Case questions as part of job interviews

A case question is asked at a job interview. Your interviewer gives you an example of a business dilemma facing a particular company.

The example will be given either verbally or in written format. Your interviewer will give you some basic facts and then ask you an open-ended or specific question.

You will be asked to:

• Analyse the situation.
• Identify key business issues.
• Discuss how you would address the issues.

A case question may take one of these formats:

• You may only be given basic information and then have to solve the problem based on this.
• The interview proceeds as an open dialogue between you and the interviewer. You may ask questions to uncover key information and move towards resolution of the problem.
• You may be given a pack of information to work on (eg, company reports, financial statements, graphs) and be asked to report your findings to the interviewers.

• "You are heading part of a government task force looking into whether to introduce electric cars into New Zealand. As the head of this project, what would you do?"
• "You are part of a consulting team working on re-launching a supermarket product which is losing market share. How do you approach this problem?"
• "The government has decided to abolish Day Light Savings. As part of a consulting team advising on this change, what steps would you need to take?"

Listen
Listen carefully to the question. Take notes if allowed.

Summarise
Summarise the question to ensure you have understood. This will prevent you from answering the wrong question.

Ask questions
Analyse the problem and ask questions. Asking questions demonstrates that you’re confident enough to take the initiative. Asking questions creates a conversation. This is more interesting to the interviewer than listening to a monologue.

Prepare your answer
Stay focused on the question. Manage your time well. Don't get so caught up in the detail that you can't get to the resolution. Don't get side-tracked. Don't rush. Don't try and get to the resolution and ignore the process. Be creative in your thinking. Try and offer a fresh new perspective.

Give your answer
Think before you speak. Be enthusiastic and positive. Structure your answer. Quantify your answer if possible. This demonstrates that you are comfortable with numbers. Be aware of the interviewer’s response. Read their body language. Do they look interested? Are you on track? Summarise your findings and make recommendations.

Remember:

• There is no "right" way of approaching case questions.
• There is not one correct answer to case questions.
• You are demonstrating that you can think in a logical process.
• Practice is the key.

Employers ask case questions to:

• Measure your ability to solve problems — how you identify, structure and think through problems.
• Examine your creativity in coming up with solutions.
• Measure your ability to cope with ambiguity.
• Test your communication skills, eg:
  • Explaining yourself clearly.
  • Articulating an argument under pressure.
  • Summarising and articulating your conclusions.
• Test your listening skills.
• Test your ability to think on your feet.
• Measure how you cope under pressure.
• Examine your thought process and logic.

Management consulting firms, research industries, marketing companies, consumer product management and investment banking.

Case questions are often used at assessment centres as part of a group exercise.