Case Interview 101 - Watch This Before Anything Else!

This is the very first #CaseInterview #preparation lesson every newbie should watch! This should act as a “home” and a “map” page for your #case interview #studying no matter where you are. The insights I am about to share with you are the results of years of experience in both #managementconsulting and in #case interview coaching. I have coached hundreds of candidates of various backgrounds from the brightest students of Harvard, Wharton to some real “newbies”. Regardless of background, many don’t have a good grasp of #Caseinterviewsbasics.
Timestamps
1:35 What is a Case Interview?
1:52 What does the format of a case interview look like?
2:40 What is evaluated in a case interview? MECE, Frameworks and Hypotheses
7:44 The common flow of a case interview
8:32 How to prepare for a case interview?
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Hope to see you in the next video!

[@MConsultingPrep]

Feel free to ask any questions in our community where you can connect with other applicants and ex-consultants: mconsultingprep.com/community/

[@leahgoldberger3586]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm a Dartmouth MBA who successfully avoided all case interviews while in school. Thanks to your videos and subsequent practice, I just crushed a series of case interviews that resulted in two job offers. Could not have done it without you. Thank you for your careful and thorough explanations of each step.

[@rarehuman]

Where did you find your practice material from? I have my interview in a week and just found that out today

[@ozstyl]

@@rarehuman How did you go? my interview is next week.

[@rarehuman]

@@ozstyl lol luckily it has been rescheduled for tomorrow. I am trying to digest as much easy stuffs as I could and combining them with the logic I am learning from different channels, especially from CraftingCases. I had never aimed for interview cases, its a procedure these guys I am interviewing for recently started so I just happened to fall into it.

[@rarehuman]

@@ozstyl if you are as unprepared as I am, check out CraftingCases and try emailing them. You could get some personalised tips tailored for your company type and position you are applying to

[@shanelwhite3700]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJixm3mdmK2bndU

[@funmilayooyekanmi]

This was really helpful. Been struggling to solve case studies without really understanding the basics, and this video made me realize important things to do before solving one.

[@MConsultingPrep]

Yes. And once you grasp this, watch the "Candidate-led" video too. A little more advanced, building upon the foundation you learned here. ^^

[@gilsukim]

My note on solving case interview the right way: 1. look for root-cause reasons and solve them, not just symptoms 2. find all root-cause reasons by breaking down the big problem into smaller pieces in a MECE way 3. use hypothesis to prioritize pieces that most likely contain the root-cause (find all root-cause fast and efficient)

[@oliverrobinson4626]

Gil Su Kim qqqqqqqqqqqqqq

[@shanelwhite3700]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJixm3mdmK2bndU

[@yogithanand]

First of all, Thank you Tran, thank you very much for preparing this video, I am a guy in India who is from a not so great B-School where in we don't get these inputs and consulting companies dnt even dare to recruit us and I believe in making my career in consulting.. I have been constantly searching for this kind of expanation. this video is a real encouraginment for anyone who wishes to believe that he/she can do consulting.... Tran its simply awesome the way you explained where in you told that process is important not the result, about root cause analysis , the MECE way, and defining hypothesis. Oh Tran thanks a ton...!

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

I am glad this video somewhat gives you some inspiration. Thank you for leaving a nice comment. Keep up the spirit and good things will happen! It's just the matter of time! ^^

[@muhammadputera6593]

hope you've made it in life!

[@saurabhkhanolkar5017]

@@muhammadputera6593 Yup ... the guy is an assistant sales manager at one of the good firms. Just looked him up on Linkedin

[@fantasiasmith2066]

YOU ARE AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR EXISTING. GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@TrangNguyen-hi1jx]

Although I am already familiar with case interview preparation, this video is quite helpful for me in the way that it shows the big picture, and of course very helpful for beginners ;)

[@kiranyadav4721]

how we should prepare case interviews for company like mckinsey!!pls do reply

[@AJ-et3vf]

Awesome video sir! Thank you! Highly appreciate this as a graduating student preparing for internships where there are multiple interviews including business case presentations.

[@singhkhan6580]

I can't thank you enough for such a well-informed and a well-explained video ❤️

[@MConsultingPrep]

After so many years, many people are still watching this very first video of this channel. Thank you so much for watching ^^.

[@AngelaCarnuccio]

Wow, really great video- amazing and easy-to-understand graphics. Really practical and holistic. thank you for this resource!

[@cutebubbles2007]

Hi thank you your videos helped me land a job

[@princeaniukwu9100]

This was really a great watch. You simplified the process. Absolutely love it

[@mikegillan]

Very informative video, thanks! I'll head over to your site for more. Can you share what software you used to create the presentation video? I loved the style and the concept of zooming in for details and out for the big picture.

[@alvaroyanes8867]

probably prezy

[@namm103]

Thank you Kim Tran for delivered such amazing preparational strategies. After 3 months studying Business Admin at International University in Viet Nam, one of my favorite lecturers suggests me applying for McKinsey in the later years. Moreover, he recommended your preparation videos on youtube in case interview section. I found your tutorials very fascinating and useful. The way you explain is just incredibly comprehensible in almost every respects. These materials will somewhat help me in developing my logical thinking skills and the ability to work with other fellows who want to be a consultant. Once again thank you so much for these precious pieces of informations. Your videos encourage me and you are my inspiration.

[@MConsultingPrep]

Thanks for your comment & your professor's recommendation!

[@adamfaiz45]

Hey Kim, So ive heard that since the prevalent cultures are Bain, McKinsey and BCG are quite different, interviewers of the respective firms often look for slightly varied approaches to given cases. Is that true? If it is, could you maybe do a video on what these varied expectations might be and suggest strategies for each firms case interivew? Thanks

[@mridang2064]

Thank you so much man. I can't describe in words how thankful I am, tomorrow is my interview.

[@adityakanda1706]

How did it go?

[@MConsultingPrep]

So glad to hear that. How did it go?

[@shanelwhite3700]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJixm3mdmK2bndU

[@LinhCao165]

So lucky to find this video. exactly what I need!

[@Ohmar13Aviles]

This is a good one, I just have to ask, where can I find good business publications and journals? what are your recommendations about math? I mean, what specific subjects should I study more...

[@imreadyfornothing]

It’s been 6 years someone answer this man

[@kurianjpanjikaran8366]

Even though I have watched few other videos on case interview preparation, I was not aware of MECE. Very informative. Thanks.

[@paulodasilvadurao1181]

Thank you! Hope this will serve for my job interview in 14 mins!

[@LemanMamiyeva]

Thanks a lot for this video! You have been the most helpful!

[@hardikgujarathi1202]

You are preparing?

[@toxicgamer123]

MConsulting Prep I would actually like to see a video or maybe a reply to this comment on McKinsey employee's work habits/advice. I know majority of McKinsey employees don't stay there long-term, and I would like to know what takeaways y'all take from working there. For example, I have read online on how you guys keep a to-do list. I think it would be interesting and its not something you can find online. I really love what McKinsey does, and I would love to be able to know how to be like a McKinsey employee so I can apply it to my job! Looking forward for your reply.

[@AsthaKhare]

Hey I have recently started my Case Interview preparation and since I have not studied any management related subjects I am finding it really difficult to understand certain basic terminology. Can you do a video on that. I think understanding of basic concepts will help in developing and effectively using framework. Thank you!!!

[@AsthaKhare]

+MConsulting Prep I am just referring to words that differentiate a layman and the consultant or a person with business degree, like target segmentation, positioning etc.

[@shanelwhite3700]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJixm3mdmK2bndU

[@QisCasanova]

Thanks a lot for the structured information~!

[@sheronvirani9946]

This is awesome. This is so freaking awesome! Thank you for making this video. P.s that voice!!! Haha

[@jonchiu8818]

Great video! I was wondering when will the Math video be uploaded?

[@sandraezidiegwu3076]

Hey, I have just recently become interested in consulting and I possibly could be having an interview in less than 10 days. What's your best advice to be better prepared for this so that I can ace the interview process. Thanks!!

