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Impact during case studies

Arthur D Little Interviews
New answer on Oct 27, 2021
5 Answers
705 Views
Anonymous A asked on Oct 26, 2021

Dear all,

after starting interviews in different consulting companies I usually got feedback such as lack of impact and drive?

what does it mean? How can I have more impact and drive during my case studies?

best regards,

A

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Agrim
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 26, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting

Lack of impact

Lack of drive

  • You might NOT be leading the case with hypotheses or propositions to the solution. You might be floating around in the analysis while waiting for the interviewer to give you some direction. A good interviewee should be able to come up with not just the analysis and insights - but also come with an idea of how to proceed forward.
  • You may NOT be exploring multiple angles to the problem independently and autonomously. The interviewer might have had to poke you to explore around a bit more.
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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 26, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Impact & Drive could mean many different things. Here's some key areas to look at and deep dive into the one that you feel is a weak spot for you.

Confidence

Check out this helpful Q&A on this topic-https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/improving-confidence-11121

Interview Nerves

Check this out-https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/managing-anxiety-before-interviews-11039

Communication Style

Driving the case/Engaging Interviewer

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 27, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

That feedback would indeed make more sense if it was given to the FIT or behavioral prat, is this the case? If this feedback was given for the case, I agree that it sounds a bit random, like some words that they would throw generically at candidates…

It happens sometimes, and I agree that is very frustrating coz the only feedback that helps is the one that is actionable!

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

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Pedro
Expert
updated an answer on Oct 26, 2021
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

This means your analysis / recommendations are shallow and that your communication does convey low energy levels - this is likely to be about non-verbal communication.

The first one may be a lot of things - lack of structure, lack of business knowledge, lack of understanding the case interview dynamics. 

Regarding the second - low energy conveyed - is really difficult to tell you what and how to improve (posture, voice, facial expression, pace ?) without interacting with you in an interview simulation. The right advice depends on the specific issue, 

The good news is that this can be coached and can be learnt (consulting firms actually have trainings on this). I have helped several candidates improve on this specific issue, so feel free to reach out if you want specialized help. This is the kind of training that is useful not only for every type of interview (consulting and non-consulting), and in a day-to-day work setting, so you'll reap the benefits for life.

(edited)

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Ian
Expert
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replied on Oct 26, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

It sounds like you're not being objective-driven enough.

Fundamentally, a case is all about solving a given problem/opportunity. As such, anything and everything you do should be solely and completely focused on solving that problem.

Any question, insight, next step, etc. should be driving you towards the answer. If it's not, then it has no place!

Make sure you're truly answering the problem in every case. Make sure you're clear on both the primary objective (the case question) and the secondary objective (the client's goals, needs, wants, desires).

Quite honestly, it sounds like you could truly use coaching here - this is not an easy thing to unlock on one's own if you're not naturally doing it already.

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Agrim gave the best answer

Agrim

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