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Case interview for senior position

BCG
New answer on Dec 28, 2019
4 Answers
3.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 27, 2019

Hi all,

I'm currently in a mid level strategy manager position at a large blue chip. Former IB with 3 years of experience transferred to the industry with no layover in mgmt consulting. For my current positon I went through a 4 round interview process with ex McKinsey, now BMT and CLT level managers.

I was recently contacted by a (in my county smaller subsidiary of) an international competitor for a job to lead their strategy department in my country. First interview went well and they met my demands and we were aligned on much things regarding the job and the strategic agenda.

Now, I'm invited for a final round McKinsey style interview with 3 cases with CLT managers.

Is this really the standard? It seems odd to me, and I fear that I might position myself weak, if I accept this process. Or at least don't question it.

Can somebody enlighten me on this?

thx in advance - and happy holidays to all

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Anonymous replied on Dec 28, 2019

Hi there,

Since you are interviewing for the strategy deparment, I would say this is not uncommon to have case interviews, because the work scope and nature could be very similar to consulting. Even though I know some corporates don't follow as strictly, but nothing wrong when some do follow, esp when there are ex-consultants in the team. Personally I interviewed for some corporate strategy roles in the past when I graduate from my MBA and I went through case interviews as well. Now I am in a startup and even in this startup we do case interviews for strategy roles.

So in summary, I don't think there is any thing odd about it. Just get yourself familiar with the case interview and be prepared. Let me know if you'd like to have some help.

Cheers,

Emily

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 28, 2019
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Indeed the structure of the interviews is going to be the same.

The difference is going to be (i) the people who will interview you -of course, more senior and tenured in interviewing than for entry levels and (ii) the focus, that will be slightly more in FIT and the reasons that drive you to change.

If you want, contact me and I connect you with one of my latest candidates who is indeed interviewing for a McKinsey Engagement Manager position.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Inés on Dec 28, 2019

wrote u!

Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 27, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
the standard interview is structured in 3 parts:
- Personal Experience Interview: fit and CV questions to assess your personal impact, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial spirit
- Case Interview: typical business case to evaluate your structure in approaching problems, problem-solving skills, and business sense
- Your final questions to the interviewers

Feel free to text me for some detailed tips about the preparation. I have supported tens of experienced professionals in crafting impactful stories and structure business cases.

Hope it helps,
Antonello

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Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 28, 2019
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

Yes, it can be considered "standard". During last round senior managers usually want to know you as "person" before sending you the offer, especially if you are applying for a senior position that has to work with them.

These interviews are often more focused on the fit&questions part instead of the business case resolution.
Feel free to contact me if you want some hints on how to prepare these kind of interviews.

Best,
Luca

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