Group Interview

Hi there,

Yes, the format you described is relatively common in consulting interviews. It's a great way to see how you interact with others in a competitive yet collaborative setting. 

Here are a few tips to help you stand out and succeed:

1. Be Clear and Concise in Your Presentation: Structure your analysis clearly, focusing on key insights and actionable recommendations. Use data and logical reasoning to support your conclusions but avoid overwhelming the audience with too much detail.
2. Anticipate Follow-Up Questions: There might not be enough time. However, if you do have some spare time, think ahead about potential weaknesses or alternative viewpoints in your solution, and have responses ready to defend or adapt your approach.
3. Engage Actively with Other Candidates: During their presentations, ask thoughtful, constructive questions. You don't need to overdo it by asking something after every presentation, rather ask less, but smart questions.
4. Show Collaborative Leadership: While it’s important to be competitive, also showcase your ability to collaborate and support others’ ideas when appropriate. Hence, you can also highlight what you liked about the analysis of your peer before asking a question.
5. Stay Calm Under Pressure: With multiple presentations and follow-up questions, these interviews can be fast-paced. Stay calm, listen carefully, and most importantly - don't get nervous by comparing your solution to others.
6. Acknowledge and Address Potential Weak Spots: If you notice a weak spot in your analysis while listening to others, be proactive about it. For example, you could frame it during your presentation by saying, "What I would also like to evaluate further is the point of x, which my person y brought to my attention." This shows self-awareness, flexibility, and a collaborative mindset.

Best of luck with your interview!

Best regards,
Kairavee

Hi there,

For this kind of assessment, first thing to figure out is how much time you have for each segment of the assessment. 

Then, you devise a plan on how to structure your time. For example, if you have 60mins for the case and presentation prep, you can use 10mins for perusing the prompt and materials, 5 minutes to structure your answer, 30minutes to respond to prompt and prepare slides, last 15 minutes to fine-tune slides and prepare talking points.

In your presentation and Q&A section of other candidates’ presentations, couple of additional tips to help differentiate yourself are:

1. Think beyond the first order effects of the recommendations
2. Preempt potential risks and limitations
3. Identify nonnegotiable options that might not be feasible in that context to show situational awareness

Feel free to reach out for additional tips.

Fathu

Hi there,

This format shares a lot of similarities with individual case interviews. No need to overthink it!

I'd approach it in the following way:

The skills needed in a typical one-on-one case interview are the same as for this situation. Your interviewers are more interested in your Problem deconstruction and creativity (framework and brainstorming), analytics (charts and math), and communication.

• Problem-solving: Clearly demonstrate your ability to break down the case problem, prioritize issues, and think critically. Even if you have limited time to analyze, focus on structuring your approach well.
• Analytics: Analyze charts and exhibits and work with numbers and provide a solid rationale behind any calculations or assumptions you make.
• Communication: For more on that, see below.

You want to build the skillset needed for a consultant already before the interviews to get the chance of an offer. 

Since you’ll only get one chance to present your analysis and a group setting can be a bit more intimidating, make sure to communicate in a clear and structured way.

• Top down + signposting and numbering: Start by outlining your main points upfront (e.g., “I will address three key issues: first, customer acquisition; second, cost structure; and third, competitive strategy”). Then guide them through your points and repeat the process throughout.
• Confidence: Speak confidently and succinctly, particularly when presenting your recommendations.

Also, anticipate the follow-up questions. 

• Weaknesses: Before your presentation, identify potential weak points or areas of uncertainty in your analysis, and have backup explanations or alternatives ready.
• Stay calm and adaptable: If someone raises a question that challenges your analysis, stay composed. Stay flexible here! If the critique is applicable, yield, if not, defend your points and stand your ground!

Finally, actively engage during the presentations of others.

• Ask insightful and relevant questions: After each presentation, ask thoughtful and strategic questions that assess and test their analysis. Avoid being overly critical. Ask questions that deepen or further the discussion or explore alternative approaches.

Reach out for more personalized tips and feedback.

Cheers,

Florian