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Can I take notes with both black color pen and red color pen? I want to use red pen to highlight some of the important things. But I am not sure the interviewer will be happy with it (especially during virtual interview)
Can I take notes with both black color pen and red color pen? I want to use red pen to highlight some of the important things. But I am not sure the interviewer will be happy with it (especially during virtual interview)
I can't see any problem in a virtual interview (the interviewer won't probably even notice).
In a real one, it could look a bit strange to the interviewer but if it is useful for you I don't think there could be issues.
In terms of how to take notes, I would suggest to divide the first page into 4 parts as below:
top-left: who is the client
bottom left: initial information
top right: objectives
bottom right: structure
Landscape format in general works better. Sometimes you will have to go back and forth, as you may get information, objective 1, additional information, objective 2, etc.
The vertical line should be closer to the left border and the horizontal line should be closer to the top border so that there is more space for the structure.
After the first page, you can structure as below:
top-left: name of the first area analysed
bottom left: structure for the first area
top right: name of the second area analysed
bottom right: structure for the second area
The vertical line can now be in the middle so that the left and right parts have the same distance.
Besides that, you can also improve your notes with the following:
Ask the interviewer to repeat in case you missed information. It is better to ask for missing information upfront rather than later
Do a recap after the prompt. This ensures you took notes correctly since the interviewer will correct you otherwise
Use abbreviations. Eg, for revenues use R, for costs use C, for increase use an arrow directed up, etc.
Write down essential information only. You do not have time to write everything, thus you should exercise in writing down only the necessary information. If you have a client that produces steel which has four plants, with a revenue problem, your notes could be something as Steel producer, R (arrow down), 4 plants
Keep a separate sheet for math if you tend to be disorganized in that part
Hope this helps,
Francesco
Hi there,
I can't see any problem in a virtual interview (the interviewer won't probably even notice).
In a real one, it could look a bit strange to the interviewer but if it is useful for you I don't think there could be issues.
In terms of how to take notes, I would suggest to divide the first page into 4 parts as below:
top-left: who is the client
bottom left: initial information
top right: objectives
bottom right: structure
Landscape format in general works better. Sometimes you will have to go back and forth, as you may get information, objective 1, additional information, objective 2, etc.
The vertical line should be closer to the left border and the horizontal line should be closer to the top border so that there is more space for the structure.
After the first page, you can structure as below:
top-left: name of the first area analysed
bottom left: structure for the first area
top right: name of the second area analysed
bottom right: structure for the second area
The vertical line can now be in the middle so that the left and right parts have the same distance.
Besides that, you can also improve your notes with the following:
Ask the interviewer to repeat in case you missed information. It is better to ask for missing information upfront rather than later
Do a recap after the prompt. This ensures you took notes correctly since the interviewer will correct you otherwise
Use abbreviations. Eg, for revenues use R, for costs use C, for increase use an arrow directed up, etc.
Write down essential information only. You do not have time to write everything, thus you should exercise in writing down only the necessary information. If you have a client that produces steel which has four plants, with a revenue problem, your notes could be something as Steel producer, R (arrow down), 4 plants
Keep a separate sheet for math if you tend to be disorganized in that part
No problem with using another color. But don't overdo it - if you start juggling around with several pens it just becomes incredibly messy! What is much more powerful is to learn how to organize your notes "physically" within/across pages.
Cheers, Sidi
Hi!
No problem with using another color. But don't overdo it - if you start juggling around with several pens it just becomes incredibly messy! What is much more powerful is to learn how to organize your notes "physically" within/across pages.
Cheers, Sidi
what does "organize the notes 'physically' within/across pages? —
Anonymous A on Jul 28, 2020
Separate your structure (the roadmap of the case) from the essential information and calculatoin results and from your actual calculations/analyses. What usually works well is one page with the general logic/structure, and one page split between key information and analyses. —
Sidi on Jul 29, 2020
During a virtual interview, the interviewer is not going to notice the color of the pen you are using unless you are planning to show your notes. However, I think to jump between pens could potentially be a bit distracting. One option could be to use one of those multi-color ink pens where you can change the color at the flick of a button!
