Case Interviews
What makes candidate-led cases difficult after the initial framework?
In candidate-led interviews, I often get through the opening structure and then struggle to keep the case moving. What is it that tends to make this part hard? I would like to understand what to practise rather than just do another familiar case.
Ian’s Answer
Honestly it depends.
I have one case that kills people because the prompt is a two-parter, unconventional, and has a “gotcha” hint that you have to pick up on to properly solve the case.
I have another case that has 5 exhibits that brilliantly connect together, but take a lot of work (and the right questions) to “unlock”. A lot of people struggle with case leadership here.
I have another with tricky (but not over-the-top) math that, once done, just exhausts the canddiate and they're at a loss as to where to go next (it throws them off).
It well and truly depends on the case.
The best way to prepare? Kind of like staying fit…keep throwing new exercises and curveballs at yourself to train your ability to adapt and react to anything that comes your way!