Case studies test you in all manner of ways so they are one of the best \u2013 and fairest \u2013 methods of seeing a candidate \u2018in action\u2019. They are designed to evaluate how you process information, solve problems and react to new and surprising situations, as well as showing how you work within a team. Individuals or a small group of candidates are presented with a business problem and then given time to evaluate the information and brainstorm a solution. Case studies can be on almost any topic. OC&C Strategy Consultants says: \u2018The cases can be on any topic, from the size of the diaper market in the Netherlands to how many tennis balls would fit in Wembley Stadium, to a business strategy topic, involving company financial data and graphs.\u2019 Oliver Wyman advises: ‘Think of the interview as a problem-solving dialogue with the interviewer rather than as a test. There is more than one answer to the case.’<\/p>\n
Read the firm\u2019s graduate recruitment literature and check its website to see if it has sample case studies (the vast majority of consultancies do). Have a look at recent press releases to get a feel for the type of work it\u2019s involved with as well as what industries it works across. Read the business pages of newspapers and imagine one of the businesses to be your client. How would you advise them? What would you base your recommendations on? What factors would you and your client need to consider before proceeding to the next step? Also check with your careers service as many run workshops and presentations on how to prepare successfully for case studies and assessment centres.<\/p>\n
Through our research of top consulting firms the TARGETjobs team has come across some valuable nuggets of advice for succeeding at case study interviews, such as:<\/p>\n
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