In a case interview, is it possible to be rejected for taking too much time to think (but you got all the answers right and had good structured thinking)?
For example, I feel that when I try to rush, I make more mistakes. For example, in 1 minute 30 seconds, I produce a weak framework. But in 2 minutes, I produce a strong MECE framework. If I maintain the 2-2:30 minutes time along with my accuracy, would this hurt me?
It is always better to take more time and get things right.
One small technique you could use to manage the impression of the interviewer is to provide a small update after 60-90 seconds e.g. “OK great I have detailed out what I think are the key elements, do you mind if I take an additional 60 seconds just to make sure I structure it correctly and have all the key elements there?”
Hi there,
Generally speaking, you don't get penalized for asking for and taking a reasonable amount of time to understand something - neither in interviewer-led cases (McKinsey) or candidate-led cases (other firms).
The question is just: what's a reasonable amount of time? For frameworks it could be 2 minutes, for a brainstorming questions 30-60 seconds, for graph reading 20 seconds, etc. However, it really depends on the interviewer and their preferences.
My advice is the following if you're struggling (using a the response to a structuring question as an example):
By doing the above, you show maturity through prioritization and communication skills and you make the whole interview very conversational, which is a big plus.
Depending on the situation, you'll have to use a different version of this approach but it generally works well for any situation that requires taking time!
Hope this helps! Best of luck!
Hi there,
It is better to be slow and right than fast and wrong.
Keep this in mind: You don't have a choice…take the time you need to have a strong answer.
Two quick points:
Hi there,
1) In a case interview, is it possible to be rejected for taking too much time to think (but you got all the answers right and had good structured thinking)?
I can’t see a scenario where the interviewer will reject you because you needed a bit of extra time.
The issue that you may have if you need a lot of time to structure is different.
If the interviewer thinks you had enough time, he/she may ask if you can present what you have. If your structure is then incomplete (because you didn’t have time to finish it), it may not be appropriate / MECE. And that could be a possible reason for a rejection.
2) If I maintain the 2-2:30 minutes time along with my accuracy, would this hurt me?
In general that's fine. Just be ready for the fact that the interviewer may ask you if you are ready and to present what you have if you take longer than what he/she expects.
In any case, if the alternative you have is a weak structure, you should take the additional time. Better to take a bit longer and have a better structure.
Hope this helps,
Francesco
Hi there,
Not at all.
What I always tell candidates is that the smallest thing you can do to instantly improve your performance is to take more time. Candidates are almost never rejected for taking too much time, but they are always rejected for being wrong.
So worry about quality, not speed.
Best,
Cristian
Hello!
It seems to me that you are already taking the right steps to become a master in tricky math questions, congrats :)
Unfortunately, the only non-original advise that I can give you here is: practice, practice, practice. Only by doing a bunch of those you would realize mistakes like the one you point out, and don´t do them again.
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hey there,
2 mins should be okay if it helps you formulate a better structure. I would still advise you to improve your timing through thoughtful practice that involves external feedback through coach or partners. Time is a constraint that a candidate is expected to work with. Typically the interviewer might have given an identical or similar case to potentially 50 other candidates and he is assessing your performance against the above average performers and determining how you stack up.
Hey there,
Definitely not!
In fact, I noticed that some of my clients who take more time to think, finish the case faster as their answers are more thought out and also communicated in a more succinct manner.
Stick to what works for you! :-)
Cheers,
Florian
Always take time. There are so many people who panic after 60 seconds and think that they will be automatically rejected because they took 61 seconds to structure. That is wrong. Especially at McKinsey, the emphasis is always on creating a strong structure with good foundations and this does take time. 3-5 mins is okay, in fact it is expected you take the time to come up with a structure as otherwise it is quite likely you are just applying standard framework to the problem.
