Most companies start recruiting in early fall... so start preparing for interviews now!

If you’re aiming for consulting, summer is the perfect time to start prepping. Here’s the exact roadmap I followed to build confidence and structure:

📚 Step 1: Learn the Basics
I kicked things off by reading Case in Point by Marc Cosentino (hint: there are FREE online versions too). It helped me understand the basics, specifically common case formats and master key frameworks like profitability trees and the 3Cs. This built my foundational problem-solving skills and gave me insights into what case interviews are actually like, from structuring to solving complex problems under time pressure.

🧍 Step 2: Solo Practice First
Before jumping into partner work, I practiced around 10 full cases alone. This built my casing skills and helped me internalize the structure and pacing of real interviews.

🤝 Step 3: Find a Partner & Mentor
I joined a Facebook prep group and found a consistent case partner to practice with.
I also met a Deloitte consultant through a coffee chat who became my informal “case mentor” — giving me feedback and strategic guidance along the way. This goes to show the importance of building real relationships with people you coffee chat with. Once you build a strong connection, it can go a long way. she actually offered to help me through case prep and all i had to say was yes!

🎯 Step 4: 50+ Live Mock Cases
Together with my partner and mentor, I ran through 50+ live mock interviews.
We started with market sizing cases and gradually tackled harder formats like profitability, M&A, and market entry.

📺 Step 5: Study the Pros
I watched expert mock cases on YouTube from top firms like BCG and McKinsey.
This helped me refine my structure, communication style, and learn how top candidates think out loud.

4 key lessons I learned along the way:

After 50+ cases and countless hours of prep, here are the biggest lessons I’d share with anyone getting started:

1. Mental Math Is Underrated!
You don’t need to be a calculator, but you do need to be quick with percentages, basic division, multiplication, and ballpark estimates.
I used an app called FigureFlash to practice — and I still do. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s speed, confidence, and staying calm under pressure.

2. The Final Answer Doesn’t Matter That Much
This surprised me. Interviewers don’t care if you say the market size is $7.5B or $8.2B.
They’re watching how you think, how structured your process is, and whether you can pivot logically when something unexpected comes up.

3. Always Explain Your Assumptions
Don’t just say, “Let’s assume 10% of users convert.” Say why you chose that number.
Was it based on industry benchmarks? Personal intuition? A simplifying assumption to keep math manageable?
Explaining your reasoning builds trust and shows clarity of thought.

4. Case interviews —> a sneak peak into consulting
Honestly, I came to enjoy case interviews, not just as a prep exercise, but as a realistic preview of the job.
It mimics actual client work:
You’re asked questions on the spot, like “How would you grow revenue in this market?”
You think out loud, defend your ideas, and adapt as you go, just like you would in a boardroom or client pitch.

Who’s hiring?

Technology:

Consulting:

Finance: