General Presentation Tips for Consultants

Brainteasers are a type of problem that focuses on a single issue rather than complex business cases. They require out-of-the-box thinking, logic or math skills and can take the form of riddles, word problems or visual puzzles. These tasks are designed to test your problem-solving skills, analytical thinking and ability to remain calm under pressure.Typical problems cover everyday life's topics and might even include unrealistic assumptions. All necessary information is usually included in the question so that further assumptions are not necessary. This article explains in more detail why brainteasers are useful in case interview preparation and how to solve them. Why Are Brainteasers Useful?First, in consulting case interviews, brainteasers are rarely used. Regular cases are considered more suitable as they allow the interviewer to better test key skills needed in a consultant (structured, analytical and conceptual thinking). However, brainteasers add significant value to the preparation process of several reasons:Enhancing Creative Thinking: Brainteasers demand unconventional solutions that go beyond the standard approaches used in typical business cases. This hones the ability to think outside the box and encourages flexibility in developing and applying different problem-solving frameworks.Building Stress Resilience and Speed: Brainteasers often place candidates under time pressure, mimicking the stressful situations commonly encountered in consulting. Regular practice with these challenges helps candidates remain calm and think clearly, even when the solution is not immediately apparent.Strengthening Mathematical and Logical Skills: Many brainteasers involve numbers or require logical deductions. Regular practice with these tasks improves the ability to quickly translate problems into mathematical or logical equations, a skill that is also valuable in complex business analyses.Avoiding Standard Solutions: By working on brainteasers, candidates reduce the risk of becoming too dependent on standard frameworks. This practice sharpens their ability to consider alternative solutions, which can be crucial in unpredictable business situations. How to Solve BrainteasersWhen approaching brainteasers, the method you use to tackle the problem is often more critical than arriving at the correct answer. Brainteasers test not only your creativity and logic but also your ability to structure your thoughts and communicate your reasoning clearly. By following a systematic approach, you can effectively break down complex puzzles and demonstrate your problem-solving skills:Structure Before Solution: The approach to solving a brainteaser is often more important than the final answer. Write down all the information provided, listen carefully, and make sure you haven’t missed or added anything. A structured approach demonstrates your ability to systematically analyze and tackle a problem.Brute Force: When a problem requires a specific number and the possible solutions are limited, a trial-and-error approach can be effective.Example: Replace 'x' with the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 to make the equation xx * x = xxx true. Solution: 54 * 3 = 162.Logic: Many brainteasers can be solved by logically interpreting the information given and drawing the correct conclusions.Example: Five friends have 10 cookies. They vote on how to split them in alphabetical order. Anyone who doesn’t get at least 50% of the votes is out. Anton votes first. The maximum number of cookies he can demand is 8. Key Takeaways - What Brainteasers Are Useful forBrainteasers are not common in case interviews but are highly useful for preparing for unconventional problem-solving situations.They enhance creative and structured thinking, build stress resilience, and improve mathematical and logical skills. Brush up on your mental math skills. Being quick and accurate with numbers is crucial!Focus on the problem-solving process and structure rather than just finding the correct answer.

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 abilities, problem-solving skills, and ability to think strategically under pressure. Here is a comprehensive overview of what to expect in a case interview. Structure of a Case InterviewA 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-job experience and the assumption is that if a candidate is successfully able to tackle a case interview, they are 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 or too easy. Companies also ensure that a variety of skills are tested during the case interviews. The Typical Flow of a Case InterviewThe case interview typically follows a structured flow to ensure that both the interviewer and the candidate cover all necessary aspects of the business problem. In the following key points you will learn more about what a case interview involves:1. Introduction and Warm-UpIntroduction: The case interview usually starts with the interviewer briefly introducing themselves and explaining their role in the company.Resume Review: Often, there will be a short discussion about your background, experience, and why you are interested in consulting. This helps the interviewer get to know you better and assess your fit with the firm's culture.2. Case Presentation and Problem UnderstandingCase Context: In the next step, the interviewer will present a business problem or scenario. This could range from market entry strategies, profitability analysis, to organizational changes. The problem is usually based on real-world business issues that the consulting firm dealt with.Problem Understanding: 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, before diving into the analysis.3. Framework DevelopmentStructuring Your Approach: You outline a structured approach or framework to tackle the problem. Common frameworks include the SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces or the Pyramid Principle, with which you can structure your information. This step demonstrates your ability to break down complex issues into manageable parts.Communication: Clearly explain your framework to the interviewer, ensuring they understand your thought process and logical flow.💡 See the big picture: It is not enough to simply memorize the standard framework concepts. While the frameworks are useful for a rudimentary outline of case problems, they need to be optimized and adapted for the individual case. You can master case structuring, but only with the necessary practice.4. Analysis and Problem SolvingCollecting Data: The interviewer may provide additional data, charts or exhibits. Analyze this information to support your framework and build your argument.Hypothesis Testing: Formulate hypotheses based on your analysis and test them against the data provided. Adjust your approach as necessary based on new findings.Quantitative Analysis: Perform the necessary calculations to support your findings. This could include market sizing, profitability calculations or cost analysis.5. RecommendationsSummarize Your Results: Summarize your analysis and findings in a coherent summary. Highlight the key findings and explain how they address the problem.Make Recommendations: Provide clear, actionable recommendations based on your analysis. Be prepared to justify your suggestions with evidence from your analysis (i. e. data).Next Steps: Discuss possible next steps or further areas of investigation that the client may wish to consider.6. Q&A and DiscussionInteractive Discussion: The interviewer may question your conclusions or ask for further clarification. Be prepared to defend your recommendations and discuss alternative perspectives.Follow-Up: Conclude the interview with a brief summary of your approach, key findings and recommendations. Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to discuss the case. Key Takeaways: Our Top Tips for Your Case Interview PreparationOur top tips for your case preparation: Make the most of PrepLounge's resources! Practice mock interviews with peers, deepen your understanding of business frameworks with our case interview basics, sharpen your math skills using the Mental Math Tool, and stay up to date with the latest industry trends. Below, you'll find a selection of our top recommendations for you!By understanding and practicing these components, you can improve your performance in case interviews and increase your chance of securing a position at a top consulting firm. 🚀