fast-food company that has > 20 restaurants in the city. Recently, the business has enc(...)
Our client (FastFood Co) is a fast-food company that has > 20 restaurants in the city. Recently, the business has encountered significant challenge(...)
I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sect(...)
I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sections: (1) a “drinking” section(...)
Afterwards, you outline a structured approach or framework to tackle the problem. Common frameworks include the SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, or the 4P's, with which you can structure your information. This step demonstrates your ability to break down complex issues into manageable parts.
However, keep in mind that it is not enough to simply memorize the standard framework concepts. While standard frameworks are useful for a rudimentary outline of a case problem, they need to be optimized and adapted to the individual case. Don't worry, as this is a skill you can develop, but it definitely requires thorough preparation and practice.
Once you have crafted your structure, clearly explain your framework to the interviewer, ensuring he or she understands your thought process and logical flow.
3. Analysis and Problem Solving
Next, you dive into the analysis. During the interview, your interviewer may provide additional data, charts or exhibits. Analyze this information to support your framework and build your argument. Formulate hypotheses based on your analysis and test them against the data provided. If needed, adjust your approach based on your new findings.
During the quantitative analysis, perform the necessary calculations to support your findings. This could include market sizing estimations, profitability calculations or a cost analysis. Good mental math skills will definitely help in this phase.
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Once you have worked through your structure, provide clear, and actionable recommendations based on your analysis. Use the Pyramid Principle of communication, highlight your key findings and explain how they address the problem.
You should also be ready to justify your suggestions with evidence from your analysis (i. e. data) and discuss possible next steps or further areas of investigation that the client may wish to consider.
After all, the interviewer may question your conclusions or ask for further clarification. Be prepared to defend your recommendations and discuss alternative perspectives.
After, all the best way to prepare for your interview is practice. Explore our Case Library with real examples now!
Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been strug(...)
Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been struggling with a decrease in profi(...)
Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilo(...)
Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilot on the Austrian market last(...)
Your client is the Government of Indonesia, specifically a joint committee formed between a few key ministries including(...)
Your client is the Government of Indonesia, specifically a joint committee formed between a few key ministries including the Ministry of Marine Affair(...)
You are part of the Strategy & Operations team at Revolut.Revolut has had significant growth over the past couple of(...)
You are part of the Strategy & Operations team at Revolut.Revolut has had significant growth over the past couple of years, with customer base gro(...)
FashionForward is a mid-sized, private-label fashion retailer headquartered in Europe with €600 million in annual revenu(...)
FashionForward is a mid-sized, private-label fashion retailer headquartered in Europe with €600 million in annual revenue. Its product portfolio inclu(...)
A chemical producer is a major manufacturer of chemical products used to preserve foods in containers. The company has s(...)
A chemical producer is a major manufacturer of chemical products used to preserve foods in containers. The company has seen an increase in market shar(...)
Cruise company German Sea Tours (GST) is a successful operator of international cruises. GST currently offers several cr(...)
Cruise company German Sea Tours (GST) is a successful operator of international cruises. GST currently offers several cruise trips, lasting between 5(...)
Your client is a leading retail coffee chain. They are present in several countries globally and are a popular brand in(...)
Your client is a leading retail coffee chain. They are present in several countries globally and are a popular brand in most of the markets that they(...)
Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years(...)
Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years as a result of an expansion o(...)
Our client is Top Apparel. They own a portfolio of 15 brands of fashion. Historic growth has been in line with the marke(...)
Our client is Top Apparel. They own a portfolio of 15 brands of fashion. Historic growth has been in line with the market and the company is making go(...)
A manufacturer of tires in Laos has had a monopoly in the market for years due to high tariff on imports. If foreign pro(...)
A manufacturer of tires in Laos has had a monopoly in the market for years due to high tariff on imports. If foreign producers wanted to import tires,(...)
A major juice producer sells packaged fruit juice to retail outlets. Normally, the juice is packed and sold in 16-ounce(...)
A major juice producer sells packaged fruit juice to retail outlets. Normally, the juice is packed and sold in 16-ounce carton containers, but recentl(...)
Our client is a German-owned water provider company based in the southwest of the United States. As the biggest water pr(...)
Our client is a German-owned water provider company based in the southwest of the United States. As the biggest water provider in the region, they ser(...)
Intermediate Accounting Interview Questions for Finance
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Difficulty: Intermediate
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This set of questions is designed to help you master the core concepts around the three financial statements. The diffic(...)
This set of questions is designed to help you master the core concepts around the three financial statements. The difficulty ranges from beginner to a(...)
Your client is the CEO of a publishing company that publishes an educational magazine and a women's magazine.Although bo(...)
Your client is the CEO of a publishing company that publishes an educational magazine and a women's magazine.Although both businesses are profitable,(...)
Mastering the case interview is a crucial step in securing a consulting job. To perform well, you need to demonstrate structured thinking, analytical skills, and clear communication while solving a real-world business problem.
The interview typically follows a structured flow, starting with an introduction and resume discussion, followed by the case presentation, where you clarify the problem and outline a logical framework. From there, you analyze data, test hypotheses, and apply quantitative skills to arrive at well-supported recommendations. Finally, you summarize your findings and engage in a discussion to defend your approach.
Success in case interviews comes down to practice. Familiarizing yourself with common frameworks is useful, but true preparation involves adapting them to different cases, improving your problem-solving speed, and refining your communication. By structuring your thoughts clearly, staying flexible in your approach, and confidently presenting your findings, you’ll increase your chances of impressing your interviewer and landing an offer at a top consulting firm. 🚀
Let's Move On With the Next Articles:
The Personal Fit Interview
Basics of Case Interviews
The personal fit interview is a crucial part of the selection process in consulting. It’s often underestimated by candidates who tend to focus on the challenging case interviews only. But the personal fit interview is just as important! It’s all about determining if you’ll fit well within the team and align with the company culture. Read this article to find out why the personal fit interview matters so much and how to prepare effectively.
Consulting interviews are not just about your skills and knowledge — companies also want to see how well you align with their culture and values, often called "personal fit". This part of the interview is your chance to show you’re a natural addition to the team.Here’s a look at three common personal fit questions and some tips on how to answer them confidently and thoughtfully.
Every case interview has a certain structure. An important factor on how your case interview is going to proceed is if the interview is interviewer-led or candidate-led.We’d like to explain the two interview formats – candidate-led cases and interviewer-led cases – highlight their differences, and provide you with tips on how to excel in each of them.
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