(cid:223)‰» ˙–«fi (cid:221)¿›»r (cid:215)(cid:215)(cid:230) (cid:218)•”‹»»† (cid:211)–fi» (cid:221)–†›«·‹•†„ (cid:221)¿›»› 3rd Edition (cid:216)»·(cid:176)•†„ §–« ‡¿(cid:181)» ›‡¿fi‹»fi ‰¿fi»»fi …»‰•›•–†›(cid:242) (cid:201)»‹(cid:218)»»‹(cid:244)(cid:215)†‰(cid:242) The Folger Building 101 Howard Street Suite 300 San Francisco,CA 94105 Phone:(415) 284-7900 or 1-800-926-4JOB Fax:(415) 284-7910 Website:www.WetFeet.com (cid:223)‰» ˙–«fi (cid:221)¿›»r(cid:215)(cid:215)(cid:230)(cid:218)•”‹»»† (cid:211)–fi» (cid:221)–†›«·‹•†„ (cid:221)¿›»› ISBN:1-58207-472-0 Photocopying Is Prohibited Copyright 2004 WetFeet,Inc.All rights reserved.This publication is protected by the copyright laws ofthe United States ofAmerica.No copying in any form is permitted.It may not be reproduced,distributed,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form or by any means,in part or in whole,without the express written permission ofWetFeet,Inc. (cid:204)¿(cid:190)·» –” (cid:221)–†‹»†‹› (cid:221)¿›»(cid:243)(cid:190)§(cid:243)(cid:221)¿›» ˛«·»› ¿‹ ¿ (cid:217)·¿†‰»(cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:239) (cid:204)‚» (cid:215)†‹»fi“•»' ¸†(cid:176)·«„„»…(cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:237) Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Case Interview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 (cid:221)¿›»(cid:243)(cid:190)§(cid:243)(cid:221)¿›» ˛«·»›(cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:239)º Market-Sizing Cases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Business Operations Cases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Business Strategy Cases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Resume Cases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 (cid:204)‚» —fi¿‰‹•‰» ˛¿†„»(cid:230)(cid:239)º ˇ«»›‹•–†›(cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:238)(cid:231) Market-Sizing Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Business Operations Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Business Strategy Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Resume Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 (cid:210)¿•·•†„ ‹‚» (cid:221)¿›»(cid:230)(cid:239)º (cid:223)†›'»fi›(cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) ºØ Market-Sizing Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Business Operations Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Business Strategy Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Resume Case Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Tips from Case-Interview Survivors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 (cid:221)¿›»(cid:243)(cid:190)§(cid:243)(cid:221)¿›» ˛«·»› ¿‹ ¿ (cid:217)·¿†‰» Here’s a summary ofthe different types ofcases you’ll find in this report, along with some rules that should help you ace your answer. (cid:211)¿fi(cid:181)»‹(cid:243)˝•ƒ•†„ ˇ«»›‹•–†› • Use round numbers. • Show your work. • Use paper and calculator. (cid:222)«›•†»›› (cid:209)(cid:176)»fi¿‹•–†› ˇ«»›‹•–†› • Isolate the main issue. • Apply a framework. • Think “action.” (cid:222)«›•†»›› ˝‹fi¿‹»„§ ˇ«»›‹•–†› • Think frameworks. • Ask questions. • Work from big to small. ˛»›«‡» (cid:221)¿›»› • Know your story • Keep the Parent Test in mind. • Let your excitement shine! (cid:242) (cid:242) (cid:242) ¿†… (cid:204)‚fi–«„‚–«‹(cid:244)˛»‡»‡(cid:190)»fi • Don’t be afraid to ask questions. • Slow down. • Structure your thoughts. 1 (cid:204)‚» (cid:215)†‹»fi“•»' ¸†(cid:176)·«„„»… (cid:139) (cid:209)“»fi“•»' ¡ (cid:204)‚» (cid:221)¿›» (cid:215)†‹»fi“•»' 3 (cid:209)“»fi“•»' So,you’ve scoured theA ce Your Case!Insider Guide from WetFeet,yo’uve attended four company presentations on cracking the consulting case,and you still think you need a little more practice before yo’rue ready to start slam- dunking those consulting interviews.Good thinking! Ifther’se one thing we hear again and again from consulting recruiters (and candidates’s), itthat practice (and preparation) makes perfect.In this Insider Guide y’oll ufind a number ofpractice case questions designed to help you hone your case inter- viewing skills to a razor-sharp edge. One good sign:ifyou’ve already spent a lot oftime polishing your case-cracking skills and you still want more practice,yo’rue showing symptoms ofbeing a true consultant.We’ve been impressed by the number ofconsultants who confess that they actually liked the case question portion ofthe interview process.After all,ifyou ’re well-prepared and you like testing your hand at tough business problems,the case question will prove an excellent opportunity to differentiate yourselffrom all the other consultant wannabes in line behind you.Besides,if you really do like the case questions,ther’se a good chance that you’ll really love consulting work. Ace Your Case II: Fifteen More Consulting Casesis designed to be a companion volume toA ce Your Case!It offers more detailed explanations about different case types and more sample questions.W’eve also incorporated information from you,our customers,about what you’re hearing in the cubicle.Many ofour sample case questions here are based on real case questions that people fielded in recent interviews. 4