Final Round Interview - How to improve from feedback?

Ah, the quest for creativity in problem-solving – a classic challenge but also a fantastic opportunity to stand out in your final round interview at a T2 firm. Let's break this down into actionable steps, shall we?

1. Understand the Feedback: First off, it's great that the firm provided feedback; it shows they're interested in you. "Approaching the problem more creatively" suggests they're looking for innovative thinking, the ability to think outside the box, and perhaps a more diverse set of solutions to the problems presented.

2. Research and Preparation: Dive into the firm's recent challenges, their industry's trends, and any innovative solutions that have been implemented in their field or related fields. This will not only give you a solid background but also inspire creative solutions.

3. Practice Creative Thinking: Creativity is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. Try to solve business cases or problems by forcing yourself to think of the least obvious solutions. Use techniques like SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) to explore different angles.

4. Structured Creativity: In your interview, when presenting a creative solution, structure your thought process. Start with the traditional approach, then pivot to your creative solution, explaining why it's effective, the unique benefits it brings, and how it can be implemented. This shows you're not just throwing out wild ideas but thinking them through.

5. Mock Interviews: Practice makes perfect. Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on creativity. Ask for problems where you can apply creative solutions. Feedback from these sessions can be incredibly valuable.

6. Confidence in Presentation: When you present your creative solutions, do so with confidence. Believe in your ideas, and your enthusiasm will be contagious. Remember, creativity is not just about having a unique idea but also about convincing others of its value.

7. Prepare Examples: Have a couple of stories ready from your past experiences where you solved a problem creatively. This could be in academic projects, extracurricular activities, or even personal projects. Demonstrating that you've successfully thought outside the box before will lend credibility to your ability to do so in the future.

Remember, creativity in problem-solving is about connecting dots in new ways. It's about seeing the problem from a different angle and daring to suggest solutions that might initially seem unconventional. Embrace this challenge, and let your creative thinking shine in your final round interview. Good luck!

Sources: Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, Would appreciate some advice, How do you CRUSH your interviews?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/sa-interview-prep-techniques?customgpt=1, Superday Advice From a Tired Interviewer