|
Do listen and interact
The interviewer starts by laying out the problem or the question. Regularly during the cases, he makes comments to orientate the discussion and drive you to a solution. You should carefully listen to him/her and ask questions to clarify any point. You should also adapt your thoughts, hypotheses and options according to the information communicated to you throughout the case.
Do structure the problem around a customized framework
The interviewer will then ask you how you would approach the question. This is the time to quickly structure the problem and highlight the major areas that you will want to explore. You will even be more convincing if you are able to capture your structure in a simple, yet to the point framework. Do not hesitate to pause for a couple of moments after the interviewer asked the question in order to define your high-level structure.
Do focus on issues where most impact can be brought
The interviewer will potentially let you choose the key issues to explore further. Focus on the ones where you think your recommendations can potentially create the most value. Also explain the logic that drove you to your choice of key issues.
Do explore a variety of options with creative thinking
Once you have chosen the key issues to focus on, (e.g. how to increase revenues from new products) you should come up with a couple of hypotheses on how to do this. You will definitely make a good impression by going beyond standard answers, conventional wisdom or generally accepted rules
Do demonstrate business judgment
The interviewer will ask you probing questions about your comments, hypotheses or conclusions. This is so that he can test your ability to use your own judgment given the sometimes limited information available to you.
Do perform quickly and accurately simple calculations
At some point, the interviewer will ask you to make some simple calculations. Besides the calculation itself, which should be accurate, the interviewer looks at how you integrate what you have discovered so far about the problem into the calculation.
Do synthesize your thoughts and conclude the analysis
At the end of the interview or when the analysis comes to an end, you should go back to the original question. It is then time to summarize, in a few words, your key hypothesis and the options developed and conclude with the most relevant recommendations you would make to the client.
|
