Hello,
I am appearing for an interview with marketing and sales consulting firm for which I need to be prepared for a case interview round. Could you guys help me understand what do marketing and sales case interview questions look like and a structure to break down the problem to solve it.
Many thanks in advance.
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Well, if you're looking at an actual case interview, you should perpare just like for any other case interview. Just focus on top-line cases in specific, but the general process should be the same. Here's my typical recommendation for the preparation:
In my experience, you should be aiming at practicing 15-20 cases is, if you do it strategically. My recommendation is as follows:
The further you move towards the final interview, the more important it is to practice with experienced interviewers. While you can easily ask any friend or practice with peers for the first few cases, you should aim for qualified, professional feedback as you approach the finishing line.
However, keep in mind, that this requires a strong plan and strategic approach to the preparation. I regularly see people doing 30-40 or even more cases. While this can also lead to success, in my eyes, it is a bit of a waste of time, especially for experienced hires that often also have a regular job to do while preparing for the consulting interviews.
Let me know if this helps. I'm also happy to elaborate any of the above in more detail. DM me if you like.
Hi Aaina,
Agree with other coaches that you should prepare just like you would for any case. But please be aware of the subtle differences from hard core strategy consulting cases..the interviewer will test you on your ideas/solutions fair bit.
If you are looking for content help & cases on digital marketing/marketing, feel free to send me a note. I can walk you through marketing funnel, click metrics, conversion revenue etc.
Also have a look at this case I have published
Hi Adi, thanks for the reply. Do you have any example cases that I can look at. I do understand typical consulting cases, but wanted to know if I need to go through some other structures available for marketing cases specifically.
Hey there,
I'd get a basic overview of marketing and sales b-school frameworks so you are familiar with key concepts and terminology. And then stop there.
Cases could be set in a completely different context or about topics where no preconceived frameworks exist.
Be aware that frameworks were applicable in the 2000 years, the era of Victor Cheng and Case in Point. Firms have long caught up on this and the cases you will get during the interviews are tailored in a way to test your creativity and ability to generate insights, not remember specific frameworks.
In fact, it will hurt you when you try to use a framework on a case that calls for a completely different approach. Also, it gives a false sense of security that will translate to stress once you figure out how your approach won't work during the real interview - I have seen this so many times...
Your goal should be to learn how to build issue trees no matter the context, industry, or function of the case. I have a system that teaches you exactly this approach + a ton of exercises I give my coachees to progress their ability to come up with deep, broad, and insightful frameworks for each case individually.
Happy to help if needed!
Cheers,
Florian
Hi Florian, Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if you could share some sample case questions(marketing and sales) and the way you would approach it as well.
Hi Aaina,
Agree that you can basically prepare for any type of case.
Here are some that you might wanna take a look at:
For Beginner level:
Launching Caskets in North Africa - 1st Round BAIN case
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/beginner/launching-caskets-in-north-africa-1st-round-bain-case-225
Laundry Chain – Revenue Increase
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/beginner/laundry-chain-revenue-increase-215
For Intermediate level:
Grain Co-operative – Brand Launch
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/intermediate/grain-co-operative-brand-launch-217
Case with a twist: Chinese Alloy Wheels – US Market Entry
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/case-with-a-twist-chinese-alloy-wheels-us-market-entry-226
For Advanced level/the real one and used for final rounds:
Non-Profit Museum Revenue Increase
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/advanced/mbb-final-round-case-non-profit-museum-revenue-increase-219
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
GB
Hey Aiana,
You can search for marketing/sales cases here:
https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases
In terms of what to do, marketing/sales cases can be very very broad! If you give a specific case example, we can help. Or, if you ask for a specific case type we can also help.
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Added, please have a look.
Hello!
Even though being a marketing and sales company, you can find all sorts of case types. Furthermore, once you are a pro with the "normal" ones, is very easy to succed at a marketing one.
Hence, I would focus on:
1. Practice cases with partners asap, as many as you can do.Find experienced partners who can provide a good feedback
2. Practice your math skills, both in your cases and with ad hoc exercisess, such as:
1. Multiplying double digit numbers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndkkPZYJHo
2. Leveraging math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice
Furthermore, you should practice as much as you can, and ensure that you cover:
1. Profitability cases- basic profitability framework.
2. Idea generation cases: for any specif issue
3. Growth cases: market penetration, new product launch, product mix change, etc.
4. Pricing cases
5. M&A cases
6. Valuation cases
7. Value chain cases
Furthermore, don´t forget about FIT!
The "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
You can see plenty of reviews from candidates who purchased it already.
Furthermore, you can find 2 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:
Feel free to PM me for disccount codes, since we still have some left from the launch! :)
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hi Aaina,
The question was not posted, I would recommend to edit it and save it again.
Best,
Francesco
Added, please have a look.
