What Is the Best Consulting Firm for Me?

Every consulting firm is unique. If you are interested in working in consulting, the available options include working for the typical strategy consultancies , more specialized boutique consulting firms, or for the so-called inhouse consultancies which are basically internal consulting firms of big companies. The big players in strategy consulting know how to set the tone by means of branding, demanding projects, internationality, and last but not least through attractive salaries. Boutique consultancies have the advantage that consultants may work in their favorite field in order to evolve into specialists. Inhouse consultancies are becoming more and more important for the job market, since employees are looking for more promising work-life-balance properties in their employers. Moreover, you'll be able to do your own networking in a big firm, and therefore lay a solid foundation for the transition into the later stages of your career.

What Are Necessary Skills for Me as a Consultant?

You'll have to bring certain abilities to the table, but it's about more than what's on your resume. Despite an excellent academic education, your future employer will also look for working experience, especially if acquired abroad. Particularly if you studied business/economics, you'll be expected to have at least two internships on your record when being interviewed.

Do I Need an MBA to Apply for a Job in Consulting?

While an MBA can be beneficial, it's not a strict requirement to apply for a consulting job. Consulting firms often seek candidates with diverse educational backgrounds, including natural sciences, medicine, and pharmacy. They highly value organized and analytical working behavior. Beyond educational qualifications, firms also emphasize soft skills such as communication abilities, self-confidence, and analytical skills. Even without significant practical experience, if you demonstrate these qualities, you could potentially be considered for consulting roles. Some firms may also offer workshops and mini-MBA programs to further develop your skills once hired.

What Are the Benefits While Working as a Consultant?

Working as a consultant offers several benefits. While the role often requires long working hours, especially for those starting their careers, it compensates with high salaries. Additionally, the experience you gain as a consultant can lead to promising career advancements and opportunities for personal development, extending beyond the realm of consulting. Many consultants leverage their experience to transition into roles in large industrial companies, smaller boutique consultancies, or startups, which can offer diverse career paths.

Back to overview

Bain & Company

Strategy Consultancy

>18,500 employees worldwide

Be more at Bain.

The world is full of opportunities, and we support you at every step of your journey. With us, you can grow, learn, and shape a career path that truly reflects your ambitions. Are you ready for an exceptional career?

As a leading global consulting firm, we partner with senior executives around the world to shape the future. Together, we help them outperform the competition and set new standards across their industries.

Our range of capabilities is broad. We work across industries including automotive, financial services, consumer goods, healthcare, telecommunications, private equity, and many others.

Events Cases Career Page

Get to know Bain & Company personally

Bain: Jumpstart. Internship on the fast lane.

03/05 - 03/06/2026

Berlin

Erlebe, wie Strategie und Innovation bei Bain zusammenkommen. Tausche dich mit Bainies aus, erweitere dein Skillset und sichere dir ein Praktikum im Consulting.

Application end date: 01/25/2026

Apply now

Solve Real Cases from Bain & Company

Company case by

Bain & Company

Bain Case: BeautyCo – Where Did the Profits Go?

59.3k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Candidate-led

Market analysis

Profitability analysis

Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been strug(...)

Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been struggling with a decrease in profi(...)

Open case

Company case by

Bain & Company

Bain Case: Old Winery

142.3k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Candidate-led

Growth strategy

Market analysis

Market sizing

Mergers & Acquisition

You have inherited the “Old Winery” from your grandfather, a winery that has been family-owned for five generations and(...)

You have inherited the “Old Winery” from your grandfather, a winery that has been family-owned for five generations and can be dated back to the 16th(...)

Open case