Bain application process

Question

Hi there,
I applied to Bain and chose the middle east as my office preference. However, once I finished the application, I received this email
“Thank you for your interest in the Bain & Company Middle East offices. Please note that Dubai has historically been our main hub and will continue to be important but, as our business grows, we are keen to reflect the diversity of the region in terms of client needs and personal living preferences which is why we require some additional information from you.”
and directed me to a link asking whether I am a GCC national.
What does this mean? does it mean I am not moving forward as I am not a GCC national? and if this is true, How can I change the office preferences to move forward?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hello,

This is a great question and has a lot to do with Middle East hiring practices for MBB at the moment. I would suggest reaching out to a recruiter or a current consultant for a brief phone call chat to get a sense of which offices are hiring your profile. Not being a GCC national won't sink your application. But applying to strategic offices can definitely help your chances (e.g. many firms have a hiring freeze in Dubai but are rapidly expanding in Riyadh).

I would also recommend showing a personal link to the city to improve your chances - if you have family in the office location, studied abroad there, had an internship there once - it can make recruiters comfortable that you plan on staying and not bouncing after a few months. They struggle with retention in these non-central offices and this can help your case significantly.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Every office is always going to prioritize local hiring. That is just a fact (visa/immigration requirements, local knowledge etc.)

Always apply where your application makes the most sense (citizenship, working rights, languages spoken, worked/studied/lived there).

You are not not moving forward, but your odds will be lower than an “equal” candidate who is a GCC national…but this was always the case….

If you would like to change your office, you can message the recruiter.

Here's some advice on maximizing your chances: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks

Answer 3

Hi there,

in my experience, Dubai for Bain is at the moment very tricky, as the company is currently trying to fill up other offices (e.g. Riyadh), given to local hiring mandates.

Suggest you reach out to HR directly and explain that you'd be open to the region in general, not just Dubai . Offices like Riyadh and Doha will, for the time being, give you much better chances.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Andi

Answer 4

Hi there,

1) Does it mean I am not moving forward as I am not a GCC national?

Not necessarily. Possibly they are collecting information due to visa requirements/hiring quotas.

2) If this is true, how can I change the office preferences to move forward?

In case you want to change your preferences, I would recommend contacting HR.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 5

Hello,

They most likely need this information to verify where you can/cannot work based on your citizenship. If there are ME offices that hire international candidates, you will be considered for them.

If you want to change office preferences but have already submitted your application, I would recommend contacting HR.

Answer 6

Hi there!

Yes, there are some recent regulatory changes and basically, if you are under manager level they try not to hire foreigners but only locals.

So do liaise with them and figure out what your options are. Most likely you will have to move your application to a different office.

Best,
Cristian

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