Tips from the Other Side of the Table

Updated January 28, 2025 | Argopoint Consulting

How to Ace the Case Interview: Advice from Professionals 

Many top consulting firms use case interviews to assess job applicants. These interviews are often a source of anxiety for undergraduates and all other first-time candidates. However, this does not need to be the case. 

Jason Winmill, Argopoint’s founder, has over 30 years of experience working in management and strategy consulting, and has lectured about case interviewing at Harvard College and Harvard Business School. Over his decades of experience, Jason has conducted thousands of case interviews with candidates from top schools, including Harvard Business School, Wharton, and Yale. 

Here are 10 tips on how to ace your case interview based on Jason's decades of experience on both sides of the table. 

What is a case interview?

Case interviews are interactive conversations during which you will be given an operational or strategic business challenge based on actual client projects. Based solely on the provided set of facts and your own business acuity, you must make assumptions, structure your thinking into a decision framework, and form your own hypotheses about how to best solve the given business challenge. 

This process is meant to evaluate your business acumen, creative thinking, problem-solving, and inherent ability to think on your feet. Case interviews also test your mental math skills by forcing you to build defensible recommendations based on sound quantitative analysis in a limited amount of time. Although there is never a "correct" answer to a case, you are required to communicate your thought process clearly and demonstrate highly structured and sound analytical thinking. To get in the mindset for case interview success, read on for 10 specific tips from an experienced industry professional. 

The case interview should answer a few critical questions about you for the interviewer: How do you approach complicated, unstructured problems? Are you able to effectively evaluate data for your analysis in a timely and accurate manner? Can you communicate your thought process and analytical framework clearly? Are you creative? Do you think ‘outside the box’? 

1. Pay attention to the interviewer.

You could be speaking with a senior leader or a junior team member. They might be warm and conversational, or more reserved and to the point. Some interviewers genuinely enjoy the process, while others may not—and occasionally, an interviewer might simply be having an off day. 

Tip: Gauge your interviewer’s style. Observe their demeanor and adjust your approach accordingly. If they prefer small talk or want to dive straight into business, mirror their lead. Remember, the insights they share are designed to guide you, so stay attentive and use their cues to your advantage. 

"Keep in mind that you will be evaluated on a comprehensive basis, including critical thinking skills, analytical capabilities, and problem-solving aptitude." 

2. It’s about more than just the math.  

Many first-time interviewees focus heavily on getting the math right, often overlooking other critical factors. Remember, your evaluation will be comprehensive, considering your critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities. While strong quantitative skills are valuable in consulting, they won’t take you far unless you can apply them effectively in a business context. 

Tip: Show your interviewer that you can do more than solve math problems. Demonstrate how you use your results to form insights and guide decisions swiftly. Highlight your broader analytical abilities beyond just numbers. Making a mistake is okay, but as Marc Cosentino, an expert on case interviews, notes, "don't make the same mistake twice. If it's twice, it's a pattern and if it's a pattern it's a problem." 

3. Show enthusiasm and genuine interest in the conversation 

In a case interview, you're presented with business challenges similar to those faced by consultants in real-world scenarios. This is your chance to prove not only that you can handle these challenges but also that you find the work engaging—an indicator that you'd be a strong fit for the consulting industry. 

Tip: Let your enthusiasm and energy shine through in your conversation with the interviewer. This demonstrates your passion for consulting. Approach the case interview as an exciting challenge. After all, case interviews are designed to reflect real-life consulting scenarios. Embrace the experience! 

4. Focus on the bigger business problems.

You’re not expected to be an expert in every industry. Don’t worry if you're unfamiliar with the specifics of the industry you're asked about. What interviewers are really looking for is your understanding of business fundamentals and your ability to tackle real-world business challenges. 

Common Case Interview Topics: 

• Market Sizing 

• Operations Strategies 

• Mergers & Acquisitions / Market Entry 

• Business Design & Innovation 

• Performance Improvement 

Tip: Concentrate on broader business issues that apply across industries, such as declining profitability, merger integration, or boosting market share. Start by summarizing the case—this helps break the silence, gives you time to organize your thoughts, and sets the stage for a structured response. 

5. Structure the Problem, But Avoid Forcing Frameworks 

Many firms and professionals recommend using established frameworks to structure your approach. This can help clarify your thought process for both you and the interviewer. However, be cautious about rigidly applying a framework that doesn't fit the situation. Forcing a misaligned framework can reveal gaps in your problem-solving approach and signal a misunderstanding of business fundamentals. 

Tip: Familiarize yourself with key business frameworks like Porter's Five Forces and traditional microeconomic cost structures. Additionally, reading high-quality publications such as The Economist and The Wall Street Journal daily will expose you to real-world business issues, solutions, and industry insights.   

6. Keep It Simple 

You don’t need to address every detail presented in a case. While recognizing multiple issues shows depth of thinking, trying to tackle them all at once can waste valuable time without bringing you closer to a solid answer. 

Tip: Focus on the most critical information. Once you've identified the key factors in a case, direct your attention there. Ask questions that target the core issues and don’t stress over less important details. Also, avoid rushing to conclusions—even if you're confident in your answer, remember that interviewers value your problem-solving process as much as the final solution. 

7. Ask smart questions 

Interviewers are interested in observing how you navigate ambiguous situations. Asking too many questions can suggest uncertainty in handling real-world business challenges, while asking none at all may imply a lack of curiosity or engagement. The key is to strike a balance—ask thoughtful, relevant questions that are directly tied to the issue at hand or your proposed solution. 

Tip: Show leadership and initiative by asking questions that help connect the dots, not just to fill gaps in information. Focus on questions that deepen your understanding of the problem and move the conversation forward. Think of it as a problem-solving dialogue—targeted, specific questions will provide valuable insights and demonstrate your analytical thinking. 

8. Clearly communicate your thought process 

One of the main goals of the interview is to assess your problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills. To showcase these abilities, articulate your thought process clearly and outline the steps you took to reach your solution. 

Tip: Walk the interviewer through your reasoning thoroughly. Explain how you arrived at your assumptions and why your questions are relevant to the case. Remember, there's no single "right" answer—it's your approach that matters most. Use notes, diagrams, and graphs to stay organized. It's perfectly acceptable to pause and reflect before responding. Talk through your thinking but always maintain a structured approach. 

9. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

If business problems had simple solutions, there wouldn’t be a need for consulting firms. Companies seek consultants precisely because they require innovative, creative solutions that go beyond the obvious. 

Tip: Embrace creative thinking and approach problems from fresh perspectives. While it’s important to think outside the box, always ground your ideas in common sense and sound business judgment. Balance creativity with practical, actionable insights that demonstrate strong business acumen.  

10. Show genuine interest in the firm 

Remember, an interview is a two-way street. While the firm evaluates you, it’s also an opportunity for you to learn about the company, the interviewer, and the consulting industry. Use this chance to engage in meaningful conversation, gaining insights into the firm’s culture, projects, and daily work environment. 

Tip: Be authentic and express genuine interest in the firm. Make the interview interactive by asking thoughtful questions about the company’s past, current, and future projects. If the firm specializes in legal operations, for example, show curiosity about that area. This not only helps you stand out but also demonstrates your enthusiasm and dedication. 

Above all, relax and enjoy the experience. Interviewers are looking for candidates with the skills and qualities needed to succeed—they want you to do well. The best candidates are genuinely excited by the challenges consulting offers, so view your case interview as an enjoyable challenge and a unique opportunity to learn more about the firm. Good luck! 

Contributed by: Jason Winmill and Simmone Seymour