[@omarkayal5336]

Thanks for this!

[@bluerednight]

That was wonderful. Thanks for a great video:)

[@benedettagiungi288]

Hey Kim, your content is just so valuable for anybody, not only for those who are approaching consulting interviews! Very well done! I was wondering if you could suggest any of your videos/your colleagues' ones/websites related to interpersonal skills development, such as the ones needed in sales careers for example? Thanks a lot, Bye

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Well, I would say: study some psychology. To me, this is one of the most underrated aspect of sales and of business in general. Everywhere there's people-people interaction, psychology can help. ^^

[@juyoungha1820]

Thank you very much. It's really helpful!

[@LauraHerreroGonzalez]

Thanks very much for this, really helpful. Just wondering where is the PDF? I can only see lot of links to the website, however no link to the PDF itself. Thanks in advance

[@trevorjones6189]

Hey Kim, Thank you for the videos - this has been very helpful. I am also interested in the application you use to put all of your videos together? I am not sure if it is prezi or otherwise.. regardless, all of your presentations/videos are very well edited and visually pleasing.

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Thank you for the nice comment. We use a number of different visual software, depending on the specific specialist's preference. Some uses prezi, some use aftereffect, some even use PowerPoint ... I guess after all, software doesn't matter ^^

[@cagliesi]

You stated that examples of good business publications were listed below, yet I can't seem to see them? :)

[@ronakpai3894]

Thanx a lot....really helped a lot as I needed some basics! thankyou!! Really appreciate it

[@MConsultingPrep]

You're very welcome!

[@reetasingh5906]

Gratitude for your knowledge sharing sir

[@puravshah100]

Hi, can you help me find the links for the business publications from MBB that you mentioned in the video?

[@adamyatripathi2743]

This is awesome!! Keep up the good work. I got an internship credits to you!!

[@winnies1001]

Can't seem to find the links to the publications you mentioned in the video :/

[@elika8294]

Great video and the whole channel as well! :) Very helpful

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Thank you Elika ^^. Keep on watching^^.

[@fabiolaespinoza6796]

Hello! Where could I find Mckinsey Publications! Thanks

[@seeinside06]

Super helpful. Thanks a lot.

[@prasuncdas]

This is an excellent video for dummies 👍

[@vinse6448]

Love it! Thanks!

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Great! ^^

[@librarystudyntour]

You saved my life.

[@radicaltp]

Thank you , a great video

[@ihabziyad8611]

useful video , I will tray to apply these information in my country Libya , THANKS

[@atichatl5133]

Thank you !!

[@nikhilgarg3735]

Awesome Sir....Its really Very heplfull for me.....:)

[@rosielam8923]

where is the link of McKinsey BCG publications?

[@parnaz67]

Thank you !

[@jamestan8542]

Awesome introduction ! Thank you !

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Awesome comment. Thanks ^^

[@LTlondon]

Great content ! For an executive position where you give actual feasible and actionable solutions, should you ask to have an NDA for your ideas if you’re not taken for the position?

[@MConsultingPrep]

Surely you can do that! I believe that every consulting firm (and even in other fields) should keep the candidates' answers confidential and be used for the purpose of assessment only!

[@user-gj8ri4no3o]

thank you for the video!!!

[@philipdodson7870]

Decrease in revenue and increase in cost can both happen at the same time, therefore I would say they are not mutually exclusive. It appears to me the "good method" is collectively exhaustive, but not mutually exclusive.

[@vplp1931]

Agreeded. I thought of both 1st layer parts having the same 2nd layer parts. F.e. weak managment could both cause less sales revenue and higher costs. And even the first layer parts could be caused by each other... Lesser sales revenue (because of a higher price) could be caused by higher costs. >.

[@philippejurdit6647]

Excellent video

[@stooleet5369]

starts at 1.40

[@SudheerKumar-zh3ii]

hey! thanks for starting such a series... I personally need one. had a consulting interview a few months back which I flunked after about 5 rounds... could really use some help in trying out again. :)

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Yeah ... please do! ^^ Keep fighting ;)

[@betterleader]

Thank you for the video. Which business publications do you suggest we read?

