MBB Interviews - Adapting to different firms

Congratulations on receiving an offer from Bain!

In terms of differences between BCG and Bain, there are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your upcoming BCG interviews. As you noted, BCG cases tend to be shorter, so you may need to be more concise and focused in your analysis and recommendations. In addition, BCG cases may be less straightforward and involve more unconventional or creative problem-solving, so it may be helpful to practice thinking outside the box and considering a range of potential solutions.

Another potential difference is that BCG cases may involve more quantitative analysis, so brushing up on your math and data analysis skills could be beneficial. Finally, it's worth noting that every consulting firm has its own unique culture and way of approaching problem-solving. In my experience, for example, BCG puts much more emphasis on the personal fit compared to pure academic and case performance. That is indicated by the personal fit part taking up as much time as cases in some geographies.

Overall, the best way to prepare for your BCG interviews is to practice as much as possible and get feedback from experienced consultants or peers who have been successful in the case interview process. Good luck with your upcoming interviews!

/Marvin

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offer from Bain!

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, I would consider Bain and BCG case studies to be the most similar, especially in comparison to McKinsey. As such, if you have been successful with Bain, I would highly advise you not to change anything about your overall approach.
• From the experience of my coachees, with BCG, you might encounter case studies that have a semi/non-professional context and might be considered "out of the box". Moreover, BCG case studies tend to be shorter and more restricted with time. While all of these aspects might be meaningful to keep in mind, they should still have no impact on your overall approach.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

I honestly try to avoid fundamentally changing a style - the most important is that you are exhibiting the consulting traits required (critical thinking, structured thinking, business acumen, clear/concise communication, etc. etc.).

That said, BCG does tend to prefer more “Creative” and out of the box thinking. They have a strong aversion to canned/memorized frameworks. And they do tend to be more flexible/brainstorm-y. Additionally, Bain is more known for wanting (and providing clues for) hypotheses and also known for more charts/exhibits.

That said, every interviewer as an individual is different - the best thing you can do is not go in with a pre-conception/expectation, because it is likely to be wrong!

Hi there,

Q: I would like to know, if there are any differences I should be aware of/change my prep/casing style for BCG, compared to Bain.

It would be useful if you could share your geography, as there could be local differences. In some countries (eg Italy) Bain does a lot more market sizing than the other MBB, so it’s less likely you will find that at BCG compared to Bain, however that’s office dependent.

Good luck!

Francesco

Bain and BCG are fairly similar - both are interviewee led cases with shortish fit questions. To be honest the style really depends on the office location and the interviewer. I've seen very out of the box Bain and BCG cases, and very standard ones. The main thing is to feel comfortable with the case format and to be able to adapt your responses to what is required in the particular situation that you are given. 

Good luck!

No major differences in case preparation.

One watch out: I understand that being relatively new has higher risk, but also means that the room for growth is much higher (and also a threat to BCG risk, as they may lose a few clients). 

If you plan staying a few years only, BCG is better, you'll have access to a larger network of alumni. If you consider having a career in consulting, Bain has a clear advantage in this situation.

Hi there,

If you were successful with Bain, you can expect a similar format with BCG. 

You can network with existing consultants in your target office for BCG to check for differences as well. It should make for an interesting discussion. 

Here is a guide on how to approach these chats:

• Free Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals

Best,
Cristian