Case Interview Questions and Answers

Wondering what a case interview is? This is a type of job interview where questions are asked with regards to how certain job scenarios are handled. Have you been told that you have one soon? No need to panic or worry, just relax. It’s pretty much like any other interview, but just a little more technicality is involved. Furthermore, make sure that you can answer the most frequently asked job interview questions.

In the process of a case interview, the interviewee is given a particular business situation to manage. This is usually one of the situations the potential employee would face in the company once hired for they’re being interviewed for. Keep in mind that the interviewer can ask you to solve brain teasers of answer questions that have no specific relation to what goes on in the company. This is just to test how you handle things you don’t completely understand and what your reaction is like. This type of interview might leave you feeling a little bit uncomfortable so, just make sure you take your time before answering the questions or solving the puzzles so your head will be in the game and you’ll be able to provide flawless answers.

What is the purpose of using Case Interviews?

A case interview is a method adopted by employers to test the problem-solving and analytical skills of interviewees. It is mostly used by management consulting firms and investment banking companies to conduct interviews. However, you should know that these case interview questions do not just have a one answer direct approach. Due to that fact that arithmetics and calculations are probably involved, there are many ways to go about it and arrive at the very same answer. This also means that there’s more than one way that’s acceptable in managing the situation.

For instance, you might be asked to determine the market audience for a newly released brand of shoe. You’ll notice that not much information has been given as to how you should approach the situation and so, it’s important that you ask pertinent questions that’ll lead you to the solution you seek. You might ask who the target audience is for the shoe, how much they, the medium through which they intend to be sold, etc. Make sure you ask any question that helps you shed more light in getting closer to the answer. You can come with the additional conclusion that the employee probably didn’t even think about. This shows you don’t mind going the extra mile to attain success in a particular situation.

Unlike other forms of interviews, you can make use of illustrations, charts, and graphs to substantiate your points

You don’t have to just stick to the conventional form of a verbal interview. You can make use of the Issue tree to illustrate and get the problem solved. Always keep in mind that the interviewer isn’t looking out for whether your answer is right or wrong, he’s much more interested in how well you arrived at your answer and the techniques and skills you used to do so.

A case interview can be considered as a dialogue between the interviewer and the applicant. A back and forth dialogue. It is very much expected that you communicate with the interviewer to clarify questions logically and sequentially to enable you to solve the problem effectively.

How to Answer Case Interview Questions   

Having an idea of what’s going to happen during your case interview will make it much more stressful for you because you won’t have to keep worrying about what you’ll be asked. Some of the tips you can use to answer interview questions are:

• Have a clear understanding of the question. Phrase and rephrase the questions you’re asked over and over again to have a clear understanding of it and ask more questions that’ll give you more information on how to answer better.
• No need for rushing. Make sure you take your time. Think through every question logically and take your time to analyze it before you finally give your best answer.
• Always explain as to how you came to your solution. Never forget that your interviewer is much more interested in the process of how you got your answer than the actual answer itself. They want to see how analytical you are.
• Keep it professional. The fact that this isn’t the conventional interview style does not mean you should play it off casual. Make sure you maintain the professional poise by sitting up straight, making eye contact with the interviewer and speaking audibly.
• Also, have fun! They want to know that you are not groggy when it comes to solving business problems. They want someone with enthusiasm who’s happy to do the job because this is practically what you’ll be dealing with every other day once you’re hired.

How to practice for a case interview

I’m quite sure that by now, you should know the power that comes with having enough practice ahead of time. If you don’t know, it is a very powerful process in attaining success in whatever you do. So, it’s very much the same in this case. There are many case interview samples made available online by companies and universities, so make sure to carry out research on them and practice endlessly to keep yourself prepared.

Keep practicing with everyone around you, either family, friends or if you have someone who’s experienced in this field and has a lot of knowledge, practice with them too. They might just give you exactly what you need to become out top in the interview.

When practicing, make sure you do so with a stopwatch by your side. You want to be very time conscious in your delivery so no matter who you’re practicing with or where you’re practicing, you want to learn how to be quick and precise with your answers.

I hope you’ve been enlightened on what Case interview is all about and what you have to do to get ready for it? Thank you for reading this episode. I can’t wait to give you to next tip to make you be successful in their interview and secure the job.

Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers

Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!

1. Accomplishments
2. Adaptability
3. Admission
4. Behavioral
5. Career Change
6. Career Goals
7. Communication
8. Competency
9. Conflict Resolution
10. Creative Thinking
11. Cultural Fit
12. Customer Service
13. Direct
14. Experience
15. Government
16. Graduate
17. Growth Potential
18. Honesty & Integrity
19. Illegal
20. Inappropriate
21. Job Satisfaction
22. Leadership
23. Management
24. Entry-Level & No experience
25. Performance-Based
26. Personal
27. Prioritization & Time Management
28. Problem-solving
29. Salary
30. Situational & Scenario-based
31. Stress Management
32. Teamwork
33. Telephone Interview
34. Tough
35. Uncomfortable
36. Work Ethic