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Framing an engineer's project for a consulting interview

You run the case. Read the prompt, answer questions from the notes below, and share data only when the candidate asks for it or gets stuck. Score at the end.

Case timer

00:00

Target length:

1. Read the prompt aloud

Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.

Starting description: "I was a process engineer at a refinery and worked on the hydrotreater unit optimization, including catalyst regeneration scheduling."

2. Answers to clarifying questions

This case has no scripted clarifying answers. Answer from the prompt, and say "assume what you think is reasonable" if the prompt does not cover it.

3. A model structure

Compare the candidate's structure with this one. A different split can be just as good if it is clean and fits the problem.

  • Problem, what I did, result, in plain words
    • The business problem
    • What I did myself
    • The result in money or time

4. The working, step by step

Each step shows how a strong candidate works it out. Share a new fact from it only when the candidate asks or is stuck, and let them do the math: the result in the dark box is what they should reach.

  1. Step 1: The business problem

    What a strong candidate does: "One unit at our refinery was stopping too often for maintenance, which cost production."

  2. Step 2: What I did

    What a strong candidate does: "I analyzed three years of maintenance data, found the stops were badly timed, and proposed a new schedule to the plant manager."

  3. Step 3: The result

    What a strong candidate does: "Unplanned stops fell by a third, adding about USD 4 million of output a year."

  4. Step 4: The link to consulting

    What a strong candidate does: "That is the part I enjoyed most: finding the real cause in data and persuading people to change. I want to do that across many businesses."

The recommendation to listen for

At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"

The new version has no jargon, shows your own actions, gives a result in money, and links to why you want consulting.

Score the candidate

Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.

This case has no exhibit. Score Exhibit reading on how the candidate used the data you gave them: did they pick out the number that matters and say what it means?

Structuring
1
No clear structure, or a memorized framework that does not fit the problem.
3
A sensible structure, but with some overlap, a gap, or no clear priority.
5
A structure built for this problem, with no overlap and no gaps, a stated hypothesis, and a clear first step.
Math
1
Frequent errors, no units, or needed heavy help to finish.
3
Right answers but slow or messy working, or one error caught late.
5
Accurate and clearly narrated, with units, a sense check, and what the number means.
Exhibit reading
1
Read the chart aloud without finding the number that matters.
3
Found the key number but gave only part of the so-what.
5
Pulled the right number quickly and said what it means for the case.
Synthesis
1
Summarized what was done, with no clear answer.
3
Gave an answer, but with weak reasons or no next step.
5
Answer first, then two or three reasons with numbers, the main risk, and next steps.
Communication
1
Hard to follow: long silences, no signposting.
3
Clear most of the time, with some rambling.
5
Calm and concise, signposted each step, and checked in with the interviewer.

Total

0 out of 25

Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.