How to Prepare for Case Interviews

Candidates often find interview as a daunting task, as the case interview can be very fluid and it is difficult for any candidate to be well prepared.

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This article provides a structured approach to any candidate who is invited for a case interview. It is structured around 5 Cs - clarify, concur, conduct, confirm and conclude.

Clarifying:



Hear the case carefully and focus on the issues highlighted by the interviewer. In times when the item or the terminology used in the case are not familiar with the candidate, the candidate is important to clarify the terminology of the interviewers and not rushing to provide any analysis on the case. The last thing any candidate wants to avoid is to misunderstand the needs of the case by the misinterpretation of the terminology used and will be punished for doing a ''careless mistake.''

Its okay for candidates to ask the interviewer to repeat the event if you are unsure and paraphrases of the issues as an alternative to clarify the issues involved. The golden rule is always - if it is unheard of, if not familiar with, if not sure - always ask to clarify.

Concur:
Never rush to analyze the case, but will take time to structure a framework for how the candidate intends to deal with the case. Clearly articulate to the interviewer is looking approach or framework and according to the interviewer, if the approach or framework is acceptable for the case.

By articulating aloud the framework to be used for the case, candidates are to create greater success rate to tread the case on track. For if, the framework is suitable for the case, the interviewer and interviewee are often alerted that they are unwilling to guide candidates in making an appropriate framework for the case. But this can only happen with the cooperation of the candidate who is willing to verbalize the thinking process.

Conduct:
After clearing any unknowns and developing an appropriate framework, the next step is careful analysis of the case at hand. It is important to note at this point that innovation, creativity, the inquiring mind and capacity for analysis tend to look the interviewer instead of getting a response model.

At this stage, the candidate must request the quantitative and qualitative information if not provided by the interviewer.

It is important to focus the analysis of orientation in the case of issues. A sparse or a rigid approach should be avoided. Candidate must be sharp enough to distinguish the noise of the facts through the harmonization of the information provided with monographic themes using the framework developed.

Confirm:
Candidates should constantly review and analysis balance with the interviewer by confirming whether the analysis is in the right direction. Again, it is important for candidates to verbalize what is in the mind to allow the interviewer to understand where the analysis is directed toward. The candidate should allow the interviewer to guide the course of time and be flexible to change the course of analysis, especially when the interviewer suggested that if the analysis is off-topic.

During this stage, candidates should try to confirm the results based on the analysis.

Conclusion:
There will never be enough time to complete a case that candidates must be sensitive to time and let the last ten minutes of the interview if consolidate all the analysis and finalize recommendations or suggestions.

Candidates should be aware that the interviewer is not looking for a response model agreement to writing. Interviewers are more interested in how a certain conclusion is reached and therefore candidates must explain the reasons behind the finding of fact, which must be supported with the analysis of all made.

By methodically following the 5 Cs, candidates who are better-prepared and more confident, treat a case interview. As the old sayings go - practice makes perfect.

See the following articles for more information:

• 21 Major Interview Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
  
• The Best Way to Prepare for a Job Search and Interviews
  
• How to Talk About Other Interviews in Your Interviews
  
• How to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
  
• How to Answer the Do You Have Any Questions for Me Interview Question

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