Case Interview Tips

Roland Berger believes that in order to be a successful consultant you need to not only have strong analytical skills, but also be able to present and defend your results in a challenging and realistic situation. In order to assess your ability to handle both situations, your Final Round includes a case presentation to a group of our consultants representing a hypothetical client.

This case format is designed to answer some of the following questions for the interviewer:

• Do they possess the analytical skills to quickly deconstruct a problem and come up with a plausible solution?
• Can the candidate handle the time pressures that are often a part of the consulting experience?
• Can the candidate think on their feet? Are they capable of engaging a client in a discussion?
• How are the candidate's presentation skills? Can the candidate convey quantitative data and complex qualitative ideas in a way that can be understood?

The candidate will be given a packet that holds all the background information necessary to answer the case, the questions the presentation should answer, materials necessary to construct slides (typically transparencies or blank pages of paper with pens or markers), and a calculator. No outside materials are to be consulted. The candidate will have 45 minutes to prepare for a 20 minute presentation.

A few important tips to doing well on the case:

• Roland Berger final round cases often include quantitatively-driven analysis (profit/loss, NPVs, etc.). We understand time constraints may result in additional pressure to develop accurate results. However, it is important for candidates to have numbers within a reasonable range of the correct calculation. Candidates should conduct a "gut check" to make sure their answers are logical, given the case's information.
• The goal of the case is not to see if candidates can make attractive slides. Although the slide's ability to convey information is important, the final round should not be considered a drawing contest.
• Not every thought can go on a slide. Candidates should focus on ensuring the slides express key messages and data points. Candidates will be able to provide additional commentary during the case's discussion.
• Consultants often have to be equally mindful of what and how information is given. Remember to RELAX. Like in traditional cases, candidates who show the ability to keep their poise under pressure are often successful.
• As consultants we are expected to be knowledgeable on the topic but humble enough to know we won't have all the answers. Candidates should actively engage the interviewers and turn the presentation into a discussion.