case interview prep presentation 2010 [pdf library]

8/6/2019 Case Interview Prep Presentation 2010 [PDF Library]

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CASE IN POINTCase Question Workshop

Marc P. CosentinoCaseQuestions.com

CQ Interactive


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Case Question Workshop

Purpose of Case Questions

What Firms Look For

Consulting Interviews

Notes Types of Case Questions

Key Guidelines

Case Scenarios

Irking the Interviewer Frameworks

If You Do Nothing Else

Trends in Case Interviews

Skill Sets


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Candidates who receive offersdo so for five reasons:

1. Committed to .

2. Success-oriented

3. Able to exhibit good analytical skillswhen answering case questions.

4. Able to articulate their thoughts,

create a positive presence, and defendthemselves w/o being defensive.

5. Fit with industry and firm


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What Firms Look For

The objective is not to determine if

the candidate gets the right answer,but rather to evaluate the process

the candidate employs to structurea competent approach to derivea solution.


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Consulting Interviews3 Parts

Airport Test

Maturity Test

Case Questions


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CASE NOTES

Case Notes

In this sectionwrite down all theinformation thatthe interviewer

gives you

Objective

Write the answers tothe questions that youasked about the case.

Draw your structureE(P=R-C)M


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CASE NOTES

Graph paper, landscape

One side of page, number each page

Draw notes, graphs, arrows, boxes

Lay them out in front of you

Star most important points

Constantly review 1st page

Separate sheet for math


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2 Rounds of Interviews

2 45 minute back-to-back interviews

2 small verbal cases

3 60 minute back-to-back interviews

3 verbal cases with chart analysisor 2 verbal and 1 written w/ chart design


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Types of Case Questions

Situation Case

car/boss, kids/billboard Brain Teasermanhole covers, bags of gold

Guess the Number (population, household, individual, & ??)disposable diapers

Factor QuestionsWhat factors would your consider

Business Case / Oral and Writtenprofitability, industry analysis, marketexpansion, pricing & strategic planning

There are five categories of case questions.However, ninety percent of the case questions will beof one type - Business Case.


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Key Guidelines

1. Listen to the Problem

2. Take Notes3. Backtranslate or Restate the Problem

4. Verify Objective

5. Ask Clarifying Questions

6. Think Big Picture First, Think Top Down

7. Identify the Type of Case

8. Structure the Problem

9. Organize Your Answer & Manage Your Time

10. Be Creative & Brainstorm WithoutCommitment

11. Be Coachable - listen to the interviewers feedback

12. Think Out Loud (but think first)

13. Bring Closure & Summarize

14. Show Enthusiasm & a Positive Attitude

15. Have Fun


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IS THE CANDIDATE

relaxed & confident? a good listener?

engaging & enthusiastic?

asking insightful questions?

organizing the information effectively &developing a logical framework for analysis?

stating assumptions clearly?

comfortable discussing multifunctional aspects ofthe case?

trying to quantify their response at everyopportunity?

displaying business sense?

thinking creatively?


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12 Most Common

Case ScenariosSTRATEGY SCENARIOS

Entering a New Market

Industry Analysis M&A

Developing a NewProduct

Pricing Strategies Growth Strategies

Start a New Business

Competitive Response

OPERATIONS

Increasing Sales

Reducing Costs Improving Bottom Line

Turnarounds


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Irking the Interviewer

Letterman/Leno Syndrome

What Was That Question Again?

Explosion of the Mouth Digression City

Buzzword Bingo

Asking Open-Ended Questions

Using cookie-cutter frameworks


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FRAMEWORKS

IVY CASE SYSTEM

PORTERS FIVE FORCES

5 Cs

4Ps

7Ss


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If You Do Nothing Else...

The First 4 Steps:

1. Summarize the Questions

2. Verify the Objectives3. Ask Questions

4. Layout Your Structure

Identify & Label the Case


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The Things They Do

A or B / Let me tell you why you're wrong

Headings and bullets / When they cut you off

End of case meeting with CFO The Final Slide


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The Final Slide

Product A Product B

Market Size

Breakeven

Profit

Other Concerns

Product Choice


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MATH SKILLS

Math flying w/o a calculator

Percentages, Breakevens, Weighted Averages,

Net Present Value, Multi/Div with lots of zeros

case interview prep presentation 2010 [pdf library]

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