Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 451,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Difference in framework debrief among MBB

MBB
New answer on Dec 31, 2020
5 Answers
788 Views
Anonymous A asked on Nov 23, 2020

I've been prepping heavily with friends from McKinsey and they've drilled in me the importance of going in depth explaining your framework/so-what's. Recently, however, I did a case with a BCG'er and they said that I was spending too much time explaining my framework's so-what's.

Is there an actual substantive difference in the depth you're supposed to go in your initial framework between McKinsey and Bain/BCG or is it more likely that I was just too verbose in this particular case?

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Vlad
Expert
replied on Nov 23, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

There is no difference between BCG and McKinsey. However, there is a difference between the interviewers, since the case interview process is not 100% objective. But indeed, many candidates overinvest in presenting the structure. Try to think about the following things:

  1. You should not use frameworks - each case requires a tailored structure
  2. Pay attention to how you present the structure: if you are providing examples (e.g. "I would like to look at the market because it might be the case that it's declining and...") - it's not the proper presentation of your structure. Most probably your examples will not be relevant
  3. If you are too vague (e.g. "I would like to understand Who are the competitors", instead of asking for market shares and growth rates) - that's not the proper presentation of your structure
  4. If you combine diagnostics and generating ideas - it's not the proper presentation of your structure

Best

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 23, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Ther eis no substantive difference across companies, but there is a substantive difference across cases.

Some cases warrant a longer explanation, some don't. There isn't a hard and fast rule for timing.

What you do want is a concise, well-summarized explanation of how you're going to break down the problem, why, and what's important to look at. What you do not want is a laundry list of a dozen random ideas.

Keep to a theme, stay concise, and read your interviewer's body language (yes, even in videoconferencing), to see when you need to get to the point!

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 30, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I confirm no differences in cases and assessment

Best

Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Dec 31, 2020

Hi,

Essentially I don't think there is a difference between McKinsey and BCG, I interviewed for both and even McKinsey do Candidate led interview in later stage..

Bottom line, you need to practice explaining your structure efficiently and strike the balance on how detail it should be.

Best,
Iman

Was this answer helpful?
0
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 24, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360 coach(Ex-McKinsey + Certified Coach + Active recruiter)

Hi,

The reason why the feedback from your friends was different lies in cases, not in the firms, as they don't differ much. The case determines the time which needs to be devoted to it and the depth of your framework.

So keep going and let me know if you need any help.

Good luck!

GB

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad gave the best answer

Vlad

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
429
Meetings
12,232
Q&A Upvotes
127
Awards
4.9
186 Reviews