How does Bain Brussels Internship Interview go?

Hi there,

Bain Brussels internship interviews are fairly standard Bain-style, with a few local nuances, but nothing you need to overthink.

• Industries: Cases are usually generalist. You may see examples inspired by consumer goods, retail, financial services, or industrials, but no deep Belgium-specific or niche industry knowledge is expected. The focus is on problem solving, not sector expertise.
• Numbers to memorize: You don’t need Belgium- or Europe-specific numbers. General population anchors (EU, large countries) and clean round-number assumptions are enough. Interviewers care more about logic and structure than local precision.
• Case style: Bain cases are typically interviewer-led, with a strong emphasis on exhibit interpretation, clear insights, and practical recommendations. You’ll be guided through the case rather than driving it fully yourself.
• Fit questions: Bain places a lot of weight on fit. Strong answers are authentic, structured, and concrete. Expect questions around teamwork, leadership, conflict, and motivation for Bain. Show energy, collaboration, and self-awareness rather than trying to be overly polished.
• Interviewers: Internship interviews are usually conducted by Consultants or Managers, not Partners in early rounds.
• Questions to ask at the end: Ask thoughtful, human questions rather than generic ones. For example, what they enjoy most about working in the Brussels office, how junior team members are supported, or how the office culture differs from others in Europe.

Let me know if you need further advice / prep - happy to help!

Best,
Evelina

Good that you're preparing specifically for Brussels. Here's what you should know.

On industries, Bain Brussels works a lot with consumer goods, retail, pharma, and industrials given the Belgian and broader European market. But for internship interviews, cases are usually general. Don't over-prepare for one sector. Be ready for anything.

On numbers, yes focus on Europe and Belgium. Population of Belgium, major cities, average income, typical costs. US numbers won't help you much here. Know the basics for Western Europe too since many cases involve regional or pan-European scenarios.

On case format, Bain tends to be more candidate-led than McKinsey. Expect to drive the structure and analysis yourself. The interviewer will guide you if needed, but they want to see you take ownership.

On fit questions, be specific and genuine. They'll ask why Bain, why consulting, tell me about a time you led something or faced a challenge. Use real examples with clear impact. Show self-awareness and coachability. Don't give generic answers.

On who interviews you, for internships it's usually consultants and managers, not partners. Partners typically come in at final rounds for full-time roles.

On questions to ask at the end, make them thoughtful. Ask about their experience, what projects they've enjoyed, what's unique about the Brussels office, or how teams work across European offices. Don't ask things you could easily Google.

Keep your prep balanced. Cases, fit, and mental math all matter. And practice out loud so you're comfortable thinking and speaking at the same time.

Good luck.