[@MConsultingPrep]

Those from McKinsey, BCG, and Bain themselves. Check their websites out ^^.

[@sayeedalvi2100]

Can you make a video on Data Science case interviews like BCG GAMMA DS interviews ?

[@thecyberneticsimpleton5606]

Hi! Thank you for making this video. I have a case study based interview coming up for a marketing manager role. Do you think this technique would be applicable for that?

[@MConsultingPrep]

Which firm are you applying for? Generally, consulting (MBB) problem solving methodology is the high standard that many industries look up to (that's how they keep hiring consultants). So even if your industry has a slight different style, you can't go wrong by doing it the consulting way. Hope that helps ^^.

[@thecyberneticsimpleton5606]

@@MConsultingPrep Makes sense. I am interviewing at Amazon. I am definitely going to learn more about the MBB technique! Thanks!

[@abhishekshashidhar2038]

hi Kim! A really helpful video. thanks. do you have any tips and tricks to crack business school case interviews also? if you do please share

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

hum ... I would say in general any case interviews are pretty much the same but the difference are mostly in the evaluation. I hope you can get a sense that through this channel I tried my best to not just provide you guys the specific tips, but to help you understand the mindset of the whole consulting industry, so you can react in any situation. So when it comes to business school cases, it is important to understand the mindset of schools ... which I need more information to really say anything more specific. ^^

[@ashutoshkumar3659]

In simply... Awesome... Thanks a lot

[@MConsultingPrep]

Most welcome 😊 ^^

[@eQuiLLity]

I am watching to prepare for Bain SE Asia.

[@shivalisharma7085]

I am engineering student and I am in my 6th semester I wanted to go for consulting jobs. Please help me out how can I prepare for that jobs in 6months. I know it can be at junior level but I am ok with that I am very much interested in consulting jobs.

[@TheBichha]

Haizz ... wish I knew this video sooner

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Hizz ... wish we did a little more aggressive marketing ^^

[@yifengqin3206]

Thank you Kim. This is extremely helpful. But I have a question. Do you provide mock interview service ?

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

At the moment, no :(. Sorry, we have so many things on our plates right now and we need to work on issues that benefit a large number of candidates.

[@yifengqin3206]

Thank you all the same.

[@jianxiongji4699]

thank you

[@mrsceltics]

Thank you for creating and posting this video!

[@ankitasaxena5891]

Thank you ❤️

[@MConsultingPrep]

You are very very welcome ^^.

[@athena7071]

This is a fantastic video and was super useful! Many thanks. A few questions: 1.When you say math skills, do you mean data interpretation? 2. How big a role do those math skills play if one is applying to McKinsey to work on 'Governance' and 'Development' related consulting? McKinsey has a center for Government. Consulting firms like Dalberg/ FSG are based on development work for example. How similar are the contexts? Does the evaluation of the candidate vary if the contexts are different? Thanks a again :)

[@athena7071]

Aah, guess I'll have to work on strengthening my quantitative skills then. Thanks for your reply :)

[@vishalkung]

Amazing Tran Nice Video

[@reggie1289]

very good video

[@thepilotracer]

Thanks for sharing

[@MConsultingPrep]

You bet! ^^

[@lavinacolaco4303]

Thanks Kim. This was really very helpful.

[@tribui1836]

Nice video and useful content. Can I ask what software you used to make this kind of video?

[@anshulchouksey]

+Tri Bui go to prezi.com/ and it is free for students

[@tribui1836]

Thank you!

[@andrewcbuensalida]

Can i use prefilled frameworks during my interview?

[@kishorimonukumari2979]

what was the question when we go and take interview, or when we find on internet what was the question we ask to the users,I want to learn Which type of question we ask, I know we ask ..'w' family question but I. could understand the question.....

