What makes an interview case study submission "Good" vs. "Great"?

To elevate your case study submission from "Good" to "Great," focus on excelling in multiple dimensions that top consulting firms prioritize. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s what you need to know:

1. Logical Thinking:

   • Ensure your analysis follows a clear, structured, and logical flow.
   • Your conclusions should directly address the key questions posed in the case.

2. Math Ability:

   • Demonstrate strong quantitative skills by performing accurate calculations and presenting them clearly.
   • Use charts or tables to make your data-driven insights more digestible.

3. Insightfulness:

   • Go beyond surface-level observations. Highlight unique insights or implications that show a deep understanding of the problem.
   • Propose actionable recommendations that are both creative and practical.

4. Cleverness:

   • Showcase innovative thinking by identifying opportunities or solutions others might overlook.
   • Use frameworks effectively but adapt them to the specific case rather than applying them rigidly.

5. Communication:

   • Your deck or document should be visually appealing, concise, and easy to follow.
   • Use an executive summary to outline your key points upfront, ensuring logical consistency throughout the slides.
   • Avoid clutter—limit your main deck to 10 slides and place additional details in the appendix.

6. "Owning" the Case:

   • Take initiative by filling in gaps in the provided materials and creating 2-3 slides from scratch if necessary.
   • Present a compelling narrative that ties all elements of your analysis together.

7. Next Steps Slide:

   • Include a "Next Steps" slide proposing further analyses or actions. Use action verbs and ensure the steps are actionable and relevant.

8. Format Familiarity:

   • Be well-versed in the expected format and structure of case submissions. This is table stakes, but any misstep here can hurt your score.

To truly stand out, aim to score "Great" in several of these dimensions, not just one or two. Many candidates crack the case but fail to differentiate themselves because others excel across multiple areas.

Sources: Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, Private Equity Interview Questions - 13 Topics to Know