Structure

Question

Got feedback that I wasn't structured enough or had a clear outline of the problem. I felt I had clearly definted the problem, had a good structure throughout, and was connected the dots and consistently leading the case to the next part.

Would love to know how I can improve upon this? Just better structure on paper, so they can visibly see I'm being structured? Just the way I speak potentially? Any tips regarding this would be helpful!

Answer 1

Hi,

It's really hard to help you without knowing the details. My guess is that you just provided the initial structure but were not structuring continuously through the case.

Other than that, I would look at several areas to make sure I am structured:

1) Start with clarifying questions:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/clarifying-questions-1786#a3956

2) Communicating while structuring. Here is a long post by me on how to communicate the structure during the case study:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-communicate-its-structure-for-the-case-study-1313#a2806

3) Using hypothesis. I made a post about hypothesis here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-state-a-hypothesis-and-match-to-the-structure-1156#a2268

4) Communicating while making calculations:

Always tell the interviewer your approach
Check with the interviewer that your approach is correct
Come to the interviewer with some preliminary answers
Check your assumptions with the interviewer

5) Communicating during the analysis of graphs / tables

Take a minute to look at the graph. Read the graph title. Look at the graph type and define the type (pie chart, line chart, etc). Look at the legend (ask for clarifying questions if necessary). Identify whats going on on the graph. Look for: Trends, % structures. Look for unusual things - correlations, outliers,
Make 3-4 conclusions from the graph. Think out loud on potential hypothesis on what could be the root cause / what are the consequences
Prioritize the most important for your current analysis and move forward with the case

6) Communicating while having questions on creativity

Ask an interview for a minute to think
Think of several buckets of ideas (e.g. organic growth / non-organic growth / differentiation). Remember to think as big as possible
Narrow down to each bucket and generate as many ideas as possible
Present the structure (buckets) and then your ideas

7) Communicating your conclusion. You can find a good example I've posted here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-much-answer-first-should-the-conclusion-be-1231#a2493

8) Communicating your FIT stories

Use the top-down approach while communicating your stories. "The Pyramid Principle" is the must-read by ex McKinsey on this topic.

I recommend using the STAR framework:

In Situation, you should briefly provide the context, usually in 1 or 2 sentences
Task usually includes 2 or 3 sentences describing the problem and your objective.
Then you provide a list of specific actions you took to achieve the goal. It should take 1 or 2 sentences per action (Usually 3-4 actions). Note that the interviewer can stop you any minute and ask for more details.
The results part should have 1 or 2 sentences describing the outcomes. This part is finalizing your story - make sure it can impress the interviewer and stay in the memory.

Best!

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous,

Vlad is right. It is practically impossible to help your specific case here on the Q&A. I believe you need a session with an experienced expert who can run a diagnostic on you to then pinpoint what really lies behind that feedback. Everything else will be quite blurry and inefficient.

Cheers, Sidi

Answer 3

Hi Anonymous,

as mentioned by Vlad and Sidi, even if you structured at the beginning of the case, you could be perceived as lacking structure for a number of reasons; as an example:

Lack of structure during the case
Bad communication of the structure
Structure present but not MECE
Structure present but not connected to the right question/goal

It would be useful to have more information to properly understand the issue.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 4

Hi A,

It is difficult to give you useful advice when you did not provide all the details.

In fact, I agree with my colleagues, the problem could be anywhere - at the beginning, or while presenting the structure itself, or by making the conclusions. In such a situation I would recommend practicing as much as you can and increase the number of frameworks you can use and adjust to any question, or even think of hiring an experienced coach who might help you by pointing out your weaknesses fast and providing proper guidance.

Best,

André

Answer 5

Hi, here some tips and tricks as well as explanations of what the interviewer expects: 1. General Approach to Struc... (read entire answer)

Hi, here some tips and tricks as well as explanations of what the interviewer expects: 1. General Approach to Structuring a Problem Instead of relying on rigid structures, I e... (read entire answer)