I started my interview preparation journey on 15th August 2023. If I were to sum up my feelings in a single word, it would be: intimidated. Closely following was a profound sense of fear. My fact book highlighted three crucial points:
Case interviews are difficult.
This is a highly selective industry.
Start with the CaseCoach interview course.
Starting the CaseCoach interview course, I initially grasped the concept of a case interview but soon felt overwhelmed by ambiguity. Seeking clarity, I turned to the Crafting Cases course, which provided a broad template for solving business problems. However, it also intensified my fear. Determined to overcome this, I began peer casing, preparing in groups. This collaborative approach alleviated my fear, as I realized my struggles were shared by others. We all shared the same broad questions:
How can I solve a business problem without understanding the industry?Â
How to brainstorm quickly and in a structured approach?Â
Yet, one crucial question lingered: What difficulty should I expect in case interviews? I recall tackling a McKinsey problem where I got stuck midway, unable to interpret a graph. On the same day, I breezed through another case in under 10 minutes. The stark contrast left me questioning my readiness, building confusion. As I entered my first case interview, I carried my confusion with me, only to be surprised by the simplicity of the case. I was asked how a hotel could increase its occupancy—not by structuring an answer, but simply by discussing it. This was followed by a basic Grade 9 math question. Initially, I doubted the simplicity of my approach, but it turned out to be just that: a straightforward conversation about business. This feeling was quickly overturned by my next interview which was a more structured market sizing (refer to our content) which was still manageable, never leaving me completely blank. My key takeaway: case interviews aren't inherently easy or difficult; they're simply a skill to be learned.
Over the next 3 months, I completed over 10 case interviews each time coming out relieved, confident and having enjoyed my conversations while solving a business problem. After 100+ case interviews, 250+ cases read, and 8+ case books, I realized that consulting case interviews are often portrayed as more difficult than they are. In reality, they are a skill that can be developed over time and enjoyed if you're passionate about business. My advice: be curious, understand business, and explore our website's content before diving into CaseCoach or other platforms!
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