Is BCG's Dubai Office harder to get in compared to other locations? If so why?

I don't know where it lies in the “tough-to-get-in” index.

But the Middle-East MBB offices are the hottest on the radar right now with a very large applicant flux - and hence that can drive up the competitiveness:

• Dubai is a sweet spot for applicants from all countries and universities
• Dubai has a very easy expat visa system. People from almost any country can get a visa in Dubai
• The life in Dubai is generally very good - apart from the hot weather months - so people don't mind living here
• Its kind-of located very nicely - close to Europe and Asia
• No income tax

Please don't think this way!

I understand the logic here and why you want to approach office selection this way, but it's really not the ideal approach.

The variable that matters much more than “office difficulty” is you. Do you have extensive work experience in Dubai, speak English and Arabic fluently, have working rights, etc.? Then apply there!

Do you have nothing at all to do with Dubai? Then tread carefully!

Whether it's an “easy” office or not, YOU have to match with it!

Hi there,

It depends on the comparison location ;) If you compare it to NY, probably not that much.

Until a few years ago, BCG was hiring like crazy in Dubai and it was not that difficult to join – my personal feeling when helping candidates was that it was actually easier than other locations.

Now the situation is different as the office structure has become more stable (the office is already pretty large).

By the way, the questions at BCG Dubai are a bit different compared to the standard ones BCG asks, if you need help please feel free to PM me, I have a list with 50+ real questions they asked there.

Best,

Francesco

Hey there,

I don't think the process itself is harder than in other offices but its a demand - supply question.

Dubai accepts many international applicants = high demand for people to work there, especially in the current global situation, yet MBB can only offer a limited number of positions = supply of job shortage.

Hence, it might be perceived harder to get into the Dubai office.

Cheers,

Florian

Hello,

Yes and no. Hiring dynamics will be constantly changing depending on the number of applicants and their quality, the number of openings that the office has, any flexibility with that, and so on - but unfortunately you cannot know any of this as an applicant. I thought Ian's advice on thinking about whether you are a good fit for the Dubai office (are you fluent in English and Arabic, are you interested in or have experience in the industries they focus on) was very appropriate. If you seem like a bit more of a random hire for Dubai, it might be a bit more challenging to get hired, but if it's an appropriate office choice, it shouldn't be easier or more difficult than at other offices. BCG is a highly-demanded firm and so there will be many qualified applicants applying for any of their offices.