Rebecca Smith-Allen
Former McKinsey Engagement Manager
If you dream of becoming a management consultant, you may have started researching how to pass the challenging case interviews firms use to grill recruits. You might even realize that case interview books are a whole category of books on Amazon.
Which case interview book will give you the best shot at landing a consulting job offer?
Your decision just got easier.
Davis Nguyen, former Bain consultant and founder of My Consulting Offer, shares his proven approach to passing the consulting case interview in his just-released book, Case Interview Decoded. It covers the same process My Consulting Offer uses with its coaching clients, one that’s helped over 800 clients land consulting jobs with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, the Big 4, and other top consulting firms.
While other case interview books cover acing the interview, Case Interview Decoded also dives deep into how to write an outstanding consulting resume and cover letter to make sure you land the interview in the first place.
Buy Case Interview Decoded on Amazon!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What’s inside Case Interview Decoded
- The learning resources readers will get
- My Consulting Offer’s methodology for acing cases
- How Case Interview Decoded stacks up against the competition
Let’s get started!
What’s Inside Case Interview Decoded
Case Interview Decoded is 282 pages filled with insight into the consulting industry and how to land a job in it. It includes:
- An insider’s view of what it’s like to work in consulting
- What the consulting recruiting process looks like with tips to help you write the strongest application possible so you’ll land interviews
- My Consulting Offer’s proven approach for cracking case interviews
In addition, there are links throughout to invaluable bonus materials. These include:
- A quiz to help you assess whether consulting’s right for you
- A template for writing your consulting resume
- A list of upcoming consulting firm application deadlines
- Resources for getting up-to-speed on business formulas and case interview math
- And much more!
If you’d like one-on-one help with your consulting application or case interviews, there is information on how you can apply to work with one of My Consulting Offer’s coaches.
The My Consulting Offer Methodology for Acing Cases
The My Consulting Offer approach breaks case interviews down into 4 parts:
- The Opening: Where you make sure you understand the business problem you’re expected to solve and ask clarifying questions about the client or its industry.
- The Structure: Where you break the problem down into its key component parts, outlining your roadmap for solving it.
- The Analysis: Where you dive into each component of your problem-solving structure one by one, asking detailed questions and doing any calculations or brainstorming required along the way.
- The Recommendation: Where you summarize the outcome of your analysis and what it means for the decision your client needs to make.
My Consulting Offer’s approach to cases emphasizes mastering one element of the case at a time. Sure, the opening is easier than structuring your approach to solving the problem. So why not just knock it out?
Get great at that, and then focus all your energy on learning how to structure case interview questions like a consultant. That way, you can get great at each part of the case, one at a time, rather than just getting okay at everything.
Why is this important? Because being “okay” at casing will not land you the job offer. The competition is just too stiff.
My Consulting Offer also has a distinct approach to writing consulting cover letters. It focuses on researching the values of the consulting firms you plan to apply to. By understanding their values, you can determine whether or not they align with your own values. And, if they do align, you can communicate that clearly. This will give you an excellent argument for why you should get one of the few interview spots over thousands of other applicants.
[EXCLUSIVE FREE TRAINING]
Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.
How Case Interview Decoded Stacks Up Against the Competition
You’re probably thinking, “Of course My Consulting Offer is going to tell me their book is great. But why should I believe them?”
Davis approached writing this book as rigorously as he has his clients structure their approaches to solving a case interview. He looked at other case interview books on the market to figure out what was missing so he could ensure Case Interview Decoded beat them all.
While a couple other case interview books are strong on how to ace the case, they only spend a couple pages telling you how to land the consulting interview. This is a big fail because thousands of people apply for the limited interview spots at top consulting firms every year. It doesn’t help if you practice casing but never make it into the interview room.
Case Interview Decoded dedicates 14 chapters to the consulting recruiting process, writing your consulting resume, and writing your consulting cover letter. It also digs deep into dealing with any “red flags” that might come up in your application. These are things that could get your application tossed in the “no” pile without any real consideration. They include a low G.P.A., a gap in your work history, and other issues.
In addition, Case Interview Decoded spends 7 chapters giving you the inside scoop on what the consulting industry looks like and how to assess whether consulting is right for you. This is important. Why spend weeks practicing case interviews just to land a job you won’t enjoy?
So obviously, Davis pulled out the stops to give consulting recruits the book they need to land an offer. But it’s not the only good case interview book out there.
You don’t need to buy Case Interview Decoded, but make sure you research the case interview books you’re considering. They aren’t all good.
Here’s a chart outlining A-list case interview books, ones that are so-so, and ones you should pass on based on My Consulting Offer’s research:
Early Praise for Case Interview Decoded
“I wouldn’t be at McKinsey without you guys. Having a low GPA and coming from a non-target liberal arts school, I thought I had a 0% chance of even having my application looked at.” – McKinsey Associate (landed offers at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG).
“I wish I had this resource when I was applying the first time around. I regret not using your resources when I applied before and glad I did the second time.” – Boston Consulting Group Consultant (rejected 1st time when applying on her own)
“This book might force us to change how we do hiring.” – Bain Partner
What are you waiting for? Buy your copy of Case Interview Decoded now!
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In this article we’ve covered:
- What you’ll learn by reading Case Interview Decoded
- The bonus resources you get in this case interview book
- My Consulting Offer’s methodology for acing cases
- Case Interview Decoded: How it stacks up against the competition
If you’d like to read more about careers in the consulting industry or about My Consulting Offer’s methodology for landing consulting interviews and acing the case, check out these articles:
Still have questions?
If you have more questions about case interview books or Case Interview Decoded, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s recruiters or case coaches will answer them.
Help with Case Study Interview Prep
Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for information on which case interview book will help you prepare for your consulting interviews. My Consulting Offer has helped 89.6% of the people we’ve worked with to get a job in management consulting. We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Brenda, who had limited time to prep for her interview was able to get her offer from BCG.
We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too.
If you want to learn more about how to ace your case interviews, schedule a free call with a member of our team. We’ll show you how you get an offer without spending hundreds of hours preparing.
[EXCLUSIVE FREE TRAINING]
Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.