At Pariveda, university students interviewing for a full-time role are asked to complete a group analytical case as the final step of their interview process. Our group case is often the first time students encounter something like this in an interview setting, and I’d like to lessen any feelings of stress that may evoke by giving you a better idea of what to expect.
What is a group case interview?
The group analytical case allows us to see how your brain processes a real-world problem while working with others. At the beginning of the interview, we will pair you with other students and ask you to work together to come up with a solution to a problem within a given amount of time. This environment mirrors the small team dynamic our Pariveda Consultants experience. We will observe how you break down the problem and communicate your thought process with your team. Toward the end of the interview, you will present your solution as a group to a small panel of interviewers. This panel of interviewers will then ask you questions based on your team’s solution. The problem you will be asked to solve is something that most people have experienced or seen in a movie, so remember to apply your experiential learnings when solving. Explaining your thought process and how you reached your solution will help us better understand your problem-solving capabilities.
What you can expect on the day of your case
Our group analytical case takes place virtually to allow you to work with 1-2 other students, allowing us to see different backgrounds, personalities, and thought processes working together to develop a collaborative solution. On your interview day, ensure you are in a place that allows you to focus and has a reliable internet connection.
When you first join the virtual interview room, your facilitator, usually a Talent Acquisition team member, will greet you. They manage the logistics of the day, navigate any potential technical issues, help ease your nerves, and set you up for success. Also on the call will be your case teammates. I emphasize the word teammates because while you all might be interviewing for what you think is the same position, remember that part of the purpose of this step is to see how you interact with others. This step is not meant to be a gladiator-style interview where you compete against each other, with only one person victorious at the end! The goal is that you and your teammates can all collaborate effectively and bring each other along in your solutions as you take this final step in the interview process.
The entire group case interview takes about 3.5 hours to complete, which seems like a long time, but it will go by quickly. If possible, we recommend blocking off the rest of your day to let you mentally unwind after the case wraps up.
Introductions and logistics
The first 30 minutes will consist of your facilitator going over day-of logistics, last-minute advice, and ensuring you and your teammates have what you need before the official start. We also like to give you and your teammates time to get to know each other in a private breakout room. We aim to eliminate any sense of competitiveness and allow you to get to know a potential future colleague.
Case prep begins
After the intros and logistics are over, the clock officially begins. Once we provide you with the case materials, you will have 30 minutes to read the materials and document your questions. I recommend reading through the materials individually before discussing your understanding of the problem or any possible solutions with your team. Then as a group, document your questions about the case material in preparation for the Q&A period.
Q&A
At the 30-minute mark, one of the interviewers will join the virtual interview room to answer your questions about the case materials. The purpose of this Q&A period is to provide support and make sure your team has a good understanding of the problem. Think of this time as a “Phone a Friend” lifeline where there are no silly questions. There is a lot of ambiguity in the case problem, so you may hear some answers like “It depends” or “Make an assumption.” You’ll have up to 30 minutes with your Q&A interviewer, and while you don’t need to take up this entire time, we strongly encourage you to ask all the questions you have. Even if you feel like you know where to start, ask questions that confirm your line of thinking to ensure you have a clear understanding of the problem.
The final hour of prep
Once the Q&A period wraps up, you will have an hour of uninterrupted work time. Your facilitator will remain online but off video to observe how your team works together. Is the team dividing and conquering without coming back together to bring each other up to speed? Is one person taking charge and not allowing others to share their opinion? If there is a disagreement, are teammates being respectful, or are they bulldozing others? This is your chance to demonstrate how you work in a team environment. As the time comes to a close, your facilitator will give you a 15-minute warning. Use these last few minutes to organize your final thoughts and determine who will present which parts of the solution.
Presenting your solution
Before the interview panel joins the virtual room, you will have a 10-minute break before you present. When you rejoin the virtual interview room, your interviewer panel will be present and eager to meet you and hear your solution. When presenting, start by stating your understanding of the problem and the assumptions your team made to ensure the panel understands the approach you took and any constraints you worked within. Your interviewer panel may save their questions for the end of the presentation, or they might jump in and ask questions throughout. Remember that a question from an interviewer doesn’t necessarily mean you have the right or wrong answer; instead, they are asking questions to challenge your thinking and understand the depth of your understanding of the problem. They may also change parts of the problem, add more constraints, or remove assumptions to see how you think on your feet. Interviewers may also ask questions to help lead you to the correct answer, so listen intently to what they are asking you.
As your group responds to the interviewers’ questions, be mindful of how much you contribute so we hear from all team members. If necessary, take a few moments to internally process before answering. Once you and your team are done answering questions, your interviewer panel will say their goodbyes, and then your facilitator will walk you through the next steps and wrap up the day.
In summary, the group analytical case interview is an opportunity to challenge yourself while collaboratively solving a problem with others. Don’t hesitate to contact your recruiter with any further questions or concerns. We are here to support you and want you to perform your best!
