When applying to top consulting firms, one of the most crucial stages of the interview process is the case interview. This format is designed to assess your analytical competencies, problem-solving skills, and ability to think strategically under pressure. Let's take a look at what to expect.
A case interview is a 30-minute simulation of a typical business project that consultants may have worked on. Cases provide a real example of an on-the-job experience and the assumption is that if a candidate is successfully able to tackle a case interview, he or she is also more likely to be a successful management consultant.
Case studies are the most important and usually the longest part of consulting interviews. In addition to the case study, the interview typically includes introductory small talk, a personal fit interview, and closing questions (see the illustration below).
Many companies review and standardize their consulting cases prior to a real interview to ensure that the case is neither too difficult nor too easy. Companies also ensure that a variety of skills are tested during the interviews.
The Typical Flow of a Case Interview
The case interview typically follows a structured flow to ensure that both the interviewer and the candidate cover all necessary aspects of the business problem. It involves the following phases:
1. Case Presentation and Problem Understanding
To start off, the interviewer will present a specific business problem or scenario. This could range from market entry considerations, to profitability issues, or organizational changes. The problem is usually based on real-world business issues that the consulting firm dealt with in the past.
You are expected to listen carefully, take notes, and clarify any points that are not clear to fully understand the scope and context of the problem.
👉 To get a better feeling for possible case prompts, check out the following beginner cases.
Case by
PrepLounge
DHL Consulting case: Bike Shop
4.4
90.1k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
Profitability analysis
+ 1 more
+ #count# more
You have been hired to support the owner of a bike-shop as a business consultant. The bike-shop has suffered a sign(...)
You have been hired to support the owner of a bike-shop as a business consultant. The bike-shop has suffered a significant revenue decline during(...)
Our client (FastFood Co) is a fast-food company that has > 20 restaurants in the city. Recently, the business has enc(...)
Our client (FastFood Co) is a fast-food company that has > 20 restaurants in the city. Recently, the business has encountered significant challenge(...)
I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sect(...)
I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sections: (1) a “drinking” section(...)
Afterwards, you outline a structured approach or framework to tackle the problem. Common frameworks include the SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, or the 4P's, with which you can structure your information. This step demonstrates your ability to break down complex issues into manageable parts.
However, keep in mind that it is not enough to simply memorize the standard framework concepts. While standard frameworks are useful for a rudimentary outline of a case problem, they need to be optimized and adapted to the individual case. Don't worry, as this is a skill you can develop, but it definitely requires thorough preparation and practice.
Once you have crafted your structure, clearly explain your framework to the interviewer, ensuring he or she understands your thought process and logical flow.
3. Analysis and Problem Solving
Next, you dive into the analysis. During the interview, your interviewer may provide additional data, charts or exhibits. Analyze this information to support your framework and build your argument. Formulate hypotheses based on your analysis and test them against the data provided. If needed, adjust your approach based on your new findings.
During the quantitative analysis, perform the necessary calculations to support your findings. This could include market sizing estimations, profitability calculations or a cost analysis. Good mental math skills will definitely help in this phase.
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Once you have worked through your structure, provide clear, and actionable recommendations based on your analysis. Use the Pyramid Principle of communication, highlight your key findings and explain how they address the problem.
You should also be ready to justify your suggestions with evidence from your analysis (i. e. data) and discuss possible next steps or further areas of investigation that the client may wish to consider.
After all, the interviewer may question your conclusions or ask for further clarification. Be prepared to defend your recommendations and discuss alternative perspectives.
After, all the best way to prepare for your interview is practice. Explore our Case Library with real examples now!
Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years(...)
Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years as a result of an expansion o(...)
Dubai Airport has decided to counter the chaos in the airport taxi service by commencing a bidding process to assign air(...)
Dubai Airport has decided to counter the chaos in the airport taxi service by commencing a bidding process to assign airport taxi services to 3 operat(...)
Energy Sector Valuation & Interview Questions for Finance
5.0
< 100 times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Mergers & Acquisition
+ 1 more
+ #count# more
Valuing energy and natural resources companies is very different from other industries. Commodity price swings, capital(...)
Valuing energy and natural resources companies is very different from other industries. Commodity price swings, capital intensity, and the role of res(...)
Your client is a big financial services company in Germany that just implemented a Client Relationship Management (CRM)(...)
Your client is a big financial services company in Germany that just implemented a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system. Its intention is to pr(...)
Your client, BusCo, is a passenger bus company in Uganda, Africa. Due to the poor road conditions, maintenance plays a v(...)
Your client, BusCo, is a passenger bus company in Uganda, Africa. Due to the poor road conditions, maintenance plays a very important role in the reli(...)
The client is an Indonesian producer of paper boards which can be further processed into paper boxes, shopping bags, etc(...)
