Case Interview Prep Links

8/13/2019 Case Interview Prep Links

1/6

About Case Interviews

What is a Case Interview anyway?

Simulation of a business problem. Similar to what our associates encounter every

day.

Series of open-ended questions. Theyre designed to stimulate your conceptual,quantitative, analytical and most importantly creative abilities.

There are several types of cases. Each designed to assess different skills.

Classic Case

o Should an organi!ation add capacity"

o #ow should an organi!ation react to a new competitor"

o Should an organi!ation enter$e%it a new$old mar&et"

o 'easures

(our broad functional s&ills

(our big-picture perspective

(our comfort with detail and analysis

What are we looking for?

)ogical s&ills

*nalytical$reasoning s&ills

Conceptual problem-solving abilities

Critical path thin&ing

+le%ibility

What do we mean by

roblem-solving ability"

o Can you identify the &ey issues of the case while accurately and

methodically reaching the solution"

Critical path thin&ing"

o Can you use clues that build on each other while staying on trac& and

focusing on whats relevant"

+le%ibility"

o Can you adapt your answers to a changing situation"

Capital One Confidential/ProprietaryCapital One does not provide, endorse, nor guarantee and is not liable for third partyproducts, services, educational tools, or other information available through this site. ead additional disclosures.

1 Updated 10/2/2011
http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1


2/6


What do yo! need to bring?

(our logical business sense.

o #ow do decreasing marginal costs affect profitability"

o /hat effect will fi%ed costs have on the result"

(our mathematical aptitude.

o +rom basic mathematics to 0

*lgebra

robability

/eighted averages

1nit conversion

(our strategic interpretation s&ills.

o Can you ...

2nterpret your answers impact"

*ssess alternatives"

3eep a grasp on the 4big picture5 as well as the minor details"

(our presentation s&ills.

o Can you ...

Clearly state your thoughts and synthesi!e information"

6%plain how your answer changes in the face of changingvariables"

7efend your answer"

"o! will be solving real#life problems with real#life ob$ectives%

8perational efficiency ma%imi!ation roduct profitability

'ar&et e%pansion$product development

+inancial decision ma&ing

rofit ma%imi!ation

9rea&even points

Strategic pricing and planning

What Case Interviews &re '(T%

:ot a means of intimidation

:ot the only deciding factor

:ot easy


2 Updated 10/2/2011


3/6


& )ample Case%

9ac&ground 2nformation

o (ou are a manager at a company that mar&ets various products and

services and that is loo&ing to diversify.o (ou receive some information that indicates maga!ine publishing may be

interesting.o (ou are considering developing a new maga!ine but are not sure how

profitable it might be.

What are some of the issues you must consider when evaluating the business?

Things to consider

o 7efining the target mar&et

o Competition ;< of competitors, fragmentation, brand name=

o 9uild off of core competencieso 9arriers to entry

o 9usiness cycle stage

o 'ethod of measuring viability

o 8pportunity cost

The next step is to understand the economics of the business. What are the profit

drivers in the magazine publishing business?

'ain profit drivers of the publishing business include ...

Sources of evenue Costs Subscriptions rinting

:ewsstand sales 7istribution

*dvertising Content development

Customer lists 'ar&eting$promotions

2nternet

Through some initial research you have been able to determine the following ...

o (ou can charge >?@ for an annual subscription of @A issues

o )ets ignore newsstand sales for nowo (ou can generate >B in advertising revenue per issue for each subscription

o rinting and distribution costs are >B per copy per issue

o Content development costs run >B million per year

o )ets ignore mar&eting e%penses for now


! Updated 10/2/2011


4/6


How much profit will you generate a year from one incremental subscription?

Subscription revenue per year >?@*dvertising revenue per year >@A

>B$issue % @A issues(early production and distribution costs >@A

>B$issue % @A issuesProfit from one incremental subscription = $25

$25 + $50 - $50

How many subscriptions do we need to sell to break even?

rofit ;contribution margin= >?@ per subscription'aga!ine content development >B million per yearBreakeven = $1 million/$25 = 40,000 subscriptions

What about marketing costs?

(our company has e%pertise in direct mail solicitation so you decide to use thatmethod to mar&et your maga!ine.6ach piece of mail costs >.@A.(ou are able to achieve a ?D response rate.

How much does it cost you to sign up a subscriber?

Cost per subscriber calculation

Cost of mailing$response rate cost to sign up one subscriber>.@A$?D >?@ per subscriber*nother way to calculate cost per subscriber

*ssume you mail offer to BAA peopleCosts >@A ;>A.@A % BAA people=esponders ? ;?D of BAA=Cost per responder >@A$? or >?@

How will this affect your breakeven calculation?

:ew brea& even calculation

8ld contribution margin 'ar&eting costs :ew contribution margin:ew contribution margin >?@ - >?@ >A8uchE


Updated 10/2/2011


5/6


What can we do to make this venture better?

