Bain new Interview format

Question

Hi

I heard that Bain has introduced a new interview format in certain geographies (especially DACH) to reduce (unconscious) bias. I specifically heard about the following changes:

a.) Interviewers now use cases from a case library created and calibrated by a certain team, instead of using their own cases.

b.) Cases are more interviewer-led, to make them more standard and thus comparable.

c.) Fit Interviews are interview blind and more standard (asking a list of questions given by recruiting and scoring candidates on certain categories)

Would be super interested to hear any thoughts and insides y'all have into the changes Bain has made.

For point c.) it would be also super helpful, if you could share some of the “hypothetical” questions asked in the new fit interview.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey there,

You could also say that Bain has learned from McKinsey to create a more objective evaluation. :-)

a. While most McKinsey interviewers use their own cases, they are created and calibrated against some very rigid standards. For certain interviews (e.g., DACH round 1), interviewers now also use cases from a database.

b. It makes sense then to become familiar with interviewer-led formats: https://preplounge.com/mckinsey-interview

c. Similarly, it also makes sense to learn how to develop stories that are deep and insightful using a proper framework. While the article discusses the McKinsey-specific dimensions, the way content should be created, structured, and delivered would also be the same for the new Bain format: https://www.preplounge.com/mckinsey-pei

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

Hi there,

Yes, this is a move that many firms are making, not only Bain.

It shouldn't affect your preparation, however. If anything, it can be more helpful for you because with standardisation there is also less uncertainty.

Just make sure that you train for both candidate-led and interviewer-led cases and practice personal fit questions that are across the spectrum (situational, behavioural, etc.)

Best,

Cristian

Answer 3

Hello,

Yes! I've heard similar things.

The blind interview makes your preparation only slightly different as you are not supposed to name your business school or the brand of the companies that you worked at before. This causes a very unbiased merit-based interviewing process which is quite equalizing!

Rushabh

Answer 4

Sure. These changes are happening.

Will they continue to happen? Yup.

Does it change how you approach your prep/interviews? Nope!

Therefore, don't worry about it.

You still need to demonstrate all the same capabilities. You still need to be ready for anything and be flexible/adaptable in your interview.

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/pitfalls-case-interview-preparation

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case