Case Interview Online Differences

Hi Anonymous,

when I was a candidate, I had my first round with McKinsey as a video interview, since I was applying to an office on another continent. During my time with McKinsey, I then interviewed dozens of candidates via the Firm's Video Conference System for various offices across the globe. So here are a couple of points that I would recommend:

1. Be ready early! It might take some time to get the Skype going and ensuring all components (camera, microphone) properly work. You don't want to have the interviewer waiting at the other end (even if it is not your fault)

2. Remember to turn off or silence your phone before starting the Skype session. Shut out all distractions, and give yourself around 10 minutes to collect yourself.

3. If it helps you, a video interview gives you the opportunity to bring a "cheat sheet" with a couple of bullet points (e.g., PEI stories or critical issues you want to highlight) and place it in a way that you can read it but it is not in the angle of the camera (maybe fixed on the wall behind the laptop). Just don't stare at the page during the interview - this might feel odd.

4. Look directly into the camera! You might be tempted to look at the monitor or yourself, but focus on making eye contact with your interviewer via the camera.

5. When responding to questions from the interviewer, nod, but take a second before responding in case the connection is weak — so that you don’t end up talking over the interviewer.

6. Double-check your body language! A video interview has the advantage that you can see yourself. So it allows you to more easily keep an awareness on your body language and that you keep the right level of "projection" during the interview.

Cheers, Sidi

___________________

Dr. Sidi S. Koné

Former Senior Engagement Manager & Interviewer at McKinsey | Former Senior Consultant at BCG | Co-Founder of The MBB Offer Machine™

Hi there,

1) Does this mean I should do something different in preparing for the case interview? 

Below you can find a few tips if you have a video interview:

1. Prepare the place for the call in advance. A quiet environment is a must-have (this includes airplane mode for your phone). Also, be sure that you have a proper background.
2. Test audio and webcam. Check in advance that both work properly.
3. Prepare in front of you all the material you need (eg structures). So you won't have to look for it during the interview/ won't make it clear you are reading it.
4. Wear what you would wear in a face-to-face interview. The standard dress code for an interview.
5. Connect at least 5 minutes in advance. So that you can test everything is working fine.
6. Smile during the call. It is a great way to show energy.
7. Use numbers when communicating your structures. This is important as well in a face-to-face interview but even more in a virtual one. It will make it easier for the interviewer to follow you since they probably cannot see your notes. As an example:“In order to help our client, I would like to focus on three main areas. First, I would like to focus on [FIRST TOPIC], secondly on [SECOND TOPIC], finally on [THIRD TOPIC]. Let me start with the first one".
8. Prepare your own questions. Relevant questions at the end are a great way to show your interest in the company and get additional points. It is even more important in a phone/video interview, as the interviewer will naturally connect less with you. You can find some tips on the ideal questions to ask at the end of your call here.
9. Bonus: record yourself using Zoom before the interview, simulating the call. You might notice a few things to correct, sound and video issues, incorrect angle of the webcam, etc.

2) If I would take notes on my laptop about the case, instead of paper, I would be quicker & would be easier to show the interviewer my notes

Personally I would use pen and paper as it might be strange/annoying for the interviewer to hear that you are typing on the computer / look distracted while they speak, but it is not necessarily wrong to do so.

If you are more comfortable taking notes on your computer, I would ask in advance if they are fine with that. If you don’t ask they will see you working on the computer while they speak and might not know what is going on.

3) Or should I tape some important points to my wall, so I don't forget some structures/questions?

This is fine if you don’t make it clear you are doing so to the interviewer.

4) And I have even heard of some people using calculators when doing the interview online 

This is something I would avoid as (i) they could hear you are using a calculator (ii) for most candidates that use calculators during mocks personally I can understand they are doing so because they provide the results too quickly.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there, 

My recommendation would be to treat it just like an in-person interview. 

Don't try to put notes around you or use a calculator. It will distract you. Plus, they sometimes ask you to film your desk with your phone, so that might make for a rather awkward conversation. 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

I highly recommend you use paper NOT laptop.

It's so hard to organize things on your laptop and you are highly likely to get lost.

You do NOT need to show your interviewer your notes.

Everything you need to demonstrate/know in "normal" times stays the same. Meaning, don't change any of your prep just becuase it's online. You will still get a prompt, you will still need to read/interpret charts, you will still need to be hypothesis driven, create a solid framework, drive the case, communicate clearly, think in a structured manner, etc. etc.

I recommend you do not use a calculator

Main Tips for Virtual

• Make sure you have a strong internet connection
• Make sure your sound+video work
• Get multiple monitors so you can look at 3 things at once (1 screen makes thought linear which is tough),
• Have a good desk space and keep using paper for solving the case,
• Make sure you'll be in a quiet space with no distractions
• Still dress for the occasion

Hello,

Great question! I think the advice others have posted here about general logistics prep (making sure you have a quiet space with stable wifi, your camera is working etc.) is very good. Regarding note-taking, most candidates find it easier to stick to paper, just like you have in practice. If you would like to take notes on a computer, be sure to practice doing so in mock interviews beforehand, and inform the interviewer that you would like to do so, because it can seem a little odd to someone viewing you through a zoom camera. I would not recommend using a calculator, as this is not permitted in interviews, and the downside with that sort of thing is always much higher than the upside.