CASE INTERVIEWING GUIDE
INTERVIEWING > TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
A case question is an interactive interviewing tool used to evaluate the multi-dimensional aspects of a
candidate. Individuals are presented with information and asked to analyze, synthesize, and articulate a
solution. Interviewers use case questions to see how well candidates listen, how they think, the logic behind
their thoughts, and how well they can articulate their thoughts under pressure. Case interviews can also help
employers to gauge self-confidence, discover the candidate’s personality, and to see
if problem solving genuinely intrigues them. The objective is not to determine if the interviewee got the “right
answer,” but rather to evaluate the process the candidate used to structure a competent approach to derive a
solution.
Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach discuss interview strategies and conduct a mock
interview.
Management consulting companies have used case interviews to assess talent for decades. More recently, case
interviews have started to edge into industries and functions including healthcare, marketing, consumer
product management, and investment banking. Individuals in these functions often have to work with the
senior executives of a corporation and want to be effective leaders. This includes the ability to think on their
feet, analyze problems, develop creative solutions, and be able to support their recommendations. Case
interviews are one way to determine which candidates are up to the task.
What qualities are employers looking for during the interview?
•Active listening
•Articulate communication and presentation
•Logic, ability to integrate and organize data
•Analytical and problem-solving skills
•Creativity and entrepreneurial drive
•Social skills
•Confidence and poise under pressure
Case interviews can vary across employers. The case can be presented orally or on paper. The company and
the issues addressed can be real-world examples or imaginary. While the time allotted varies, a typical
business case will take 20 minutes to complete. Some of the common types of cases are:
Open-Ended Cases: The interviewer gives you only a few sentences of information, and then expects you to
run with only that information and your own assumptions
WHAT IS A CASE INTERVIEW?
WHO USES CASE INTERVIEWS?
STYLES OF CASE INTERVIEWS
