Interview Notes

A good general prep book on interviewing is Martin Yates's "Knock 'em Dead!" which is re-published annually. Although it's designed more for people who are out in the work place and it deals with handling "ugly" situations (when you've been fired, or have been in jail!) it is a great preparation if you anticipate a stress interview, or you really don't know what you'll be facing. I like to review it the night before a major interview. 

Group Interviews

See my text Business Protocol for how to handle the dreaded group interview where several candidates are interviewed at the same time. Understand that this is just a hurdle in the hiring process—you have to get through it, then really shine in later one-on-one interviews.

Case Interviews

Many firms use some kind of case interview, to check your analytic reasoning. You'll need a great deal of practice and preparation to do well on this. Make use of peers in the school and in your fraternities and clubs, and try to get a practice interview with an alumnus.

The specific resource for case interviewing is the book Case in Point . All the other candidates will have read this book.

In most case interviews, you'll be presented with a limited summary of a firm's situation and you are expected to ask the interviewer for additional information, (example, "Well, I'd need to know their COGS ...") Sometimes you'll be given the additional information, at other times you'll have to fly blind (in this example, "Well, part of their problem is their cost accounting is a mess ... it's really hard to put a figure on COGS ...")

Key success factors are

• Analysis: Showing you can find the relevant facts, and ignore excess detail
• Showing  you have some structure (e.g., the "Three C's Model") in your head on to which you can hang each fact as you are given it
• Developing a range of options (ideally all possible strategies, but at least 3 or 4 that are credible)
• Communicating your thought process demonstrating logic rather than a brilliant insight
• Choosing what you consider to be the best and being able to defend your reasoning

If you are doing well,  you should anticipate that no matter how good your answer, the interviewer will challenge it, with what feels like a "fatal" flaw in your reasoning. (If you have totally blown the case, you likely won't be challenged, so consider this debate a compliment.) It's a tough judgment call as to when to concede that your interviewer is right, and when to stick to your guns.

The leading consulting firms used to throw case interviews at candidates as a surprise. They've learned that playing "Gotcha!" certainly weeds out the weak candidates, but loses some excellent candidates in the ambush. So they all help to prepare  you for case interviews.

Be sure to research your specific target firms by:

• Attending their on-campus firm night presentations (This is mission-critical—they'll often tell you exact details of their interview procedure).
• Consulting background information, such as the Wet Feet Press guides (see our Career Center) and notes at Vault.com
• Reading the firm's hand-out literature, and what they say about themselves on their web-site. All of the major consulting firms (Bain, McKinsey, Monitor, BCG) have hints and tips on their websites, such as this good summary from McKinsey.