I completely understand the challenge you're facing when the case facts don't align with your initial assumptions. It's a common roadblock that many candidates encounter during case interviews. As a seasoned strategy consultant, I can provide you with some strategies and tips to help you overcome this issue.

Firstly, it's important to remember that flexibility and adaptability are key skills in consulting. Cases are designed to test your ability to think on your feet and adjust your approach when faced with new information. Embrace the unexpected and view it as an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills.

Here are some strategies to tackle this issue:

Stay calm and composed: When faced with new information that contradicts your assumptions, take a moment to collect your thoughts and maintain a calm demeanor. Panicking or becoming flustered will only hinder your ability to think clearly.

Ask clarifying questions: Seek clarification on the new information provided. This will help you gain a better understanding of the situation and potentially uncover additional insights that can guide your analysis.

Pause and reframe: Take a step back and reframe the case based on the new information. Adjust your initial assumptions and develop a new hypothesis or approach that aligns with the facts presented.

Use a structured approach: Lean on your case interview frameworks and problem-solving techniques to guide your analysis. Even if the facts have changed, the underlying principles and frameworks can still be applied to analyze the situation effectively.

Think critically and adapt: Analyze the new information critically and adapt your analysis accordingly. Consider the implications of the new facts on your initial hypotheses and adjust your line of thinking accordingly.

Communicate your thought process: Articulate your thinking process to the interviewer as you navigate through the case. Explain how the new information has influenced your analysis and demonstrate your ability to adapt and think critically.

Remember, practice is key. Continuously expose yourself to a variety of case scenarios, including ones that challenge your assumptions. This will help you build resilience and improve your ability to think on your feet.

I hope these strategies and tips help you tackle the issue of diverging case facts. Best of luck with your MBB interviews in December, and I'm confident that with practice and a flexible mindset, you'll excel in cracking the cases.

Hi there,

The issue may not just be related to you and I would suggest coaching at this point.

CONTEXT: There's two actors in a case i.e. interviewee and interviewer that we need to consider

• Interviewees often get stuck and/or need guidance to advance. This is not necessarily related to their skill level and is more related to how their way of thinking lines up with the case design. For example: you could have some really cool ideas that may, however, misalign with the case and lead you toward a dead end. This is not a problem! It only becomes problematic if you're drawing unreasonable conclusions or advance in random directions. In your case, let's assume it's not the latter.
• Interviewers are generally willing to provide the guidance you need to align your thinking with the case. They nudge you ever so slightly, or give a big push, depending on the situation. However, they don't generally leave you hanging. With peer interviews, you may not get this experience if they let you run into a wall.

BOTTOM-LINE: Work with a coach to see how the right dynamic with the interviewer can help you get unstuck. There's a reason why official interviewers undergo comprehensive training, like myself with McKinsey, and the lack of it shows in peer-coaching.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Need a senior McKinsey coach? See my profile in a nutshell
>> Need real McKinsey cases? See two real examples with Zero Carbon Mine (hard) & Car Convenience (Intermediate + brand new)

Get a coach. 

Needless to say, I'm not absolutely objective here, but this is exactly the reason why people get a coach. You don't have to commit to doing x sessions. Have only one to work specifically on this problem and see if it helps. 

Based on your description, it rather sounds like the issue is based on how you set up the framework of the case. You might be making it too hypothesis-driven and then you become too confused when your leading hypothesis turns out not to be true / or when the case leads in a drastically different direction. 

Unfortunately, I can't help more at this stage without knowing how it actually manifests in practice. The good thing is that these things are always ‘fixable’ - I haven't yet come across a situation when a candidate never managed to get over this sort of problem when they had support and the dedication to work on it. 

Best,
Cristian

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Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

Hi there,

Well, that's exactly the problem isn't it!

If a global firm in the real world has an issue, don't you think it's probably not just a simple assumption away from being resolved?

Think through what consultants really do and how complex the world is.

You need to approach cases as fluid/dynamic.

It's critical to have a strong framework AND adjustable framework in order to adjust as information comes in.

Remember, consultants aren't here to predict and answer and hope it comes true. They use a framework to weave through complex/bad data to figure out answers.

Please get coaching as this is a fundamental mindset shift and consulting skill required.

Here's some reading to help:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case
Watch BOTH videos in the cases in this article to see how I drive a case forward as info comes in:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/candidate-led-cases-what-to-expect-and-example-cases
 

Hi there,

This is a typical case to consider working with a coach to upgrade your case solving skills. You have plenty of great options in PrepLounge.

Best,

—

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Hi,

I agree with other experts: you can benefit from some coaching.
You can either spend a substantial amount of time searching in the blind on your own or get professional help in order to uncover and fix your sticking points pretty quickly.

Good luck!
Nick

(edited)

I’m afraid you need coaching at this stage. Also be careful with taking peer feedback unfiltered. Many unfortunately do not know what interviewers are really looking for. Ping me for a free coffee chat to give you some actionable advise. Warm regards, Frederic