Strategy Simplified

A case interview can come down to the final moments. Explore a three-part closing built around a sharp recap, one decisive recommendation, and a thoughtful look at risks and next steps. Learn how this structure can showcase clear thinking, strengthen your delivery, and potentially rescue a borderline score.

Send us Fan MailBig 4 interviews are around the corner – and most candidates need 6–8 weeks of prep to be ready.Mitali Jalan spent years at Deloitte and Bain, then coached 400+ candidates. She sees one gap sink strong applicants again and again: they practice 1-on-1 cases and never practice the other formats the Big 4 use.Think group cases, written cases, presentations, and AI-assisted or Excel cases.And behavioral prep matters just as much – at some firms, it carries equal weight to the case.So if your interview is coming up, this episode shows you where to start.Resources:Black Belt builds your prep plan around your gaps and your interview dates, with feedback from coaches who've sat on the interviewer side of the tableNot sure how much time you have or whether Black Belt fits? Book 15 minutes with Katie and she'll tell you straightConnect With Management ConsultedCreate a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep todaySchedule a free 15min consultation with the MC TeamWatch the video version of the podcast on YouTubeFollow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTokJoin an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Ugo Philippart, an AI and data consulting leader at Emerton Data, and Damien Chan, an Adastra executive focused on enterprise transformation, unpack why most AI pilots never reach production. They explore governance, data readiness, ROI, adoption, trust, performance measurement, ownership models, and how AI is reshaping consulting careers and entire business functions.

Katie Neff, a former BCG consultant and interview coach, joins George Cary, a former McKinsey consultant who conducted 100+ interviews. They unpack three case math mistakes that derail strong candidates: solving the wrong problem, going silent during calculations, and stopping at the number. Explore how to structure calculations, communicate clearly, sanity-check results, and turn math into actionable business recommendations.

Divya Agarwal, a former McKinsey associate partner and case interview coach, runs a live consulting case with Penn senior Sanya. They tackle slowing kitchen-gallery sales, compare market expansion opportunities, pinpoint a weak conversion funnel, and build a recommendation. Divya then explains why Sanya would pass Round 1 and how to sharpen structure, math, creativity, and final recommendations.

Consulting demand is surging across healthcare, energy, and private equity, but firms are running into a serious capacity crunch. The discussion explores why hybrid talent is scarce, how mid-market firms are squeezed by giants and boutiques, and why AI buyers want proof of real economics. It also examines energy infrastructure growth, profitability-focused PE diligence, and the durable advantages of specialized expertise and proprietary assets.

The final countdown is on for the Case Competition World Cup, with free applications closing Sunday at midnight. Learn how teams of four to five can gain access to top employers, resume reviews, finalist presentations, and live judge interaction. Mark Cosentino returns, while students from every major are urged to assemble a team and apply.

BCG is racing to recruit forward deployed AI engineers and scientists, offering a top salary of $190,000 and a September 17 application deadline. Explore what client-site engineering means, how these roles challenge consulting’s traditional model, and why Big Tech’s hiring pullback has opened a rare talent window. McKinsey and Deloitte are pursuing similar strategies, while technical skills must be matched by strong communication and executive presence.

Adobe’s Nick Hilton, a certification and product marketing leader; Tyler Tu, a technology training expert; and Brian Au, a customer experience product manager, explore the booming demand for Adobe Experience Cloud talent. They discuss MarTech careers, certification, AI’s role, breaking in without a technical degree, and Adobe’s hands-on Case Competition World Cup.

Langston lands unexpected McKinsey and BCG interviews after striking out before, then nearly responds with a punishing 10-hour-a-day cram plan. The conversation explores how to prepare in just three weeks, build on existing skills, target weaknesses, balance self-study with coaching, and avoid burnout while getting ready for multiple interview rounds.