The client is an Indonesian producer of paper boards which can be further processed into paper boxes, shopping bags, etc. They sell in both their dome(...)
Your client is the government of a region in southern Spain. Situated in this region are the country’s main tourist loca(...)
Your client is the government of a region in southern Spain. Situated in this region are the country’s main tourist locations, mostly beaches.The gove(...)
Our client is Yoda's Phones, a national telecommunications company. They have embarked on a three-year, multi-million do(...)
Our client is Yoda's Phones, a national telecommunications company. They have embarked on a three-year, multi-million dollar digitization program. Unf(...)
Your client, Customlope, is the leader in the US secure envelope manufacturing industry. Banks buy these envelopes for o(...)
Your client, Customlope, is the leader in the US secure envelope manufacturing industry. Banks buy these envelopes for operations such as money deposi(...)
Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilo(...)
Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilot on the Austrian market last(...)
Our client is the US-based biotech company Top Chemicals. They have just developed a fertilizer that is waiting to get a(...)
Our client is the US-based biotech company Top Chemicals. They have just developed a fertilizer that is waiting to get approval for commercialization.(...)
Hara Coffee Co's innovative coffee subscription model
3.5
1.5k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Competitive response
Growth strategy
Market entry
New product
Profitability analysis
Sustainability
+ 1 more
+ #count# more
Our client, Hara Coffee Company, is a large coffee chain with over 200 locations in the United Kingdom. They import bean(...)
Our client, Hara Coffee Company, is a large coffee chain with over 200 locations in the United Kingdom. They import beans from numerous regions and ba(...)
Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been strug(...)
Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been struggling with a decrease in profi(...)
Note: If you have not already done so, first work through the 1st part of this case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/manag(...)
Note: If you have not already done so, first work through the 1st part of this case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candida(...)
OC&C Strategy Consultants Case: Expansion einer Schmuck Agentur in China
4.6
20.0k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Market entry
Profitability analysis
+ 1 more
+ #count# more
Unser Kunde, Schmuck Agentur, ist ein führender europäischer Fachhändler für Accessoires und Schmuck. Der Kunde ist derz(...)
Unser Kunde, Schmuck Agentur, ist ein führender europäischer Fachhändler für Accessoires und Schmuck. Der Kunde ist derzeit nur in Europa aktiv und ve(...)
BearingPoint Case: Nachhaltigkeit on the Road – Potenziale der Kreislaufwirtschaft für den Automobilhersteller
5.0
9.0k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Operations strategy
Profitability analysis
+ 1 more
+ #count# more
Der Automobilhersteller YourCars denkt zunehmend darüber nach, wie er seine Kosten senken und gleichzeitig seinen ökolog(...)
Der Automobilhersteller YourCars denkt zunehmend darüber nach, wie er seine Kosten senken und gleichzeitig seinen ökologischen Fußabdruck minimieren k(...)
Mastering the case interview is a crucial step in securing a consulting job. To perform well, you need to demonstrate structured thinking, analytical skills, and clear communication while solving a real-world business problem.
The interview typically follows a structured flow, starting with an introduction and resume discussion, followed by the case presentation, where you clarify the problem and outline a logical framework. From there, you analyze data, test hypotheses, and apply quantitative skills to arrive at well-supported recommendations. Finally, you summarize your findings and engage in a discussion to defend your approach.
Success in case interviews comes down to practice. Familiarizing yourself with common frameworks is useful, but true preparation involves adapting them to different cases, improving your problem-solving speed, and refining your communication. By structuring your thoughts clearly, staying flexible in your approach, and confidently presenting your findings, you’ll increase your chances of impressing your interviewer and landing an offer at a top consulting firm. 🚀
Let's Move On With the Next Articles:
The Personal Fit Interview
General Info: Your Starting Point for the Case Interview Preparation
The personal fit interview is a crucial part of the selection process in consulting. It’s often underestimated by candidates who tend to focus on the challenging case interviews only. But the personal fit interview is just as important! It’s all about determining if you’ll fit well within the team and align with the company culture. Read this article to find out why the personal fit interview matters so much and how to prepare effectively.
General Info: Your Starting Point for the Case Interview Preparation
Consulting interviews are not just about your skills and knowledge — companies also want to see how well you align with their culture and values, often called "personal fit". This part of the interview is your chance to show you’re a natural addition to the team.Here’s a look at three common personal fit questions and some tips on how to answer them confidently and thoughtfully.
General Info: Your Starting Point for the Case Interview Preparation
Every case interview has a certain structure. An important factor on how your case interview is going to proceed is if the interview is interviewer-led or candidate-led.We’d like to explain the two interview formats – candidate-led cases and interviewer-led cases – highlight their differences, and provide you with tips on how to excel in each of them.
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