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What is a business case interview?听

锘縀mployers may ask candidates to evaluate a business situation during the interview process; this is called a business case interview.

How long is the case? What is it like?听

锘緾ases can be short (a few sentences) or long (10+ pages). Often candidates are asked to analyze and present the case during the interview, and are allotted a specific amount of time. Sometimes cases are assigned in advance of the interview and you are asked to come prepared to present during the interview. Cases may involve using a calculator or not.

What types of employers ask business case questions?听

锘緾onsulting firms and those with analyst positions may use cases. But any type of organization or company may throw a case question at a candidate.

Why do employers use case interviews?听

锘縏his is a great way to test your logic, problem-solving, and intellect. It鈥檚 also a way to see how well you understand the company鈥檚 business and industry.

What are typical questions given for a case interview?听

锘縅ust like basic interview questions, case questions can vary as well. 听Here are some potential case interview topics:

路听 听 听听How can the firm grow revenue and/or increase profit?

路听 听 听听How should the firm set up distribution?

路听 听 听听Should the firm make the acquisition?

路听 听 听听What should the firm develop for its product/service pipeline?

路听 听 听听How should the department reorganize?

路听 听 听听How can the firm react to the competitive threat?

路听 听 听听Which market should the firm enter?

路听 听 听听What should be the firm鈥檚 integrated marketing plan?

路听 听 听听How should the firm incentivize its sales force to meet its revenue goals?

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Basic Steps to Approach the Case:

路听 听 听 Read the case carefully 鈥� note important information

路听 听 听 Understand the question(s) being asked

路听 听 听 Watch your time

路听 听 听 Plan for your presentation and be ready to answer questions

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Steps to Analyze the Case:*

1.听 听 Establish Your Understanding

2.听 听 Set Up the Framework

3.听 听 Evaluate Case Using the Framework

4.听 听 Summarize and Make Recommendations

*Adapted from BCG web site:听

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锘緼dditional Tips:

路听 听 听 Acknowledge missing information

路听 听 听 Use the data presented in the case when evaluating a firm鈥檚 situation 鈥� financial statements, charts, graphs, etc.

路听 听 听 Recognize there is not always a RIGHT answer 鈥� cases are to see how you work through problems

路听 听 听 Try practicing case interviewing to be prepared.

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Resources for Case Interviews:

Case in Point10听by Marc P. Cosentino (the book is available on Amazon)听

听 (use for accounting firms)

Megan Turnbull is a career counselor at the听听Career and Professional Success team. See听from the Paul College CaPS team.