preparing yourself - case interviewing

8/7/2019 Preparing Yourself - Case Interviewing

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Content byMarc P. Cosentino, author ´Case in Point: Complete

Case Interview Preparationµ

Presented bySara Stein Koch, Ph.D.

Director, UMCCDirector, Recruiting & Professional

Development

Preparing Yourself:Case Interviewing



Why Case Questions?

� Test analytical ability and logicalthinking

� Tolerance for ambiguity� Communication under pressure

� Creativity



Typical Rounds of Interviews

Round 1

Two 45-minute back to back interviews

Round 2Three 60-minute back to back interviews

Round 3

Three 60-minute back to back interviews



What you Bring

Portfolio

Resume

Graph paper Written questions



Types of Questions

Situation ex. Car/boss rain

Brain teaser ex. Manhole cover

Market sizing ex. Population,(back of the envelope) household, individual

Factor questions ex. New drug in market

Business cases ex. Profitability, industryanalysis, pricing & strategic planning



Case scenarios

1. Strategy Scenarios:entering new marketindustry analysisM &A·sDeveloping a new productpricing/ growth strategiescompetitive response

2. Operations Scenarios:

increasing salesreducing costsimproving the bottom line



First four Steps

1. Summarize the question

2. Verify the objective

3. Ask clarifying questions

4. Identify the case (what kind is it?)



Next four Steps

5. Manage your time

6.Work the numbers

7. Be coachable

8. Be creative and brainstorm



What are they looking for?

Relaxed

Good listener

Asking insightful questionsThinking creatively

Stating assumptions clearly

Trying to quantify responses



Show your Skill Sets

Math without

a

Calculator

Percentages

Break-even

Net presentvalue

Multiplicationand

Division with lotsof zeros



Gator Computers & Electronics

1)Market size

Just Answer Question 1




Market size= 300mil US pop

3/ household= 100 mil households

HDTV expensive so 20% of homes=20 mil

25% not interested

25% might order 1= 5mil

50% might order 2= 20milBut, half might wait until $ drop

12.5 mil




Math withouta

Calculator

Percentages

Break-even

Net presentvalue

Multiplicationand


Thinking andWriting

Graphically

Market 2

Market 3

International market

Market 1



NKA Airlines

Factors in developing the strategy

Our client is a venture capitalist. It seems that every

flight she·s on she is seated next to parents withrestless children. She likes quiet flights so she can gether work done or just sleep. She has formed asyndicate of venture capital firms to start an airline

which caters to adults- 21 or older. No kids allowed.She has financing, but what are some of the mainfactors she needs to consider and plan out to get theairline up and running.



NKA Airlines

Factors in developing the strategy

1. Industry and Market Analysis

trends/ forecast/players/barriers/entry strat

2. Management

who will run the airline

3. Marketing

4. Competitive response




Math withouta

Calculator

Percentages

Break-even

Net presentvalue

Multiplicationand


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Optimistic

Pessimistic

Break-even

Thinking andWriting

Graphically

Chart Analysisand Design

Market 2

Market 3

International market

Market 1




2) Factors in developing the strategy

3) Business case: pricing strategy




Questions:Any disadvantages?Substitutions/patented?

Cannibalizing our own?Factors:Industry analysisAd campaign

Competitive responseDistribution channelsWho are the customers




Pricing Strategies:

think through-

competitive pricing and response

cost based pricing

price based costing

Initial pricing high or low

Different models at different price ranges

Quick entry into market



Successful Candidates

1. Committed to consulting

2. Success oriented ²client and

company3. Strong analytical skills

4. Articulate, positive and

non-defensive



Few other examples

1. How many Netflix DVD·s get lost or stolenthrough the mailing process?

2. GE invents a new bulb that never wears

out. It could burn for more than 500 years.The director of marketing asks ´How wouldyou price this?µ

3. DuPont has just invented a lightweight

super absorbent biodegradable materialthat would be perfect for disposablediapers.What should they do with it?



Additional Resources

The Harvard Guide to Consulting Case Questions

CaseQuestions.com

The Harvard Guide to Consulting

Your faculty

preparing yourself - case interviewing

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