A good case coach should help you diagnose weaknesses, improve specific skills, and understand the standard expected in real consulting interviews. Coaching quality varies substantially, so evaluate the individual rather than relying only on credentials.
Qualifications to Look For
- Relevant experience: Former consultant, interviewer, recruiter, or highly experienced case coach.
- Teaching ability: Can explain why an answer is weak and demonstrate a stronger approach.
- Diagnostic skill: Identifies recurring problems rather than offering generic advice.
- Relevant familiarity: Understands the firms, roles, and interview formats you are targeting.
Questions to Ask
- What is your consulting and interviewing background?
- How do you diagnose a candidate’s weaknesses?
- What happens during a typical session?
- What should I practice between sessions?
- How will we measure improvement?
Typical Coaching Formats
Diagnostic session: One mock case followed by detailed feedback.
Skill-focused session: Targeted work on structure, math, synthesis, communication, or another weakness.
Mock interview: A realistic case with minimal intervention until feedback afterward.
Warning Signs
Be cautious of coaches who guarantee offers, rely heavily on memorized scripts, provide vague feedback, pressure you into large packages, or cannot explain the reasoning behind their advice.
Final principle: Choose a coach who makes your weaknesses clearer and your practice more targeted. Strong coaching should create measurable improvement, not dependency.
