In person tips for case

Great question—congrats on making it to second rounds with Kearney!

In-person case interviews require a few key adjustments compared to virtual settings. Here are some tactical tips across the areas you mentioned:
 

1. Posture & Presence

• Sit up straight, slightly leaning forward—it shows engagement. Act like you’re in the room with a CEO — having presence and showing you can hold your own in those settings is an important thing to get across.
• Use open body language (avoid crossing arms or slouching) and gesturing (not excessive) — don’t force it if it’s not natural to you.
• Make steady but natural eye contact, especially when asking clarifying questions or presenting your thinking. People forget to look up sometimes. Don’t stare at your notes too long (unless your doing your framework / hard math) 
   

2. Handling Notes

• Bring a professional notebook or a note pad (in a folio). They’ll most likely have paper for you and collect it at the end but good to be prepared and have something to jot down notes during their intro and your questions at the end.
• Use one page for your initial structure and refer back to it clearly when navigating through the case.
• Keep your workspace neat—don’t shuffle pages too much or write too messily. Stay calm and methodical.
   

3. Attitude

• Treat the interview as a collaborative problem-solving session, not a performance. People tend to get caught up in leading the case and forget to leverage the interviewer as a resource.
• Be confident but coachable. If the interviewer nudges you, take it as a sign they want to see how you think under pressure. Don’t get defensive if your points are challenged. Approach it with curiosity.
• Smile and show energy—engagement goes a long way!

Last, arrive 10–15 minutes early and get comfortable with your surroundings so you’re mentally settled before it begins. 

If you need some last minute coaching on case and fit, I’m happy to find a time. 

Hi,

Congrats by securing a second round interview.

Find below my key tips:

• Hold good posture (and position with straight back), make eye contact, and speak with assurance—but stay humble and open to feedback or correction.

• Listen actively to the interviewer’s words, ask clarifying questions, and respond thoughtfully. Show you're collaborative and coachable.

• Consultants are also looking for someone they'd want to work with. Be polite, enthusiastic, and keep your smile during the entire interview.

Let me know if you want to do a mock case used at Kearney. I offer a coupon code for a first session.

Mattijs

Want to start strong? Connect first.

Make the most of your chance to connect with the interviewer as a person. Use the small talk upfront—be real, hold eye contact, sit up straight. It sets the tone.

Then, use your notes wisely. They’re not just scribbles—they’re your structure. Be extra organized so you can explain your thinking clearly and smoothly.

Best,

Alberto

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Explore my latest case inspired by a real MBB interview: Sierra Sprints - New Product Launch

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations!

Regarding your question, I believe good candidates usually convey respect, professionalism and confidence.

By respect I mean treating the interviewer with sobriety and formality. I have had colleagues that tried to be funny and break the ice and it sometimes may come across as trying too hard or being immature.

Regarding professionalism, that is specially reflected by the way you lead the case, having an objective communication, showing business sense and conveying calm. E.g.: if you make an error that is called out by the interviewer, stay composed and balanced, correct it and move on without making a big deal out of it.

Finally, confidence. It comes mainly from practice, meaning you know what you are doing because you have done your work. Besides that, posture and some positive self talk before the interview will help you. 

Fingers crossed, you’ve got this! Keep us posted :)

Best,

Mari

Hey, 

Congratulations for the next step and good luck! 

Personally, I find easier the in person interviews as it is easier to connect with the interviewer. 

A few tips: 

- Be there in advance - typically 10 minutes in fine
- Shake hand in a convinced way when you meet: this is important to make a good first impression 
- Look in the eyes when you speak: this is very important and helps you to connect
- Bring a notebook with you: write there the questions you have for the interviewer --> it demonstrates you prepared for the interview
- Take notes in an organised and clear way: the interviewers might look at them
- Sit straight: it shows confidence
- Be emphatic: smile, actively listen and nodge, engage with the interviewer


Good luck!! 

Hey there! 

The tips I normally give to my mentees are as the following: 

1. Posture: Sit upright, open posture, slight forward lean = engaged and confident. Avoid slouching or crossing arms.

2. Presence: Make steady eye contact, smile occasionally, and speak clearly. Mirror the interviewer’s tone and pace subtly (mimic but don’t exaggerate).

3. Notes: Use one sheet for structure, another for calculations. Keep them neat, write big and clear. Refer back visibly when summarizing.

4. Guide them: Point to your notes when explaining — “As you can see here...” — this keeps them visually engaged and shows structure.

5. Attitude: Be calm, curious, and collaborative. Think out loud, clarify assumptions, and show business judgment, not just logic.

=> let me know if you want to chat about it! :) happy to help! 

Alessa 

That's great. And it's even better that you're asking this question. 

In-person interviews can have a big advantage especially if you are comfortable around people, a good communicator and you have good emotional intelligence. 

Wear a suit. Risk being more formal than the interviewer, rather than less. 

Shake their hand. Look them in the eyes. Try to be relaxed and normal. Smile. 

Don't obsess about how clear your notes are, but if you can show them what you visualised. For instance, if you wrote down your structure, and you have an issue tree or some areas, turn the page to the interviewer and walk them through it. Even if it might not be perfect, it will still help them follow you. 

Say bye when you leave. Try to connect them the way you would connect with a friend. Ask questions. Show interest. 

Most things that go wrong in in-person interviews are because people get stressed and weird, not because there is something wrong with them.

Best,
Cristian