Bain first-round fit interview?

Hi there!

Yes - that seems to be the new format they're trialling at the moment. I have another candidate who has the same structure set up ahead of them. 

You can expect a small chat before the case interview but they could also just skip straight to the case. Here, I'd prepare the typical:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why consulting / Why make this transition from your current firm
• Why Bain

For the separate fit interview, aim to prepare 3-4 stories of about 5-7 minutes each, covering dimensions such as leadership, entrepreneurship and personal impact. Basically, complex situations in which you prevailed despite the odds. Make sure the stories are real, but show you in the best light possible and emphasize your individual contribution (i.e., not what the ‘team’ did). 

Best of luck!
Cristian

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Hi there,

Ex-Bain here, ready to help!

I am actually convinced that a strong preparation for fit interviews will really make the difference and that too many times I hear about people that underestimate it. Hence, it is already amazing that you understood the importance of it. 

As Ian was mentioning, you should be ready to answer the why you, why the role, and why that specific company questions. 

However, a great deal of effort should also be put in preparing the stories that you are going to use to answer question such as “tell me about a time when you were in a leadership position". What I did when I was preparing for my interviews was to write down a list of these kind of question that they could ask me and then I carefully crafted 5-6 stories that could be adjusted to answer all the question. I then actually wrote the answers down and used that word document to get ready for the interviews. 

Let's chat if you want to know more,
Best luck,
Francesca

 

Hi there,

1) I assume the case interview will also have a short fit part at the beginning?

Not necessarily. Could also be case-only – I know a few cases when this happened for Bain.

2) As to the fit interview, I believe Bain is the only firm to dedicate a full interview to it. How do you recommend preparing?

You can prepare for the typical fit questions by crafting answers for them in advance. Some of the most common ones are the following:

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why consulting
3. Why Bain
4. Give me an example of when you led a team
5. Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone
6. What has been your major achievement so far
7. Tell me about a time when you failed
8. Why should we hire you

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

Yes, most case interviews also have a short fit part. That said, they could happen at the beginning, the end, or, even, not at all - just stay flexible!

For the fit part, remember that any question can be asked. Prepare for 3 things:

1. The 3 whys: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question
2. Personal stories (asking about a challenging time, teamwork, etc.)
3. “Random” questions (what classes are you taking and why, what makes a great leader, explain nuclear energy to my 7 year old daughter)

For #1 read my article

For #2 you need a repository of 3-6 flexible stories

For #3 you need to practice with someone. You can't memorize/prepare for every single question. Rather, you need to train your ability to flexibly answer questions!

For the brief fit interview segment, craft a compelling 1-minute pitch that not only introduces yourself but also conveys why you're drawn to Bain. Instead of the conventional and somewhat dull approach (mentioning your field of study, place of residence, and generic praise for Bain), aim to stand out. Create a top-down narrative that communicates your unique value proposition and synthesizes your experiences effectively. If you'd like to explore this further over coffee, please feel free to reach out. Best regards, Frederic.