811: Look at long term (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
Release Date: 09/01/2025
836: How do you gain more experience? (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss how to gain more experience. Many candidates are declined with the suggestion to gain more work experience. Unfortunately, candidates take this feedback at face value. This podcast explains what this feedback means and suggests a vital shortcut to fix this problem. Hint, it does not require work experience at all. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: McKinsey & BCG winning resume free...
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835: Anecdotes on Poor Networking Calls (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
In this podcast we have listed some of the most common and most significant networking mistakes made by candidates. Since many of these have been made by clients, we have had an opportunity to discuss the mistakes, their motivations, the fall out and their response. Therefore, we can provide a comprehensive discussion on the implications of these mistakes. In general, no matter how badly a McKinsey partner networking call may go, you have little to fear. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: McKinsey...
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834: Harsh Partners (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
Being a young business analyst or associate on the receiving end of blunt and harsh feedback from a partner is a very jarring experience. However, it is also somewhat of a compliment. I never understand this very, very important point until my mentor, a senior partner, pointed this out to me when the managing partner gave me a very time about an initiative I was running. In hindsight, this was one of the most profound lessons I had in my consulting career, and the managing partner became a huge ally when I was up for partnership. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used...
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833: Using Storytelling in Cases (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
Storytelling is a very powerful technique to ensure someone remembers you after an interview. In fact, even when we screen people at Firmsconsulting today, we use this technique I applied as a partner. The rule is simple: if I can remember your key messages from the interview the next day, I would make you an offer. That, of course, assumes you had passed all the other hurdles well enough. One way to be remembered is to be your answers around compelling stories using the New York Times rule of facts, facts and facts with a beginning and end. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall...
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832: Five phrases to avoid (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
Communication and image in a case interview is governed by both what you say and how you say. It is true that how you say something tends to carry more weight. However, in some case, certain phrases should definitely be avoided because they cause much damage it is very hard to recover from them. We discuss them in this podcast. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here:
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831: How to Hold Networking Conversations (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
Networking calls/coffee chats are tricky. You should not be following the advice found for general recruitment. We insist our clients network with partners so most of the advice we provide is for networking with McKinsey and BCG partners. The reality is that partners are best equipped, and most influential, to assess a unique profile and make a judgement call on the spot. The danger is that if you do not impress the partner, you are very unlikely to go anywhere with further networking. The more atypical your profile, though, the greater the need to network with a partner, and the benefits far...
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830: Speed is the wrong focus area (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss speed. Far too many candidates focus on being faster. That is another myth. Speed is an outcome of having good technique. So if you are slow, deconstruct your technique, analyze weaknesses and develop a new way to solve arithmetic. That is key. Unless your technique improves aka "your process to solve math," you will never improve. We explain how in this podcast. Moreover, if an interviewer or practice partner indicates you are slow, think carefully if your technique can be improved,...
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829: Case length and details (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we dtalk about case length and details. When we ask candidates for more details in their resume, fit responses and cover letter, they always write longer sentences. There is an important difference between “more details” and “greater length". Most candidates are accustomed to spending just a few minutes on a thought and then writing up long and poorly structured sentences. When we ask for more details, we require more facts in the case interview or fit answer and this, crucially,...
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828: Career rotation vs. progression (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about career rotation vs. progression. Candidates always want to show improvement on their resumes in the months leading up to their applications. For those working in industry or rival consulting firms, showing leadership and career development is crucial. This podcast explains that career rotation, a lateral move at the same pay grade, is rarely a good idea unless it takes you to a part of the business where you can show leadership in solving a major problem. Career progression, a...
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827: Estimation = Brainstorming = Structures (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics)
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about the three core technical concepts around cases. We always teach clients estimation technique first, followed by brainstorming technique and finally full case technique. There is a simple reason for this, which is explained in this podcast. Estimations tend to be, but not always, a brainstorm with very few or just one branch. A brainstorm is therefore an estimation equation with multiple branches. A full case structure is a very large brainstorm with mini-brainstorms at each new...
info_outlineHow do you decide on which firm you want to join?
For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss the decision-making criteria for choosing a firm, the three levels of consultant, and the impact of learning from a senior partner in your career.
Here are some free gifts for you:
Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach
McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf
Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo