What Interviewers Look for During the Case Interview
"Through interviewing many students at different schools for our entry-level positions, I've noticed that there are certain major traits that consistently separate excellent candidates from average candidates."
-L.E.K. Consulting recruiter*
Case interviewers tend to look for the same characteristics in candidates – either consciously or subconsciously. If you get the chance, ask a case interviewer what they look for during the case interview, and they will likely rattle off a list of traits almost exactly like the one below. The goal is to be ‘excellent' at all of these traits, not just average.
Trait
Excellent Candidates
Average Candidates
1) Thinks Out loud, Hypothesizes, and Draws Conclusions
Clearly articulates thoughts, findings, and conclusions throughout the case interview
Thoughts are not communicated clearly to the interviewer
2) Leverages Structure In Approaching a Case Interview
Structures insightful ideas to probe on and communicates these thoughts to the interviewer prior to jumping into case
Provides limited organization or structure to their thoughts; or, jumps right into solving the case
3) Coachable
Listens to and uses cues and hints from interviewer
Misses interviewer's cues or relies too heavily on interviewer for hints
4) Comfortable With Numbers and Basic Business Financials
Shows comfort with quantitative tasks and basic financials
Fumbles with numbers or does not have basic understanding of financials
5) Relaxed
Controls nerves; appears confidant
Allows nerves to affect their communication
6) Demonstrates Personality While Remaining Professional
Shows their personality during the interview; client ready, professional demeanor
Case-solving robot; does not let their personality show
*The views and opinions expressed herein represent the views and opinions of the individual and do not represent the views, opinions or perspective of L.E.K. Consulting.
Sometimes consulting firms use ‘score cards' to rate candidates on a variety of metrics to help standardize their recruitment efforts.
Here is a list of criteria that one consulting recruiter used during a first-round case interview:
Be sure to take note of these traits while practicing case studies. In one way or another, you will be assessed along these lines during the case interview.
-L.E.K. Consulting recruiter*
Case interviewers tend to look for the same characteristics in candidates – either consciously or subconsciously. If you get the chance, ask a case interviewer what they look for during the case interview, and they will likely rattle off a list of traits almost exactly like the one below. The goal is to be ‘excellent' at all of these traits, not just average.
Trait
Excellent Candidates
Average Candidates
1) Thinks Out loud, Hypothesizes, and Draws Conclusions
Clearly articulates thoughts, findings, and conclusions throughout the case interview
Thoughts are not communicated clearly to the interviewer
2) Leverages Structure In Approaching a Case Interview
Structures insightful ideas to probe on and communicates these thoughts to the interviewer prior to jumping into case
Provides limited organization or structure to their thoughts; or, jumps right into solving the case
3) Coachable
Listens to and uses cues and hints from interviewer
Misses interviewer's cues or relies too heavily on interviewer for hints
4) Comfortable With Numbers and Basic Business Financials
Shows comfort with quantitative tasks and basic financials
Fumbles with numbers or does not have basic understanding of financials
5) Relaxed
Controls nerves; appears confidant
Allows nerves to affect their communication
6) Demonstrates Personality While Remaining Professional
Shows their personality during the interview; client ready, professional demeanor
Case-solving robot; does not let their personality show
*The views and opinions expressed herein represent the views and opinions of the individual and do not represent the views, opinions or perspective of L.E.K. Consulting.
Sometimes consulting firms use ‘score cards' to rate candidates on a variety of metrics to help standardize their recruitment efforts.
Here is a list of criteria that one consulting recruiter used during a first-round case interview:
- Structured the approach to the problem logically
- Identified critical issues and key factors
- Displayed accurate, creative, or insightful thinking
- d.Demonstrated good business judgement and reasoning skills
- Consistently drove towards answer and recommendation
- Got every key point
- Evaluate a candidate's quantitative and analytic abilities:
- Identified which numbers were important and why
- Used those numbers to draw a hypothesis
- Demonstrated facility with numbers and calculations
- Evaluate a candidate's soft skills:
- Acts professional
- Communicates well
- Was confident
- Was likeable
- Evaluate a candidate's qualitative, analytic, and diagnostic abilities
Be sure to take note of these traits while practicing case studies. In one way or another, you will be assessed along these lines during the case interview.
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