Hello,
Your paper should look like this:
You have the following parts:
On top of this, you should use a separate sheet for your calculation, to keep this sheet clean and clear.
Feel free to text me if you want to discuss this further in details.
Best,
Luca
Hi there,
I would suggest to divide the first page in 4 parts as below:
Landscape format in general works better. Sometimes you will have to go back and forth, as you may get information, objective 1, additional information, objective 2, etc.
The vertical line should be closer to the left border and the horizontal line should be closer to the top border, so that there is more space for the structure.
After the first page, you can structure as below:
The vertical line can now be in the middle so that the left and right parts have the same distance.
Besides that, you can also improve your notes with the following:
Hope this helps,
Francesco
(edited)
Dear A,
During the case interview you will be given sheet for taking note. Designate each sheet to each specialized task.
The data sheet is where you note down neatly and ideally in a table format all information, data, provided by the interviewer throughout the case. If you have additional data as the result of analyses or calculations performed, put them into the data sheet too.
The presentation sheet is literally what you use when speaking to interviewers. For example, if you say: “… problem A can be broken down into B and C”, literally draw those on this sheet and point to each one as you speak.
Lastly, the scratch paper is there for anything else you need to write out in interviews’ brainstorm ideas, calculations, etc. The purpose of this sheet is to make the other two clear and neat. So you don’t have to worry too much about what you write here on this scratch paper.
Also, below some general recommendation on how to take notes:
Write down all the important information. You can use abbreviations
Client name
Industry
Geography
Current situation
Goal/objective:
And for your analysis put the name of area you supposed to analysed and it structure
Name of the first area analysed
Structure for the first area
Name of the second area analysed
Structure for the second area
Hope it helps,
Best,
André
Hi,
I recommend the following approach- split the main sheet into 2 parts and then the left part into 2 quadrants:
Also, a good practice is to put the key numbers near the corresponding buckets.
! Have a separate sheet for math calculations!
It's also important:
All in all - having clear and organized notes have many pros while unclear notes can easily lead to failure.
Best!
Hi Anonymous,
There is already more than enough content-advice, and as you can see by now there is no single right or wrong method - don't overcomplice it and just choose a way with which you feel comfortable naturally!
Looking at your question more from a interview-prep process-related point of view, try to find "your" method as early as possible and stick to it. Switching between methods later is usually more a waste of time and confuses candidates finally more than it helps.
Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!
Robert
Hi Anonymous,
The most important thing is to develop a system that works for you and how you want to approach it.
Personally, I would do the following:
- Have one sheet for the basic information about the case and your structure (Basic case info and your objective/client's ask on one side and on the other side you write out your structure)
- Have separate sheets for calculations
- Only use one side of the paper for calculations and number them to more easily keep track of the information
- You can add key numbers / conclusions to your "basic information/structure sheet" as you move along
- Circle back to your basic information sheet when you need to refer to your structure or draw conclusions
-A
(edited)
Hello,
Some very simple advice
Best
Hi there,
Simple tips:
No need to use full words - use abbreviations and symbols (the notes are for you, not for the interviewer)
Keep your notepad clean: 1 area for the prompt - 1 area for structuring and solving the case -1 area as "scratch paper" to run calculations
Best of luck in the process
Khaled
Hi, my most favorite tips are: using a separate sheet for calculations, write only on front side of every sheet, circle important numbers, and insights, draw a line to separate every part of interviewer-led cases, use issue trees for initial structure and initial formulas for market sizings.
Best,
Antonello
Some tips that have helped others I coach
1. Always use grid paper
2. Divide your sheet into sections - separate out calculations from notes
3. Underline important facts and answers
4. Highlight important answers so you can refer to them easily
5. Use your own shorthand when you can
Best,
Udayan
Hi there,
Feel free to message me - I have a casing template that helps you nail interviews.
I can't reveal everything, but some teasers are:
1) A seperate sheet for each "portion" of the case...with clear locations + methods for title/subject, notes, calculations, takeaways, etc.
2) Figuring out a location for everything and where each information type should go
3) Seperate sheet for math calculations
There's much much more, but you get the gist!
Hello!
To add on top what´s been said, keep in mind that now with the online method this is less important than before.
If you find a method that works for you, even if it´s not the tidiest thing, won´t be prio1 anymore, since interviewers won´t see it anymore.
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hi A!
Note taking is of course a critical piece of a strong case delivery, so it will pay off to practice this early on in your preparation.
Whatever system you chose (and practice), it needs to fulfill 3 main purposes:
There are certainly many different styles of note taking that provide these three functions, so you should find our which one works for you and enables you to focus on the case execution, rather than the note taking. Keep in mind that you should practice this system early on in your journey, so you are comfortable with this method when you go into the interviews.
Find below a screenshot of the notetaking system that works for me personally. In this system, I first draw one vertical and one horizontal line. Then I use the column on the left side to take the initial notes during the case prompt and clarifying questions. Then I write down the key question of the case in the top row and develop the framework in the main area on the page.
During the case, I scribble less important stuff on separate pages (e.g. notes during the quant part). However, I will write down the key insights of each branch of the framework at the bottom of my main page. That way, when I get to the recommendation, I can simply read the notes from left to right to have the supporting arguments for the case recommendation.