Why companies use case interviews
More and more students are experiencing case interviews- they are popping up everywhere! Case interviews have always been a component of consulting interviews, but now we are seeing them used to evaluate marketing, strategy, operations and even retail positions. The case interview, or variations of the case interview, is here to stay. So, we should all familiarize ourselves with case interview basics.
What is a case interview?
Case interviews are evaluations of your ability to think about and structure a solution to a business problem. The interviews contain both qualitative and quantitative questions to be resolved. The case is typically an example of a real business problem typical of the industry to which you are interviewing.
So, why do companies use case interviews? Here are just a few reasons:
- Test your ability to deal creatively with complex or ambiguous problems
- Test how you structure your thinking
- Test how you reach sensible conclusions with the available facts in a short time
More than anything it tests your ability to use original thinking and logic to solve problems.
Sound scary? It’s not! More than just a case, it is an opportunity for interviewers to get to know you. Cases are meant to be fun and thought provoking! Don’t believe me? Try a few. There are plenty of resources available at your fingertips to help you crack the case.
If you are interested in a career in consulting or would like to learn more about the case interview, I’m happy to meet with you!