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Asking recruiters about case interview style

Case Interview
New answer on Jan 06, 2021
10 Answers
1.3 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 31, 2020

Hi,

Is it impolite/unacceptable to ask recruiters about what the content of the interview will be, e.g. interviewer-led vs candidate-led, only on the industries that office works in, different to previous rounds, etc.?

Thanks

Overview of answers

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 31, 2020
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Absolutely okay to ask such questions. Dont hesitate at all! They generally will give vague answers so make your questions specific to:

  • Length of interview (timing)
  • How many interviewers: one or more
  • Style- interviewer or interviewee led
  • Delivery format - via screen share etc
  • If you are interviewing for experienced hire roles, ask whether the case will be industry specific cases
  • Any prep material they can recommend (always ask and you maybe surprised they sometimes give sample cases to practice)
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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 02, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

Unless you have very specific questions you must have anwered for conducting the interview I recommend not asking them, especially the interviewer/candidate-led approach.

If you want to know more about this kind of information try to talk to someone who has been recently hired.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

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Anonymous replied on Jan 01, 2021

Hi,

I don't think it is a problem to clarify these things. It is important for you to understand and ensure your probability to success.

Best,
Iman

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 31, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

This is perfectly acceptable! It's reasonable to inquire as to the nature of the interview. They should provide you with guidance around length of interview, who is interviewing, and the style (i.e. fit, case (interviewer vs candidate-led), market sizing, etc.).

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 31, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Absolutely not - quite the opposite in fact. It is in your best interests to find out as much as possible prior to the interview

Udayan

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 02, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

As long as you ask the question well, nothing to worry about.

however, don´t give this too much importance - once ready for one, ready for the other-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Henning
Expert
replied on Jan 01, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

Of course! Most firms will provide at least a brief, general guidance on what type of cases you can expect. However, note that the personal style of each interviewer might swing into one direction or the other, so don't take everything you're being told as the one single truth to prepare for.

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Francesco
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Content Creator
replied on Jan 01, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

You can ask HR clarifying questions on the interview, however:

  1. If you are prepared for an interviewee-led approach you should be fine in any case for interviewer-led ones (the opposite is not necessarily true)
  2. It is unlikely they will share any information on the industries of the cases

Best,

Francesco

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Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 06, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Dear Anonymous,

As a general rule, consulting recruiters from top firms are some of the most professional and accomodating HR staff you will deal with in your career. Mostly really a pleasure to work with across firms.

That being said, whenever you have a question, shoot them an email or simply call them. The worst thing that could happen is that they won't tell you some specifics. However, everything around your application process, the format, the timelines, etc. is fair game.

Take care and all the best,

Florian

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 04, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hello there!

You definitely may feel free to ask clarifying questions regarding the interview:
the format, the style, the length etc.
Probably there is no need to ask whether it would be candidate- or interviewer-led, just be prepared for both outcomes.
And don't ask too many questions :)

Good luck!
GB

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