The case interview recommendation: how to close in under a minute

How to give the final recommendation in a case interview: answer first, three reasons with numbers, risks and next steps. Template and example. 5 min readUpdated 12 November 2026By the Prepper team

The recommendation is the last thing the interviewer hears and often what they remember when they write their notes. It should take 45 to 60 seconds and start with the answer.

The template

Part	What to say	Length
Answer	What the client should do	One sentence
Reasons	Two or three, each with a number from the case	Three sentences
Risks	The one or two things that could make you wrong	One sentence
Next steps	What you would do in the next weeks	One sentence

Example

The CEO of a cement producer walks in and asks whether to invest €300m in carbon capture.

"My recommendation is not to commit the full €300m today, but to get ready to. First, at today's carbon price of €80 a tonne, payback is about eight years against your five-year limit. Second, the investment meets that limit only above roughly €107, and the expected 2030 price is about €110, so the case is close. Third, there are cheaper cuts available now. The main risk in waiting is a fast rise in the carbon price. As next steps I would apply for subsidy, finish the engineering and permits, and test whether customers will sign low-carbon contracts."

Work through the numbers in the carbon capture case.

Rules

Take a position. "It depends" is not a recommendation. If the data is mixed, say what you would do and what would change your mind.
Use the numbers you found. Three figures are enough.
Do not retell the case. The interviewer was there.
Ask for 20 seconds to collect your notes. Nobody minds.

If you ran out of time

Give the recommendation anyway, based on what you have: "From what we have seen so far I would lean towards X. To be sure I would still check Y."

Mistakes

Starting with "So, we looked at the market, then at costs...".
New analysis in the middle of the recommendation.
No risks, which sounds overconfident.
Next steps that are vague, such as "do more research".

Frequently asked questions

How long should a case interview recommendation be?
About 45 to 60 seconds: one sentence of answer, three of reasons, one of risks and one of next steps.
What if I am not sure of the answer at the end of a case?
Still take a position based on the evidence so far, and name what you would check to confirm it.
Should I summarise the case before my recommendation?
No. Lead with the answer. A recap wastes the time in which the interviewer forms a final impression.

How long should a case interview recommendation be?

About 45 to 60 seconds: one sentence of answer, three of reasons, one of risks and one of next steps.

What if I am not sure of the answer at the end of a case?

Still take a position based on the evidence so far, and name what you would check to confirm it.

Should I summarise the case before my recommendation?

No. Lead with the answer. A recap wastes the time in which the interviewer forms a final impression.