Case Study Strategies

How top executives approach “quick projects” without wasting 10+ hours

Projects are now a standard part of executive interviews — and they often consume far more time than expected. Based on insights from Whispered Pro members, here’s how to assess, clarify, and execute them to stand out without getting taken advantage of.

1. Assess the Investment Before You Start

Before rolling up your sleeves, ask yourself:

• Am I a top candidate? Your time is valuable. Confirm you’re a serious contender before investing heavily.

"In a tough hiring market, case study assignments are being given earlier in the process. So whether you're a top candidate may be hard to assess. Being given the assignment isn't evidence that you are indeed already a top candidate. Consider asking the hiring manager/recruiter."

• Is the investment worth it? Projects are key decision points in the funnel. Estimate the time required and weigh it against your confidence in the opportunity.

Pro Tip: Ask directly where you stand in the process before accepting the project.

2. Don’t Just Do the Work — Engage and Clarify

Most candidates go heads-down on the project. Top candidates use it as a conversation starter.

Before starting, request a short alignment call with the hiring manager (10–15 minutes) to:

• Clarify the problem and context

• Build rapport with the hiring manager

• Signal that you value mutual investment

If they won’t make time for you — that’s a data point.

Ask insightful and tailored questions:

• What’s the core challenge you’re hoping to learn about through this project?

• What concerns or gaps should I try to address?

• How many candidates are at this stage? Am I a top contender?

Use this to read their culture and communication style. Are they responsive? Clear? Respectful of your time?

Avoid blind submissions.Always confirm you’ll have a live discussion to walk through your work. If they refuse, reconsider the investment.

"Top candidates always ask for time to discuss the project before going too far. When you ask for time, remember: you are on the clock. Tailored, smart questions can accelerate your candidacy. Going through the motions or asking generic questions will set you back.” - Exec Recruiter

3. Doing the Work (the Smart Way)

Every project is different — but the best candidates follow these principles:

• Answer the prompt directly. Don’t pivot or reframe unless you’re clearly the frontrunner.

• Use AI strategically. It’s fine to accelerate your draft with AI, but infuse your perspective and tone. Avoid “vanilla” outputs.

  • A good tactic also is to ask the company "Is it ok to use AI for this project". They will almost always say yes but it puts you in control and makes sure there are no surprises

  • Make sure to have AI be self-critical and poke holes in your project. If you ask it to evaluate its own output it will result in better work.

• Leverage data provided, request data OR create your own data set. Some case studies include a data set. If you don't get one and it feels appropriate to the exercise you can ask for a data set or use AI to create a data set.

"Companies don't have accurate data and often the data they are feeding you they don't know well. You can create your own data set which will really blow them away." Whispered Alumn

• Don't just create a deck, create a dashboard/app. Assume every other candidate will use AI so you need to differentiate yourself. A recent Whispered graduate shared with us how she took a project and used Replit to create a dashboard to operationalize her analysis. Here are some tips

  • Tools like Replit and Lovable allow you to create a distinctive dashboard/app

  • This approach moves you from a generic deck to an interractive demo

  • Take the project analysis from AI and data set (see above) and use this as a prompt to create a dashboard

  • Work through the analysis using your dashboard and have several inquiries/analyses prepared to show in your presentation

  • Share the link afterwards as it is likely it will get forwarded both to the panel but also other executives and your future colleagues who will have a great impression of you.

"Companies are looking for builders, not leaders - even at the executive level. Creating your own app (especially for more senior candidates) can be extremely effective at heading off this objection." Whispered Alum

• Add one “plus-one” idea. A bonus slide or insight that shows original thinking goes a long way.

• Get peer feedback. Whispered members often share drafts with peers — it sharpens quality and reveals blind spots.

4. Additional Considerations

• Don’t worry about protecting your work. Senior candidates know that ideas flow freely; confidence, not control, builds trust.

"Share your doc/presentation/app but don't allow downloads. As long as you are in process, you can track the views. If they exit you from the process, turn off sharing / unpublish the app - If the company wants to keep accessing your work they will have to contact you for access;)" Whispered Alum

• Expect some reuse. Companies may adopt ideas you present. If they do it without hiring you — that’s their mistake, not your loss.

• Watch for red flags.

  • Unclear direction → poor leadership.

  • Long project timelines → lack of respect for candidate time.

  • No feedback → bad communication culture.

• Curate your own portfolio. You may be asked to share work you have done in the past so keep copies of great decks / projects. These often can be shared to help companies understand how you think and preempt the need for a case study.

Closing Thought

Projects are less about the work and more about the interaction.Handled right, they let you show judgment, leadership, and curiosity — the traits companies actually hire for.