Case Interviews
How can I practise for case interviews when nerves hide my actual ability?
I'm comfortable dealing with clients at work, but case interviews make me look much more nervous than I usually am. It is especially noticeable during the maths, even though I can do it in practice. What can I change in my preparation so the interview is closer to my normal performance?
Ian’s Answer
Practice, practice, practice - just like playing an instrument, practice until it becomes second nature...then when you perform in front of an audience, muscle memory takes over from stage fright!
Practice with people who make you nervous - Don't keep casing yourself or casing with other candidates! You need to feel as nervous when practicing as you will in the real thing. To do so, you can do any (or all) of the following:
Ask for a buddy/case partner from target firms to which you're applying
Ask anyone you have a relationship with at your target firms to give you a practice case
Ask your school's career office to give you a case
Ask a coach to give you a case (and ask them to be tough/strict/non-friendly)
Still ask candidates to case you, but ask them to jump straight into it without conversation beforehand (i.e. simulate the real thing)
Change your enviroment - instead of casing at home, go to a library or office room. Changing the scenery may trigger you to be less relaxed
Practice with the unknown - ask people to give you "weird" cases. Ask people to throw everything they have at you (curveballs, confusing statements, etc.)...you'll get comfortable with tripping up (and recovering)
Practice fast math - You said you get nervous here...well, practice it until it's the easiest thing you've ever done! How? Use the following:
Online "Drills"
Math sheets (print these and do them on paper)
Rocketblocks