[@jatinderchopra9935]

legend

[@MConsultingPrep]

I hope you were talking about me :p

[@ammu.live100]

Sir I'm an arts student preparing for consulting. Sir how to prepare for case interviews as I don't have fundamental knowledge of management like marketing, corporate finance, operations etc. Then how can I prepare, which books or study material should I prefer that starts from the basic in easy Language. Sir Please reply

[@MConsultingPrep]

Hi Ammu, check out this video. We made it specifically for you ^^. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHe0kGd8rb2Ao5I

[@ammu.live100]

Thanks a lot sir

[@paulorosolen8742]

Hey, guys. Anyone can tell me where to find these business publications he talks about? Thanks in advance

[@MConsultingPrep]

Here we go. Enjoy!! ^^ www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights www.bcg.com/featured-insights/thought-leadership-ideas www.bain.com/insights/

[@paulorosolen8742]

@@MConsultingPrep thank you so much!

[@bored8715]

Is case study the same as case interview

[@MConsultingPrep]

Well, study and interview are never the same ^^

[@coryfitz8013]

you misspelled disorder

[@OMGmyFACE]

Cory Fitz and "student body _if_ a course."

[@scottwasson]

You wrote "heart disorter"

[@therealritchy]

DAMN, MAYBE THIS JOB IS NOT FOR ME

[@maabrar8577]

could you please help me, I'm just 12 (high school) passed out

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

How can I help you, dear? ^^

[@natashadas5280]

If you want to find a case partner or are looking for any consulting related advice, these WhatsApp groups are a great place to start your search! Beginner: lnkd.in/dr7rtKC Advanced: lnkd.in/dxdnY6i

[@tinawen4559]

something is wrong " Case Interview Prep Playlist kzbin.info?list... " this does not work.

[@Max-px5ym]

5:40 wrong. Decrease in sales revenue and increase in costs are not mutually exclusive. You have many companies currently suffering from both

[@MConsultingPrep]

Actually, it is ;) The case you mention that there are companies suffering from both, I agree with that statement. The root causes of the problem can lay on many sub-branches, not just one. However, suffering from both does not mean that the 2 branches are overlapped with one another. The case here is that: there are 2 mutually exclusive problems and the companies you mentioned are suffering from both. Hope this helps!

[@Max-px5ym]

@@MConsultingPrep it does help, thanks for clarifying :)

[@Nick-jz9yz]

"disorter".

[@savluo2811]

Hi I am Sav. I wonder if you've received my resume, as I have sent it multiple times but I was informed that the emails did not reach you by your staff. If you still have not received it, please let me know. Thanks!

[@jasonmunger8409]

This is a little unrealistic because In-n-Out burger is amazing and would NOT have falling profits. :-)

[@lamp2k06]

your vids are great, but your website is just too expensive!

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

Hi Lamp2k06, we really did our best to deliver the best product that (in our opinion) add more value than what it costs. But we do understand that some will find it more difficult to afford than others. Therefore we do have the Financial Aid program. Just go to our website, writes us a few words ... We will do our best to help. Thank you^^

[@JankyPatel]

What's a 'heart disorter' (3:42)? I'm only familiar with 'heart disorders'.

[@alanpdrv]

heart disorter

[@bharathganeshkumarb9023]

How does increase in cost and decrease in revenue fit in as MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE...!!! They're only collectively exhaustive..

[@francescospagnolo8168]

Well, that's true. A drop in profits can be caused by both revenues decrease and/or cost increase, so that profit is not necessarily affected by one branch OR the other. It's more an "and/or" situation. But they are MECE in the sense that decreased revenues or increased costs are not caused by common factors (i.e. drivers are different and do not overlap). All in all, they are not MECE as causes of declining profits, but MECE as two broad categories that can be analyzed as a standalone branches not interacting with each other. But, as you said, the root causes can be multiple and lay in both of the two branches. Does it make sense?

[@huuthientran6778]

"My name 's Kim Tran" sounds like a Vietnamese name :v

[@sonjadods2270]

4:54 what about non-binary students? :)

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

haha ^^ ... good job ^^

[@phatkatmeowmeow]

thank you

[@kimmconsultingprep482]

^^

[@jasonmunger8409]

This is a little unrealistic because In-n-Out burger is amazing and would NOT have falling profits. :-)