Bain experienced hires - 1st interaction - Fit + English test

Question

Hi there,

I hope this finds you well.

In the coming days, I will have my very first interaction with Bain & Company in Paris. I am a strategy consultant (senior consultant, 3+ experience). This first meeting is "a 1-hour exploratory meeting" with "operational Bainees" (I guess this means consultants / managers?) and doesn't include a case a study. The meeting, according to HR, takes place before the recruitment process to discuss my experience, my aspirations and career opportunities at Bain for experienced hires. There will also be a 30-min English written assessment.

1) Do you happen to know how does this 1-hour interview go? Is it really a preliminary step before the process or could it be a Go / No Go interview? How should I prepare that?

2) As for the English test, did anyone here have this kind of assessment? What should I expect?

Many thanks,

Have a lovely weekend

Answer 1

Hello!

If they have told u especifically that you won´t have a case study, and on top you are an experienced hire, the interview is going to be 90% FIT.

If you want to deepen your konwledge on the topic, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 2 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:

Intro and CV questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/introduction-and-cv-questions-fit-interview-preparation-200

Motivational questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/motivational-questions-fit-interview-preparation-201

Behavioural questions (ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE) >https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/behavioral-questions-entrepreneurial-drive-fit-interview-preparation-211

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch!

Answer 2

Hello, there!

Their website provides information on the of interview, I think that's the one
https://www.bain.com/careers/interview-prep/experience-interview/
So according to it, you need to be prepared for a mini-case.

As for the second, do you mean verbal reasoning test? If so you can find some samples online

Was it helpful?

GB

Answer 3

Hi there,

You absolutely need to be prepared with your "Resume Walkthrough'", "Why Consulting", and "Why Bain", answers at the very least!

Resume walkthrough

Needs to be chronological
Only keep important details that make you look good (i.e. I worked across 7 industries and rose up the ranks twice in the course of that role)
Keep a theme of "why consulting"
- I.e. at each step you need to show that you both got exposure to aspects of consulting AND thrived + enjoyed them
Finish with: And that's why I'm here today looking for consulting with your company

Why Consulting

You need to summarize what you did before along the theme of consulting aspects you liked and consulting aspects that were missing
You then combine those two - i.e. I know I like + am good at x, y, and z which is required for consulting, and I really am excited to get a, b, and c
You finish with a "mini" why x company

Why x company

Start with a "mini" why consulting
Then have 2-3 reasons why x company is your target
Every "reason" needs to incorporate 1) That you know they value x 2) That you not only value x but have exhibited it and done it in the past
Be very very mindful of what they want you to want