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Is it a good sign if the interviewer skipped the case entirely?

Case Interview FIT Fit questions
New answer on Apr 04, 2021
8 Answers
1.6 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Apr 02, 2021

Hi all,

I just had a 2nd round interview that was supposed to consist of a fit portion and a case. However, the interviewer just exclusively focused on CV questions, and we even had a long discussion on my hobby. The only 'case' question was when he asked me to brainstorm the costs involved in a project on my CV. After the interview, he mentioned that since we did not have time to do a case, he will treat our discussion as the case.

I was wondering if this is a good sign (that I did well in the previous round so he deemed the case to not be necessary), or will this put me at a disadvantage?

Thank you! :)

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Franco
Expert
replied on Apr 03, 2021
Ex BCG Principal | INSEAD | 10 yrs in consulting | Interviewed >200 Career Switchers, MBAs, Undergrads in Europe and USA

Senior Partners often do that. They have already tested you inside-out in the previous rounds and if you showed a solid analytical mindset, you are very structure and with sharp business judgment, the Partners at the last round may just want to check your fit with the company culture. I know firsthand many Senior Partners that rarely do cases (despite still doing a lot of recruiting).

So, difficult to say without knowing you, but it could be a good sign.

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 04, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

That sounds as something a senior partner would do :)

The case part seems to have been covered in the cost questions.

Overall, I think it´s a good sign. However, that would mean you guys had an extraordinary fit, and you don´t mention that in your post. Do you think it was the case? In that case, it truly looks very promising.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 03, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

I had the same situation when I interviewed with Oliver Wyman – in one of my interviews I just had a chat with the MD where we discussed CV and interests.

In my case, it turned out to be good and in general it is a good sign (it seems you had mutually a good time), but it is not a guarantee of a pass.

Best,

Francesco

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Henning
Expert
replied on Apr 02, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

It's unusual, but it's probably a good sign. What might also happened is that the interviewer tested the same skills they would test in a case in a more conversational approach (e.g. through this investment case you mentioned)

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Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 02, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

That is a bit unusual. Was it a T2/3 or boutique firm?

Generally, I would not read too much into it. If the atmosphere and chemistry were good and the interview went well on the points and topics that were discussed it will definitely not be a negative data point in the interview process. :-)

Fingers crossed!

Cheers,

Florian

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 02, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I think it is a good sign. You already showed to previous interviewers you are good at solving cases. An hour of chatting will be enough for a partner to understand if you can be a consultant of the firm and I think you engaged him since the chat lost longer than usual

Best,
Antonello

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 02, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

The interviewer didnt skip it entirely, they just adapted it :). Dont read into it too much but fair to say you must have made an impression and landed good answers. Regardless, its not a done deal until you clear all rounds and get the contract, so keep humble and focus on giving your best.

All the best.

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 02, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I do try to avoid reading into things too much (especially as a 3rd party non-observer). However, this sounds like a good sign. It is what I would do if I had already made up my mind about the candidate.

Temper expectations, but seems promising.

Fingers crossed for you!

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