Some possible considerations

aise subscription prices

aise advertising rates educe production costs

2ncrease response rate

'a&e each response matter moreF consider renewals and multi-year

subscriptions

&dditional Case Interview Tips%

Stay confident stay cool

Show enthusiasm not frustration

9e thorough avoid mista&es

*s& questions

Show your stuff

&dditional Case Interview *eso!rces%

/ebsites

o http$$www.Goinbain.com$apply-to-bain$interview-preparation$default.asp

has sample cases you can practice.o http$$www.quintcareers.com$caseHinterviewHresources.html has different

resources including boo&s on case interviews.o

www.casequestions.com is all about case interviews.

Credit Card Terms

o http$$www.creditcards.com$credit-card-news$credit-card-glossary-terms-

first-credit-card.php

9rea&even analysis

o http$$fastIcast.com$brea&-even-calculator.asp%

o http$$accountinge%plained.com$managerial$cvp-analysis$brea&-even-

point-equation-method

Capital B Case

o http$$www.capitalone.com$careers$interviewprep$analyst$interviewing$cas

eHinterview.php"lin&id///HJHJHJHJH#AHAKHTHC2*2C

Consulting Terms


" Updated 10/2/2011
http://www.quintcareers.com/case_interview_resources.htmlhttp://www.casequestions.com/http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-glossary-terms-first-credit-card.phphttp://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-glossary-terms-first-credit-card.phphttp://fast4cast.com/break-even-calculator.aspxhttp://accountingexplained.com/managerial/cvp-analysis/break-even-point-equation-methodhttp://accountingexplained.com/managerial/cvp-analysis/break-even-point-equation-methodhttp://www.capitalone.com/careers/interviewprep/analyst/interviewing/case_interview.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_Z_H0_03_T_CIAIChttp://www.capitalone.com/careers/interviewprep/analyst/interviewing/case_interview.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_Z_H0_03_T_CIAIChttp://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1http://www.quintcareers.com/case_interview_resources.htmlhttp://www.casequestions.com/http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-glossary-terms-first-credit-card.phphttp://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-glossary-terms-first-credit-card.phphttp://fast4cast.com/break-even-calculator.aspxhttp://accountingexplained.com/managerial/cvp-analysis/break-even-point-equation-methodhttp://accountingexplained.com/managerial/cvp-analysis/break-even-point-equation-methodhttp://www.capitalone.com/careers/interviewprep/analyst/interviewing/case_interview.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_Z_H0_03_T_CIAIChttp://www.capitalone.com/careers/interviewprep/analyst/interviewing/case_interview.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_Z_H0_03_T_CIAIChttp://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1


6/6


o http$$managementconsulted.com$core-content$dictionary$

8ther Sites

o http$$careercenter.tamu.edu$guides$interviews$case.cfm"

snprospectivestudentso http$$www.acethecase.com$

o http$$www.bcg.com$GoinHbcg$interviewHprep$interactiveHcase$default.asp

%o http$$www.imahal.com$careers$management$interviews$interviewsHcaseHt

actics.htmo )everage www.youtube.comand search 4case interviews5

9oo&s

o ault !ui"e #o #e %ase &ntervie'by Mark sher! "ric #hung! and

The $taff of %ault

o %ase &n Point, %omplete %ase &ntervie' Preparationby Marc &.#osentino


# Updated 10/2/2011
http://managementconsulted.com/core-content/dictionary/http://careercenter.tamu.edu/guides/interviews/case.cfm?sn=prospectivestudentshttp://careercenter.tamu.edu/guides/interviews/case.cfm?sn=prospectivestudentshttp://www.acethecase.com/http://www.bcg.com/join_bcg/interview_prep/interactive_case/default.aspxhttp://www.bcg.com/join_bcg/interview_prep/interactive_case/default.aspxhttp://www.imahal.com/careers/management/interviews/interviews_case_tactics.htmhttp://www.imahal.com/careers/management/interviews/interviews_case_tactics.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1http://managementconsulted.com/core-content/dictionary/http://careercenter.tamu.edu/guides/interviews/case.cfm?sn=prospectivestudentshttp://careercenter.tamu.edu/guides/interviews/case.cfm?sn=prospectivestudentshttp://www.acethecase.com/http://www.bcg.com/join_bcg/interview_prep/interactive_case/default.aspxhttp://www.bcg.com/join_bcg/interview_prep/interactive_case/default.aspxhttp://www.imahal.com/careers/management/interviews/interviews_case_tactics.htmhttp://www.imahal.com/careers/management/interviews/interviews_case_tactics.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/http://www.capitalone.com/capitaloneplace/disclosures.php?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_GBLFO_FO_08_T_DIS1

Documents

Case Interview Prep Links