Bain Final Round Advice

Hi there,

Well done on getting to the 2nd round!

1) The selection criteria do not change. Keep doing what you're doing (and do it better if you can!). Make sure to address any weaknesses either they pointed out or you self-identified.

2) Honestly this is such a big question. I would say the #1 reason people fail though (those that are prepared) are that they expect too much. They have a set idea in their mind about what will happen (structured cases, free-flowing cases, x time on this topic, etc.). The best way to succeed is to come in ready and flexible for anything!

Hello,

Congratulations on getting to the final round! To answer your questions:

1) The selection criteria are the same.

2) It really depends. It seems like other experts have given some good pointers on common pitfalls here (I would echo the lack of focus on fit and not being flexible enough in cases), but one thing I would like to add is to try to build a positive rapport with the interviewer. Typically the final round interviewers tend to be more senior (partner level) and will be the ones who will directly decide whether you will be given an offer or not, so I would try to establish a good connection - act relaxed and natural, make a bit of small talk, ask them about their work (if they do work in an area you're interested in, show them you're excited about it), and so on. They're less likely to advocate for someone they are not personally excited about or didn't enjoy talking to.

Another thing - you mention that you feel like you previously failed because of stress. This can definitely happen, and is an important thing to know about yourself. In light of your previous experience, what can you do to try and ensure it doesn't happen again? This will vary for different candidates, but maybe this means taking a break from cases the day before the interview, making sure you get enough sleep, going for a walk to clear your mind, listening to music, etc. This is something we rarely talk about in the forum, but something I have found to be absolutely crucial in my own prep when I was a candidate, and in the experiences of candidates I've coached.

Best of luck!!!

I would add to Francesco's answer that a lot of candidates do not spend enough time preparing the FIT part of the interview.

I would underscore a couple of things:

• You should have a “pitch” on why they should hire you (i.e., what are your key strengths). You should incorporate that pitch when answering the questions you are asked about yourself. Don't be too aggressive, but be assertive.
• Don't forget that they are not only evaluating analytical ability. Bain looks for People (friendly, cooperative, team player), Passion (self-starter, high-energy), Results (pragmatic, focused on the goal, “true north”).
• Bain in particular looks for people aligned with their core values (e.g. “true north”). You should bring a few examples to showcase.

Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions on these topics.

Hi there,

1) They don’t really differ, the bar is just higher because in the end they will select a limited number of candidates out of the pool and candidates who pass a first-round are already quite good. You can find some tips for finals here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/bain-2nd-round-interview-tips-11143

2) The following are some common reasons:

• Lack of structure for unusual questions. Partners sometimes like to brainstorm with candidates on their last project or an idea they had. If you are prepared for standard questions but are unable to answer something like “How would you solve the unemployment problem in Europe” you may be in trouble.
• Lack of connection between the different parts of the case and the “big picture” objective. Some candidates perfectly solve the different parts of the case, but miss the connection with the final goal of the client. For example, they may do the right calculation or derive the correct graph insight, but they don’t connect that number or inside with the goal of the client without the help of the interviewer.
• Lack of connection with the interviewer. If you don’t connect well with the partner or he/she doesn’t feel you are client-ready, you won’t get an offer, no matter how outstanding your case skills are. There are specific communication tips you can follow to be sure you are able to engage and show you would well represent the firm in front of the client. Your questions at the end are also an important element to make a good final impression.

Hope this helps,

Francesco