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How to best utilize the opportunity to engage with case buddy

Hi there, 

McKinsey assigned a case buddy/coach to be prior to my first round interviews, any advice how i can best utilize the short 20 minutes with him/her? I was asked to prepare in advance the meeting agenda. How helpful the case buddy could be? 

Thanks!

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Top answer
Clara
Coach
on Aug 24, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I used to do precisely this back in the day in McK!

Is a super risk free enviroment, they will never talk to HR what you guys commented. 

Take advantage to use this person as you would use a PrepL coach: asking doubts, coaching... depends on where you stand and what your concerns are, I don´t think there is generic advise here. 

Hope it helps! 

Cheers, 

Clara

Ian
Coach
on Aug 23, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

This is great!

So, you absolutely need to drive the meeting forward yourself.

I agree that it would be good to approach the conversation telling them your plan and asking for feedback. I would also advise that, when you decide to get a mock case with them, you are already 100% prepared - you should aim to impress them throughout the entire process...not use them like you might a coach :)

Udayan
Coach
on Aug 23, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hi,

Depending on the person, case buddies can be a great resource. There are a few ways to do this

  • My preferred approach is as follows - ask them if they can ask you a structuring question, once they do - give them your answer and ask for feedback. This way you can get direct feedback on areas to work on. Ask them if they would be willing to do this again and schedule a follow up call to see your progress
  • Alternative approach - prepare 3 questions with regards to the casing process that you are keen to get answers to (e.g., resources for preparing, tips, what to do if you get stuck during a case etc.) and use their answers to help you prepare

All the best!

Udayan

on Aug 31, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I would ask for a case. Expert feedbacks provided by consultants or coaches are extremely useful to boost your preparation

Best,
Antonello

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