1. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 Business Case Interviews

2. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 1 Case Interviews Used in addition to traditional CV Interviews to: Test a candidate in a “life like” situation (cases are chosen to fit organizational/job requirements) Evaluate ‘hard’ as well as ‘soft’ behaviors (cultural fit with the organization, professional demeanor) Competency and skill driven (business acumen, stress management, abstract thinking) Corroborate statements made in CV and during other interactions (“ I was a VP of strategy”) Better compare candidates with different profiles applying for the same position Simple and straight forward if you: Understand who is your audience (company, industry, interviewer, job, expectations) Listen first talk later, ask questions, take notes Make sure to have most of your tools before ‘jumping in the water’, know how/when to regroup and be ready for a ‘sequel’ Tell as story with a beginning, a body and an end Understand that you are evaluated in more than one dimension (and never know exactly which ones these are…) Relax, be yourself, you are buying as much as you are selling!

3. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 2 Types of Case Interviews Short / Teasers Short A lot of Information Little Information Long Structure / Logic / Numbers Creative / Analytical Business Cases Case Interviews Life like situation / Industry case Conceptual case Random fact analysis Estimation case Parade of Facts Great Unknown Situation case / Role play Real example from company / interviewer Expect attention to details / specific answers How many blue washing machines were sold in Canada last year? What is the angle between the hands of a clock when it is 18h45? Why are computer screens rectangular? Why do airport trashcans’ holes is smaller than the average lunch box?

4. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 3 Before getting started... The interviewer assumes you did your homework, it is not just a sign of interest and professionalism but basic common courtesy. Do you have a copy of your CV, a pen, pencil, calculator? Will you need a glass of water? Did you get some “insider information” from your Career Management office? Did you research the company, industry? Any important recent new worth knowing? Do you know what job you are applying for? Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? Don’t apply for jobs you know you are not qualified for! Do you know what type of job you want? What type of company you want to work for? Do you know what your value proposition is? Your differentiating factors? If you apply for the wrong job and get hired, everybody looses If you apply for the right job and get hired, everybody wins! …If you apply for the right job and don’t get hired: Evaluate your performance and learn from the experience Seek coaching and advice Re-evaluate whether it is the right job…

5. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 4 Tips and Guidelines The beginning of the case interview Determine whether it is a long or short case, understand expectations and deliverable(s) Adapt your analysis and answers accordingly: Do not give a 30min answer to an teaser case, nor a single sentence answer to a business case Take brief notes while the interviewer is talking, but make sure to pay attention (you will think about the answer later..) Recap to make sure you understand, be courteous and spell out your moves (I would like to recap, can I ask you a clarification question?..) Take a couple of minutes (not 10 minutes!) to write some notes and outline your approach before starting to respond Be organized from the very beginning so you can follow your own trail; it also shows how you structure your work (maturity, professionalism..) The interviewer wants to see how you get to an answer more than seeing you get to the right answer (if there is one) If there is a flipchart or a white board don’t hesitate to use it (ask first); if there is a calculator –hint- you may need to use it. If there is no calculator –hint- use your own brain! Write legibly and in large characters, be ready to hand over your notes Don’t just write, also DRAW, use your toolbox

6. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 5 Tips and Guidelines The body of the case interview During your preparation time, focus on key words / steps and map a quick strategy: consider the deliverable of the case, time and resources Only use the information needed to get to an answer. Not all the information is needed, and some may be missing… Don’t be intimidated by big terms and acronyms: it is allowed to not know everything! Once you have a structure develop the case with the interviewer to make sure you are spelling out every one of your steps Always check for body language, comments and tips from the interviewer; but don’t get obsessed about it: be sure of yourself When possible use easy to calculate numbers : When to use “Jungle Math”? STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE You are going for more ‘just than an answer’: show you organization skills, the tools and underlying theories you are using During this part of the interview, you are ‘in charge’, you need to take some control of the direction of the discussion, the time and the key messages Be ready to regroup, use every piece of information you get during this phase to adjust you approach Check your time, if you make a mistake or get blocked, ask for help and move on

7. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 6 Tips and Guidelines The end of the case interview Soup first, desert later… Make sure you actually came to an answer and that this was clear to the interviewer If time allows, expand on the answer by tying to a real life case (personal experience) Show that you understand the big picture as well as tactical details If you are applying for “Soldier”, show that you can be a good one; then demonstrate that you have the potential to be a “General” Keep a couple of questions about the organization, the work and things that are important to you for the end of the interview (wise to save 5 minutes at the end for that) Show a confident and positive demeanor at all times!

8. Inhouse ConsultingThunderbird Case Interview Discussion Phoenix, March 6, 2006 Business Case Interviews