How does Bain Brussels Internship Interview go?

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 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.

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

My go-to answer in these situations is: ask the recruiter. 

Why? Because the process differs between offices and roles. So what might apply for Bain in one location might not in a different one. 

And it's absolutely ok to ask the recruiter these questions. You're signalling that you care and are doing everything in your power to be prepared. 

Here are my answers to your specific questions based on my experience of teaching candidates for Bain european offices:

- are there specific industries that they're more likely to ask? >>> no, unless you are applying for a specialist role

- should the numbers i memorize be more for belgium/europe than for the States? >>> you are not expected to memorise any numbers

- are the cases usually interviewer/interviewee led? >>> typically they lean towards candidate led but by now this distinction is no longer useful

- what are the best kind of answers to their fit questions? >>> they divide their questions between backward looking and forward looking. If you're looking for a mock, do reach out

- are the cases usually with partners or consultants? >>> Round 1 with consultants, Round 2 with Partners

-do you have any recommendations on what kind of questions to ask them at the end? >>> Think genuinely about what you would want to ask them. Don't ask anything you could find out online or from the recruiter. Be genuinely curious in their experience.

I've recently been preparing multiple candidates for upcoming Bain interviews, so if you need any help, reach out.

Best,
Cristian

That's great you're preparing for Bain Brussels—the mechanics of the interview process are largely standardized across global offices, but the content in Europe, especially in a specialized hub like Brussels, requires a highly specific local lens.

The core structure will be 50% case, 50% fit/experience, typically with cases being heavily interviewee-led, which is standard for Bain. However, forget memorizing US metrics. Your numbers should absolutely focus on the Benelux region, key logistics/transportation hubs, and the industries that dominate the local economy (CPG, chemicals, healthcare/pharma, and anything related to EU regulatory or institutional bodies). Your interviewer wants to see you comfortable contextualizing a European client challenge, not a large-cap American retail issue.

For the fit component, understand that European offices are often tighter-knit and prioritize cultural fit and long-term commitment to the region. The best answers articulate your ability to contribute to a collaborative team environment and demonstrate deep intellectual curiosity about the regional economy. When they ask about why Brussels, your answer shouldn't just be "because of Bain," but because of the unique clients and challenges that office serves.

Regarding who you will meet, expect a mix: Consultants and Managers handle the initial rounds, with Partners usually reserved for the final, decision-making stage. The questions you ask them at the end are critical differentiators. Don't ask anything generic. Instead, show that you've done your homework on the local office strategy. Ask, "What is the biggest transformation challenge you foresee for your Benelux clients given the new EU regulatory push?" or "Can you share a specific example of how the Brussels office leverages the broader Bain network for clients with operations outside of Belgium?" This signals genuine interest in their local franchise, which is what they are hiring for.

All the best!

1. Learn about all industries. Don't focus on a small subset.

2. Yes, you should know key numbers about Belgium and Europe. DEFINITELY.

3. Interviewee led. But interviewers provide some guidance and direction.

4. This is the type of answer that requires a coaching session. Feel free to reach out for a discounted rate, for a session designed to cover all the types of questions you may get and memorable stories that actually address what they are looking for.

5. Starts with consultants. Ends with partners if you move to the last round.

6. Ask about long term career prospects, what they like about their internal culture, about what is less obvious about them, what are the things you should know before accepting an offer.

Hi,

Good to see you are preparing for you Bain interview at Brussel.

I am a former consultant at Bain Brussel.

Feel free to reach out via chat to get more detailed feedback.

Kr,

Mattijs