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Partner level case question?

caselevel
New answer on Jun 15, 2020
10 Answers
1.2 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 12, 2020

Hello, I hope everyone is safe and well. I came across a case that says it was "done at the partner level". Does this mean it was a case done in an interview with a partner or for someone who is applying for the partner position? I just wanted to make sure I understood the difficulty of the case. Thanks in advance!

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Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 15, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

I am quite sure they were referring to the fact you will be interviewed by a partner for the final round.
Final rounds follow exactly the same structure of the other rounds: Fit interview, Business case and Q&A session. There are only some little but important differences that you have to consider for each part:

  • Fit interview has a crucial role and it will be likely longer and more intensive than the previous ones. Partners want to know you and your personality, to understand if you can have a good fit with your role. It could also happen to have an interviewer challenging your answers to standard question (e.g. why McKinsey) or even to have a stress interview, be prepared for it
  • Business case are usually less strucutred. Partners often take inspiration from past projects and the cases could sound a bit less "academic". You have to get used to these cases, without many data or exhibits and more focused on a brainstorming of ideas

Feel free to text me if you have any further question.
Best,
Luca

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Clara
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replied on Jun 14, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It means that belongs to the final round -2nd round in most cases-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Robert
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replied on Jun 12, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonmyous,

Most likely this was referring to given in a case interview with a partner interviewing you.

I coached 2 partners of a tier-2 boutique consulting firm in Europe for transferring to McKinsey partner-level position. This process consisted of 16 interviews spread over several months, and the typical case interview as you know it is not even part of the recruiting process.

Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button!

Robert

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Anonymous A on Jun 12, 2020

That makes sense. Thank you!

Antonello
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replied on Jun 13, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, the interview process is usually divided into 2 rounds: in the 1st one (1 to 3 interviews) you will be assessed by engagement mangers and if you succeed it you go to the final round, where 2-3 partners are going to evaluate you through fit part (it will be very important at this stage) and business cases (sometimes harder than 1st round, but it depends on the firm)

Best,
Antonello

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Francesco
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replied on Jun 13, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

it very likely means a final round case, where normally you interview with partners. Very few people interview for a partner position from one company to another.

Best,

Francesco

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Anonymous replied on Jun 13, 2020

Hi,

It means final round, partner interview.

Best,

André

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Axel
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 13, 2020
Bain Consultant | Interviewer for 3 years at Bain |Passionate about coaching |I will make you a case interview Rockstar

Hi,

As mentioned this just means its a final round case conducted by a partner. The final round cases generally come in two forms, either a standard case interview or a much more open-ended discussion around a business problem.

-A

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Anonymous replied on Jun 12, 2020

Hi,

Could you provide more details on the context ?

I would assure interviews done by partners (last round generally)

David

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Anonymous A on Jun 12, 2020

It was a standard investment case. Nothing too difficult in terms of quant but had a lot of ambiguous qualitative questions. Seems like a final round case

Ian
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Content Creator
updated an answer on Jul 01, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Means a Partner interviewing, i.e. (generally) a final round. It's indicating that it's a harder case!

(edited)

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Anonymous A on Jun 12, 2020

Thanks! It was definitely a harder case.

Anonymous replied on Jun 12, 2020

Hi there,

Most probably it means that the difficulty level is equivalent to a final interview.

Best of luck

Khaled

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Anonymous A on Jun 12, 2020

Thought so, it didn't seem appropriate for a case with a partner.

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