Cracking the Case!

Management consulting firms recruit by conducting case interviews. These interviews can be a nightmare for the unprepared candidate. Here are my two cents on how to do well in a case interview:

1. Get a working knowledge of frameworks such as: Porter's 5 Forces, 5 P's of marketing, BCG Matrix, Relative Market share, value chain analysis, segmentation, process maps, etc. Remember to keep the frameworks in mind while doing cases; but never apply a framework to a case unless it fits in to that case aptly.
   
2. Practice! I believe one should focus of quality of practice rather than on quantity. Hence, 7-12 cases should be enough to get good practice - provided you do these cases with people who have conducted case interviews before. Case interview is not a Puzzle interview where you must solve a tough puzzle on your own. It is a two-way process with elements of leadership, brainstorming, dialogue, structured thinking and crisp communication in it. Make sure you convey your capabilities in each of these areas!
3. While facing the interview be relaxed yet attentive. I believe this helps you to think better and quicker. Sometimes, if you are over-excited, even basic ideas and calculations can skip your mind and you can make stupid mistakes!
4. Connect with the interviewer. This is very important. Often a star candidate can get dinged if he does not connect well. On the other hand, if you are just above average but have good interpersonal skills, you may make it! Also, often interviewers drop cues during a case interview. Only an attentive person will be able to catch those cues. Therefore, look at your interviewer in the eye and try to log-in to his mind. This will certainly help you do well!
5. Verbalize! Always explain to your interviewer what you are doing before doing it. This helps the interviewer visualize what you are doing. This helps him evaluate you better. Remember, he is interested more in assessing how you think rather than in what you come up with.
   
6. Finally, smile! The interviewer will try to challenge you often. Never get stressed out in this situation. The key is to take each challenge with a smile. This will impress your interviewer and will also take the pressure off you.

Good Luck!