Hi, I have BCG final round as an advanced degree candidate by the end of this month. I have two questions: a) What are some tips for a zoom case interview? There will be two back-to-back zoom interviews with each having a fit and a case component. b) What is the best way to prepare in two weeks time frame? I don't have a tonne of money to spend on coaches as I am a PhD student on a stipend.
BCG Final Round over Zoom
Hi there,
Reach out - I have written a free guide on Online Interviews in Consulting.
Generally, the typical guidelines apply:
- Structure and streamlined communication become more important than in a live-interview setting
- Minimize distractions in your environment
- Have a stable internet connection and a backup available (tech issues can completely derail your performance as they add on top of the interview stress)
- Make sure you have enough pens and paper ready for your notes. Organize this beforehand
- Pay attention to your body language and try to create rapport with the interviewer
- Listen carefully to the information they share with you and play back all the details to avoid misunderstandings
- For the rest, it's pretty similar to the normal case prep and in-person interviews
All the best,
Florian
Hello there,
Congrats on the interview invitation!
Expectations in a case interview over zoom are pretty consistent with those for an in-person case interview i.e., structured problem-solving, math & data analysis skills, communication skills, creativity, and business sense. Same logic applies to the fit interview - just prepare as you would for an in-person interview.
The major difference I would say is that you need to be able to clearly explain your thought process at every step during the case since your interviewer cannot see the framework/issue tree/calculations/etc on your paper. Also, you need to be adept at projecting executive presence over a video call.
For the 2 weeks you have, it is hard to give non-generic advice without knowing your specific situation i.e., experience level, strengths, and weaknesses. Generally speaking, you need to assess your current level with an experienced coach or consultant so you can develop a targeted plan to address weaknesses that might hinder you from landing the offer.
Feel free to reach out for a brief call to support within your constraints.
Fathu