Mckinsey_Interview_Workshop.ppt

Interview Preparation Workshop,February 18,2003,AGENDA,Introductions&overview,10 minutes,Structured case,15 minutes,Q&A,15 minutes,Personal experience interview,15 minutes,WHAT McKINSEY DOES DRIVES WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN CANDIDATES,McKINSEY ASSESSES CANDIDATES ABILITY AND POTENTIAL IN FOUR BROAD AREAS,TWO TECHNIQUES ARE USED IN ASSESSING CANDIDATES IN THE FIRST ROUND OF INTERVIEWS,Structured case,McKinsey day 1,Personal experience interview,Team meeting,Todays focus,One-on-one verbal caseFocus on real-time problem solving,Written case based on client studiesLonger format with last hour an interactive discussion with a McKinsey interviewerSimulates the first day of a study,Background interviewIn-depth exploration of candidates experience,focused on the individuals contributions in 1-2 situations,Cooperative exercise in which a group of candidates discuss a specific topic and come to consensusCandidates are evaluated individuallyDoes not require business knowledge,FormatAssessmenttechniquesPurpose,THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS WILL INVOLVE TWO ROUNDS,AGENDA,Introductions&overview,10 minutes,Structured case,15 minutes,Q&A,15 minutes,Personal experience interview,15 minutes,Why give a case?,What is a case interview?,A problem to be solved in the context of a real-world business situationUsing logical reasoning and creativity,candidates are asked to arrive at a reasonable solution,To evaluate the way you deconstruct a problem and communicate with othersTo observe real-time“thinking on your feet”To gain insight into how you handle ambiguityTo assess your comfort with numbers,WHAT IS A STRUCTURED CASE INTERVIEW?,Ability to ask good questionsAbility to structure unclear problemsClear,logical reasoningCurious,probing mindCreativity in generating optionsBasic numerical agility/comfort with numbersPractical business sense,common senseAbility to synthesizeAbility to see the big picture,WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN CASE ANSWERS?,Effective communicatorSelf-confidenceOpen mind,Ability to think through problems,Ability to build working relationships,A GOOD APPROACH TO CASE INTERVIEWS INVOLVES FOUR STEPS,Ensure complete understanding of the question/problemListen closely to problem definitionAsk questions to improve understandingParaphrase to confirm problem statementSome information may be less important,Develop a plan to solve the problemDescribe your overall approachBreak the problem into discrete pieces/issuesState crisp hypothesesUse framework only if appropriate,Request information and test hypothesisWalk the interviewer through your thinkingPrioritize issuesState your hypothesisAsk for a few relevant factsState findings for your analysisRefine your hypothesisProbe further if necessary,Synthesis findingsSummarize the discussionDevelop overall recommendationsDiscuss trade-offsRelate back to problem statementSuggest next steps,Profits,EXAMPLE-STRUCTURING A“PROFIT”QUESTION,OTHER EXAMPLE ISSUES TO THINK ABOUT IN UPFRONT STRUCTURE,What are costs compared to competitors?How do they vary with volume?What are they likely to be over time?,THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN PREPARING FOR YOUR STRUCTURED CASE INTERVIEWS,Practice several cases to get comfortable with the formatRelax!Listen(take notes if you wish)Organize your thoughts,structure your ideasExplain your thought processWork from hypotheses(guess a little;be creative)Gather and analyze key facts dont be afraid of the numbersBe flexible with your approach if the interviewer wants to explore other areasPush for a conclusionDont let yourself get frustrated,AGENDA,Introductions&overview,10 minutes,Structured case,15 minutes,Q&A,15 minutes,Personal experience interview,15 minutes,WHAT IS A MCKINSEY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INTERVIEW?,Leadership,Impact on others,Achieving,The key to a successful PEI interview is to describe in detail what you did,During the Personal Experience Interview you will be asked to describe examples from your past that illustrate your skills in one or more of the following broad areas:,WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE PEI?,During the Personal Experience Interview you will be asked to describe examples from your past that illustrate your skills in one or more of the following broad areas:,LeadershipAbility to provide leadership and direction to others Does not necessarily mean you were the“official”leader,Impact on others Having an impact on others through influencing them,AchievingSet and achieve a challenging goal,THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN PREPARING FOR YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INTERVIEWS,Prepare,prepare,prepare(have more than one experience that you could talk about for each of the three attributes).but avoid reciting“canned”examples(answer the specific question asked)Focus on what you did,not what your team as a whole didSpeak in the first personProvide some structure for your answerBe thoughtful and self-reflectiveBe prepared for the interviewer to interrupt and redirect you through your story,AGENDA,Introductions&overview,10 minutes,Structured case,15 minutes,Q&A,15 minutes,Personal experience interview,15 minutes,