As Sidi says, just having a good structure on your notes is going to be more important.
-A
Hi,
During a virtual interview, the interviewer is not going to notice the color of the pen you are using unless you are planning to show your notes. However, I think to jump between pens could potentially be a bit distracting. One option could be to use one of those multi-color ink pens where you can change the color at the flick of a button!
As Sidi says, just having a good structure on your notes is going to be more important.
As Sid mentioned, the key to good note taking isn't color it is how you structure your page for note taking, Specifically how key numbers are written, whether you highlight answers, where you do workings vs where you carry over information etc.
I would be happy if someone took great notes!
As Sid mentioned, the key to good note taking isn't color it is how you structure your page for note taking, Specifically how key numbers are written, whether you highlight answers, where you do workings vs where you carry over information etc.
MBB Final Round Case - Smart EducationOur client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.
The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvantaged areas.
The client is considering starting operations for its services in the Chicago area. They hired us to understand if that makes sense. Due to the nonprofit regulation, SmartBridge should operate on its own in the market, without any partnership.
How would you help our client?
Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.
The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvant ... Open whole case
Espresso, Whatelse?Espresso Whatelse is an Italian company that produces coffee and espresso machines since 1908. It is the Italian market leader and has a strong presence overall in Europe. In 2019, Espresso Whatelse has increased its revenues but it has seen declining profit margin.
Your client wants to understand the root causes of this 2019 trend and how to increase its profit margin again.
Espresso Whatelse is an Italian company that produces coffee and espresso machines since 1908. It is the Italian market leader and has a strong presence overall in Europe. In 2019, Espresso Whatelse has increased its revenues but it has seen declining profit margin.
Your client wants to understand ... Open whole case
Hot WheelsProblem definition: Our client is Korean Car Parts (KCP), a multi-national original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of car parts based in Korea. They've recently seen a decline in profits and have brought us in to understand how to address this falling profitability.
Problem definition: Our client is Korean Car Parts (KCP), a multi-national original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of car parts based in Korea. They've recently seen a decline in profits and have brought us in to understand how to address this falling profitability.
Open whole case
McKinsey Digital / BCG Platinion: Oil & Gas Upstream Technology[PLEASE NOTE: This is a technically difficult case and should only be completed by those coming in as a Technology specialist, i.e. recruiting for McKinsey Digital, BCG Platinion, etc.]
Our client is a multinational oil and gas company. While they are vertically integrated and have upstream, midstream, and downstream divisions, they have recently been experiencing competitivity issues in the upstream gas division, which brings in $1B in profits annually.
Our client’s upstream division has offices in Australia and Indonesia. Their work is highly dependent on their IT systems, as they have to constantly monitor wells and pipes (pressure, hydrocarbon count, fluid makeup, etc.)
The upstream division has two large legacy IT systems that are primarily used for downstream operations but have been modified for upstream purposes.
These systems are managed by a central team in the US which is responsible for all IT issues across the business. They triage issues/enhancements and then manage development teams in India and Finland who complete the work.
[PLEASE NOTE: This is a technically difficult case and should only be completed by those coming in as a Technology specialist, i.e. recruiting for McKinsey Digital, BCG Platinion, etc.]
Our client is a multinational oil and gas company. While they are vertically integrated and have upstream, midstr ... Open whole case
Cutting Carbs - Divestiture in the Electrical Power MarketOur client is Energy England, one of northern England’s largest electric utility companies. They were created over the past decade through an aggressive series of mergers of existing utility companies each specializing in a single energy generation source.
Recently, the CEO has embarked on an initiative to return to the core of the business. She is looking to increase free cash flow and cash reserves in order to prepare the business for evolving future trends.
The following can be verbally provided to interviewee if asked:
Energy England is made up of assets across the energy-generation space. These include coal, gas, nuclear, and wind
We are looking to divest from just one of our previous acquisitions (i.e one target is sufficient)
There are no specific goals/metrics – the client trusts our judgement
Our client is Energy England, one of northern England’s largest electric utility companies. They were created over the past decade through an aggressive series of mergers of existing utility companies each specializing in a single energy generation source.
Recently, the CEO has embarked on an initi ... Open whole case