1. You will be assessed for your performance in your projects and contribution to the firm.
You will be assessed in particular for your ability to solve problems, communicate, and steer your module/team.

2. Your project leader/principal and your partner will evaluate you after any project.

3. Mentioned above. After each project and at the end of the year.

4. Broad question. Train your problem solving and communication skills.
Being focused is fundamental, so anything that can “reduce” the impact of ADHD is of help. Meditation, sport, sleep, quality food, and rest should be your top priorities.
 

1. You are assessed for your performance. Multiple criteria here, would be a bit long to detail. But analytical capability, communication skills, “zero-defect/client-ready” slides, research ability, are amongst the most important.

2. You are likely to be assessed by your project manager.

3. At the end of the project  (or a few weeks before the semestral evaluation, unless the project just started a few weeks earlier)

4. This question is too generic. But I feel you should reach out to other people with the same problem in the company (if you know or are able to find anyone)

Hi there,

Remember, all of this information is readily available to you at the role itself.

1- what am I assessed for at BCG

There is a “matrix” that is used to assess you across a ton of metrics. Frameworking, driving value, client management, etc.

2-by who

Your managers. so, your project lead, principal, partner, etc.

3-the time line of the reviews

Periodically (every 6-12 months), and after every single engagement.

4-best advice for post MBA’s

See below

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MOST IMPORTANTLY: Know that no-one can perfectly prepare for the job and that's the point: You will mess up, you will learn, you will be trained and supported. That's OK!

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First: I have a consulting survival guide handbook with 25 key tips for surviving the consulting world. Feel free to message me for it!

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Second: In terms of things you can learn/do to prepare beforehand:

1) Daily Reading

• The Economist, The Financial Times, BCG/Mskinsey Insights

2) Industry deep-dives

• Learn, in-depth, how the industries/companies your office advises, work. (PM me for an industry overview template)

3) Analytics tools

• Alteryx, Tableau, etc.

4) Excel

5) Powerpoint

• Best practices/standards
• Different layouts
• Quickly editing/updating slides
• Thinking in PowerPoint

6) Presentation skills / sharp communication

• There are some online/virtual classes for this

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Third: In terms of doing well in your role when you're there:

1) Understand the context/prompt (what role are you in, what company, who's watching, etc.)

2) Understand the objective (what, specifically, is expected from you...both day to day, and in your overall career progression)

3) Quickly process information, and focus on what's important - Take a lot of information and the unknown, find the most logical path, and focus on that.

4) Be comfortable with the unknown, and learn to brainstorm - think/speak like an expert without being one

In summary, there will always be a flood of information, expectations, competition etc. and not enough time. Find out which ones matter when. (i.e. be visibile and focus efforts on the things that people care about)

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Fourth: Here are some great prior Q&As for you!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-makes-a-good-consultant-how-to-get-a-good-review-6790

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-hard-is-it-to-excel-in-top-consulting-firms-6762

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-become-an-engagement-manager-and-partner-quickly-6722

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/need-to-learn-skills-in-the-ample-free-time-before-starting-at-an-mbb-what-should-i-do-6774

Hi there,

1. The typical consultant's traits (e.g., client hands, analytics)
2. A mix of the people you are working for (project leader, leadership team). They are usually discussing their observations about you. Make sure to get regular feedback sessions in with everyone that evaluates you to avoid surprises, discuss ambitions and learning goals, and course-correct early on
3. Informally all the time, formally after every project, usually formally two times per year by a greater set of people
4. Enjoy the ride and don't worry about your performance :-))

If you are interested in preparing for your new role, I'd suggest the following:

When I got the offer some years ago I did the same. I reached out to people I knew in McKinsey and people who interviewed me to ask: what can I do to make the start easier? how can I prepare?

The answer from everyone was: Relax! Enjoy your time before you start and don't think about it. You will figure it out on the job. I followed that advice and it made sense to me once I joined.

When you start at BCG  there are 2 ways to learn:

1. Formal training. The formal training sessions/ weeks/ days in the beginning, are nice, however, they are more for networking and meeting your peers. You learn some interesting concepts and get some useful tips from more experienced consultants BUT
2. Constant and implicit learning on the job is where it's at. No matter if you are a newcomer or a veteran after 2 years, you will always find yourself on a steep learning curve. As soon as you barely mastered one skill or the skills needed for one level in the hierarchy, you will take care of things, which are expected from a more senior colleague. This cycle never ends. You are expected to learn on the job, learn from your colleagues, your mentors, sometimes even the client. So basically a newly promoted Engagement Manager has the same 'struggle' as a new-hire Business Analyst. They both need to work in a completely new environment and role.

Knowing that, if we now go back to square one in your consulting journey it makes perfect sense to enter the firm with a blank slate with a lot of curiosity and eagerness to soak it all up and quickly learn the ropes.

No book, no training, no coach can prepare you for your first day, your first week, your first engagement. Nothing matches the experience and the learning and this is a good thing (also the reason why ex-MBBs are valued highly on the job market).

You will learn everything you need to master while doing it. You will be thrown in the cold water and need to swim. However, your colleagues will always be happy to help you and mentor you. And for the rest, you will figure everything out along the way. The key here is always to ask for tips, shortcuts, feedback, etc. Don't be quiet if you get stuck.

Lastly, if you have no domain knowledge about a certain industry or topic, read through the internal library of documentation (which is endless) and call some of the firm experts on the topic. Usually, they are happy to offer you a short call to get you up to speed.

Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy the ride!

Florian