Introduction What is the purpose of this handbook? This case-solving handbook is meant to give you a brief introduction to case interviews. It will introduce you to the concept of case interviews, how to prepare, which frameworks to familiarise yourself with and how to approach problem-solving. We recommend that you read through all sections to get a feel for what case interviews are all about. When applying at Valcon, you will be asked to do case interviews for our experienced positions, the Graduate Programme and our Junior Consultant positions. Can this case-solving handbook help me? If you want to become a management consultant: most likely, yes. The case interview is a widely used concept that you will certainly encounter when applying within consulting. If you have not tried case interviews before but want to know what you are in for, this handbook is a great place to start. If you are more experienced within case interviews and are familiar with the literature on the topic, this handbook can serve as an efficient brush-up or you can have a look in the “Additional resources” section. What is a case interview? The case interview is a recruitment tool that tests you on several different skills relevant to management consulting, including arithmetic, communication, presentation and business skills. In a case interview, you are presented with a business problem or challenge that you are asked to solve or give your opinion on. Depending on the type of case interview, you can be asked questions such as: “Should this company enter the Russian market?”, “Is this product expansion profitable given the data provided?” or “What is your take on this problem?”. All in all, the case interview is meant to test your problem-solving abilities. The reason behind case interviews The short answer to why we use case interviews is that they put your underlying consultant skills on the spot. Despite the many kinds of case interviews, the skills needed to solve them are largely the same. Case interviews simulate on-the-job situations and are often adapted from actual client situations. This way, they also provide you with insight into the everyday work of management consultants. Why so much focus on case interview preparation? Since case interviews put you on the spot and test several skillsets all at once, very few candidates make it through and are offered a job without preparation. Just like with any other type of job interview, knowing what you are getting yourself into vastly improves your chance of success. We therefore strongly recommend that you take the time to thoroughly prepare for case interviews. Examples of good preparation practices are: • Reading up on case interviews, i.e. a structured approach to problem-solving • Practicing case and problem-solving by yourself, in pairs and with experienced consultants • Practicing concise and structured communication • Maintaining good arithmetical skills and practicing mental math • Brushing up on your general business acumen • Participating in student events, organisations, communities, etc. to gain an inside-out perspective • Taking the time to reflect on how to optimally convey yourself, your strengths and your improvement areas • Deciding what you want from your future employer and work environment 3
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