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Recommendations for Consulting Firms in Germany with English as Main Language

Hello PrepLounge Community,

I am planning to pursue a master's degree in International Business in Germany this year. After my first year, I aim to secure an internship with a consulting firm.

Before my master's degree, I gained two years of experience in audit at one of the Big 4 companies.

I would like to ask for your recommendations on consulting companies in Germany where the primary language spoken is English. Additionally, I am concerned about my chances of entering such firms without knowing German.

Are there significant barriers or challenges I should be aware of due to the language difference?

Thank you for your insights and advice!

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Gaurav
Coach
am 4. Juli 2024
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hey there, 

First off, don't worry too much about the language barrier. While knowing German would be a plus, it's not always a deal-breaker, especially in big international firms. Companies like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Roland Berger, and Oliver Wyman often use English as their main language, particularly for global projects.

Your Big 4 audit experience is gold, by the way. Consulting firms love that kind of background!

Now, I won't sugarcoat it – not speaking German might close some doors. You might have fewer job options, and it could be trickier to bond with colleagues over lunch or beers after work. Some clients might prefer German speakers too. But don't let that discourage you!

Here's what I'd suggest:

  1. Target those big international firms. They're more likely to be cool with English-only speakers.
  2. Network like crazy. LinkedIn, alumni connections – use 'em all.
  3. Maybe pick up some basic German? Even if it's just "Ein Bier, bitte," it shows you're making an effort.
  4. When looking for internships, keep an eye out for posts that specifically mention English as the working language.

Remember, your international business degree and that sweet Big 4 experience are major selling points. Yeah, the language thing might limit you a bit, but it's not a showstopper.

Florian
Coach
am 4. Juli 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

As far as I know, all top consulting firms in Germany require business-level German for their new hires. The reason is that they are consulting most of the DAX and German “Mittelstand.”

Project language in some cases is German and even if it's English, they still want to have German speakers as not every client is fluent in English - especially on the working level.

I am not aware of any firm where this would be different.

Cheers,

Florian

Pedro
Coach
am 9. Juli 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

Go for the strategy firms. Avoid the Big4, as they won't necessarily have strong international staffing

Hagen
Coach
am 6. Sept. 2024
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

  • There is practically no consulting firm in Germany whose main language is English.
  • However, and contrary to what other coaches have said, Bain Germany does not require German language skills. That being said, you should also look at boutique consulting firms that may not have such strict language proficiency requirements.

You can find more on this topic here: Boutique consulting companies.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

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