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Rising Star
I'm pretty terrible at cases but I've gotten an offer every time I've interviewed in consulting.
My approach is to follow all the typical frameworks but when I find myself slipping, I just tell the interviewer how I'd actually approach this in real life.
Basically, "Here's what I've heard, XYZ, and here's what I know, XYZ. Here's what I would want to know before talking to the client, XYZ, and I'd do that by either researching or reaching out to SMEs in the firm. With that information, I'd refine my hypotheses, which are XYZ. The reason I think that is XYZ. With all that in mind, here's how I'd structure the engagement and how I'd frame it for the client."
In my experience, cases are usually structured to find a single exact answer, but that's not how the real world works. So instead of being a textbook problem solver, I try to show the interviewer what the "real" problems are within the case.
SA, see, that's where my strength lies (and many others). I can structure the shit out of a problem and determine a shortlist of next steps and approach. I despise the textbook approach, but that has been the basis for not moving on in hiring processes.
I'm inclined to assume ownership of the case session as you suggest because to be honest (to me), I think modeling a solution for any value is more important than the final numerical answer assuming the model is sound of course.
Also interested in this. Had a case interview this week and got tripped up by some basic calculations (math is not my strong point but also usually better than this). The guy administering the case seemed to lose interest after this even though I think I brought things back with my overall analysis and interpretation of the data. I understand why firms see value in case studies but it is frustrating when you know an aspect that will probably never be needed in your daily duties is potentially going to block you going further.
Correct. There is more value to candidates than being able to do (sometimes) contrived and superficial calc's when they are capable of so much more. I would be more interested in their approach to data, research, modeling and insight gathering & communication, than if they stumbled on a case that may make or break their candidacy for a gig.
Some people have everything riding on a job interview and some stressor or constraints might be external and not related to the "stress" of the interview itself.
C1, good luck in any upcoming interviews. I'm rooting for you.