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Cristian
Most Awarded Coach on the platform | Ex-McKinsey | 90% success rate
strength-based development
PEI storylining
first principles thinking
English
Germany (UTC +1)
USD 279 / h
Most Awarded Coach on the platform | Ex-McKinsey | 90% success rate
strength-based development
PEI storylining
first principles thinking
USD 279 / h
Statistics
Consulting
Content Creator
986 Coachings
50,180 Q&A Upvotes
208 Awards
About Cristian
Coaching Approach
Reviews
Work Experience
Awards

Hi! I'm Cristian.

Over the past 4 years, I've coached approximately 400 candidates.

90% of them got offers. 

Out of those who targeted McKinsey, BCG or Bain, 70% of them were successful.

In my approach to coaching, I do 3 things differently:

1. First principles thinking. All consulting interviewers want to see how you think. That is why learning frameworks by heart no longer cuts it. By coaching my candidates in first-principles thinking, I ensure they deliver a distinctive interview performance and hit the ground running on the job.

2. Personal fit mastery. The average candidate invests 10% of their prep time in the personal fit component of the interview, even though interviewers judge it to be half of the performance. Instead, I dig deep here to create a competitive advantage for my candidates.

3. Spike enhancements. Top consulting firms don't want balanced candidates. They want clear spikes, seeing that you're great at something. I help my candidates identify their strength from the first session, then polish it into a spike for the interview. 

I'm proud of the results I've achieved working with candidates from across 50 countries. And as part of my commitment to impact, I publish an annual report of my verifiable success rates - the only coach in the industry to do so.

If you'd like to know more, click on the 'Coaching Approach' section above.

My story:

I never planned to become a consultant. After graduating from Oxford, I found myself jobless, with no clue which way to go. My girlfriend was applying for management consulting, and because it seemed like the cherry at the top of the corporate world, I decided to give it a shot. I practised hard, got a few offers and chose McKinsey. I was so happy! 

But it turned out I hated the job. My performance reflected that. By the end of the first year, I was close to ‘Issues’, which in McKinsey terms is the last stop before being 'encouraged' to leave. I sought mentorship and spent a great deal of time thinking about my path. I gradually understood that I was not just a consultant but an agent of change within the Firm and the client’s organisation. With my mindset, my performance changed. 

I spent almost five years in McKinsey, with the last four consistently rated top quartile of performers in the region. I was fast-track promoted twice and worked across eight countries and nine industries. I had clients who genuinely and personally thanked me for the impact I delivered. I spent time coaching junior colleagues and led on multiple occasions McKinsey’s new joiners training. 

Summer of 2021, I left McKinsey. Like in a marriage where we just grew apart but stayed friends, we still share pleasant memories of each other. Following my instincts, I started a coaching practice, I'm writing a book, and I cause mayhem with my kids. 

If you'd like to get to know each other, reach out for an introductory call! I’m happy to share some advice and talk about my experience. 

The recruitment journey to consulting can be challenging, but anybody can do it. Set a clear goal, plan, and get the help you need. I’ll be cheering you on.

Click ‘Show More’ to read in more detail about how I generate these results with my candidates.

Show more
5.0
Oct 30, 2025
by Hong
Highly personalised and detailed feedback! Thanks
Oct 29, 2025
by Anonymous
Cristian has ben incredibly helpful in my preparation for consulting interviews, giving comprehensive feedback and advice both in meetings and in written format. He has also provided extensive revision materials for my independent study.
Sep 18, 2025
by Martin
Interview Coaching
Work Experience
Associate
McKinsey & Company
2017 - 2021
Owner
pathtoconsulting
2016 - now
Education
Master student
University of Oxford
2014 - 2016
Economics, business administration
Last Month
Coaching Master
Top 5 | 20 Coachings
Cristian has done 20 coachings in the last month.
Community Star
Top 1 | 129 Answers
Cristian wrote 129 answers in the Q&A last month.
Q&A Expert
Top 1 | 1,238 Upvotes
Cristian's answers from last month have received 1,238 upvotes.
Top Case Author
Top 3
Cristian's cases have been solved 1,168 times in the last month.
Content King
Top 1
In the last month, Cristian's articles have been read 93 times.
Past Awards
Year
Coaching Master
Cristian received an award for the most coachings 10 times in 2025.
Community Star
Cristian received an award for the most Q&A answers 7 in 2025.
Q&A Expert
Cristian's answers were among the best answers 7 times in 2025.
Top Case Author
Cristian's cases were among the most solved cases 10 times in 2025.
Content King
Cristian's articles were among the most-read blog articles 10 times in 2025.
Discounted period
Hi there! This is the perfect time to start. My rates are temporarily reduced for the off-season and will return to regular pricing soon. Secure your spot while it lasts!
Coaching Offers
Coaching Packages
USD 1,395
USD 1,139
Includes 5 sessions
5.0
24 Reviews
5 tailored sessions
Personal fit & case mastery
First principles thinking

Note: The base rate of this package is temporarily reduced. I will be increasing the price within the coming period. 

If you want to accelerate your recruitment process and maximize your chances of securing an offer, this package is for you. These five sessions are intended as a complete overhaul of your approach to case solving, personal fit story-lining and the overall recruitment process

Top Package
Path to Consulting Package
Path to Consulting Package
5.0
24 Reviews
5 tailored sessions
Personal fit & case mastery
First principles thinking
5 tailored sessions
Personal fit & case mastery
First principles thinking
First Principles Structuring Masterclass
First Principles Structuring Masterclass
Crack any case without ‘learned frameworks'
1-on-1 tailored to your strengths & weaknesses
Full suite of learning materials
Crack any case without ‘learned frameworks'
1-on-1 tailored to your strengths & weaknesses
Full suite of learning materials
Single Coaching
Interview Coaching
60 Minutes
5.0
343 Reviews
USD 279
Book time slot
CV Review
30 Minutes
5.0
343 Reviews
USD 199
Book time slot
Interview Coaching + CV Review
90 Minutes
5.0
343 Reviews
USD 469
Book time slot
Tests & Guides
Master the McKinsey PEI
Master the McKinsey PEI
5.0
4 Reviews
1.5h video course on developing distinctive PEI stories
Includes 3 recordings of real and successful McKinsey interview PEI stories
Includes the story structure template and the most frequent real PEI interview questions by dimension
1.5h video course on developing distinctive PEI stories
Includes 3 recordings of real and successful McKinsey interview PEI stories
Includes the story structure template and the most frequent real PEI interview questions by dimension
Community Contributions
Cristian's Newest Q&A Answers
Cristian's Newest Cases
Cristian's Newest Blog Articles