BCG%20-%20Consulting%20Interviews

CONSULTING INTERVIEWS: A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS The Boston Consulting Group

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7/2/2003 1:39:19 PM

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GOALS FOR THIS DOCUMENT Provide inter Provide an an overview overview of of the the interview interview interview view Describe Describe the the evaluation evaluation criteria criteria Demystify Demystify case case interviews interviews • What What they they are are and and why why they’re they’re done done •• What What to to do do and and what what not not to to do do •• Provide Provide aa case case example example







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INTERVIEW FORMAT First Round Consists of Two 45-Minute Case Interviews

11--22 m miinnuutteess

IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn Set Set the the agenda agenda


B Bee pprreeppaarreedd ttoo ddiissccuussss pprriioorr eexxppeerriieenncceess Open Open discussion discussion (resume, (resume, motivations) motivations)


C Caassee iinnttrroodduuccttiioonn Case Case discussion discussion Case Case wrap wrap up up







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SOME KEY EVALUATION CRITERIA Success -oriented behavior Success-oriented behavior •• ••

Tolerance Tolerance for for ambiguity ambiguity Toughness/resilience Toughness/resilience

•• ••

Initiative/motivation Initiative/motivation Demonstrated results/lea Demonstrated results/leadership results/leadership results/leadership dership

Analytical Analytical skills skills •• ••

Framing/organizing Framing/organi Framing/organizing Framing/organizing zing the the problem problem Prioritization Prioritization of of issues issues

•• ••

Identifying Identifying relevant relevant information information Drawing Drawing conclusions conclusions from from facts facts

••

Identifying Identifying key key implications implications and and next next steps steps







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OPEN DISCUSSION Some Tips Exhale! Exhale! •• ••

It’s It’s natural natural to to feel feel nervous nervous Think Think of of itit as as an an engaging engaging conversation conversation with with aa colleague colleague

Be Be genuine genuine •• ••

We We don’t don’t seek seek aa specific specific profile profile “Fit” “Fit” is is aa two-way two-way street street

Convey Convey your your “brand” “brand” ••

Your characterize Your unique unique strengths, strengths, characterized characterizedd in characterized in aa memorable memorable way way







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THE CASE INTERVIEW The What and Why

Most Most consulting consulting firms firms use use some some form form of of case case interview interview Cases Cases are are mainly mainly taken taken from from real-life real-life examples examples of of BCG BCG casework casework Typically Typically structured structured as as aa 20 20 to to 30 30 minute minute discussion discussion Cases Cases serve serve as as aa vehicle vehicle for for us us to to gain gain insight insight into into how how you you might might approach approach and and analyze analyze aa typical typical business business issue issue w •• Also Also gives gives you you aa perspective perspective on on what what what hat consultants consultants do do









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WHAT DO COMPANIES LOOK FOR DURING THE CASE? Not “The Answer” Analytics Analytics •• ••

Provide unstructure Provide structure structure to to unstructured unstructured unstructuredd problems problems Break Break problems problems into into components components

•

Apply Apply transparent, transparent, logical logical thinking thinking to to each each component component







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THE SEVEN HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL CASE INTERVIEWS 1. 1.

Make certa clea under ing object Make certain certain certain in you you have have aa clear clear clearr understand understand understanding standing ing of of the the objective objective objective ive ask ask for for additional additional information information ifif necessary necessary







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SOME COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID Pitfall

Interviewer comments

Unstructured answer

“It is very clear when you are interviewing interviewing a student who has not had a lot of case exposure. They tend to lack structure in their approach.”

Narrowly defined

“It is very common for a student who has a marketing background to focus







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HOW DO I PREPARE? No Magical Formula

Prepare Prepare mentally mentally ••

View View the the interview interview as as an an opportunity, opportunity, not not aa hurdle hurdle







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A BCG CASE EXAMPLE

Your Your client client is is the the CEO CEO of of aa national national fast fast food food restaurant restaurant chain chain which which operates 50 iinstituting operates 500 500 5000 restaurants. restaurants. The The chain chain is is thinking thinking of of instituting instituting nstituting aa frequentfrequent-









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BCG%20-%20Consulting%20Interviews

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