1. Dashboard 1
  2. Consulting Q&A 2
  3. Einstieg bei einer Top-Beratung (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Roland Berger) 3
expert
Expert with best answer

Guennael

99% Recommendation Rate

266 Meetings

1,321 Q&A Upvotes

USD 269 / Coaching

Book a coaching
View profile of Guennael
1

Einstieg bei einer Top-Beratung (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Roland Berger)

Bain BCG Case Interview MBB McKinsey Roland Berger

Hallo zusammen,

ich steuer auf das Ende meines Masters in BWL an der Uni Mannheim zu und möchte gerne in die Beratung. Mein persönliches Ziel ist es bei einer der Top-Beratungen (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Roland Berger) zu landen. Habe bisher noch kein Praktikum in der Unternehmensberatung gemacht (dafür aber schon bei DAX-Konzernen und bekannteren Startups). Macht es Sinn sich direkt für den Einstieg zu bewerben oder würdet ihr empfehlen erst ein Praktikum zu machen? Bekomme ich ohne Erfahung im Consulting überhaupt ne Einladung zum Case Interview?

Hallo zusammen,

ich steuer auf das Ende meines Masters in BWL an der Uni Mannheim zu und möchte gerne in die Beratung. Mein persönliches Ziel ist es bei einer der Top-Beratungen (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Roland Berger) zu landen. Habe bisher noch kein Praktikum in der Unternehmensberatung gemacht (dafür aber schon bei DAX-Konzernen und bekannteren Startups). Macht es Sinn sich direkt für den Einstieg zu bewerben oder würdet ihr empfehlen erst ein Praktikum zu machen? Bekomme ich ohne Erfahung im Consulting überhaupt ne Einladung zum Case Interview?

 Recent activity on Nov 11, 2015
9.2 k Views
1 answer
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best Answer
Book a coaching with Guennael

99% Recommendation Rate

266 Meetings

1,321 Q&A Upvotes

USD 269 / Coaching

Choose a time slot
View profile of Guennael

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this.

Top consultancies typically want the best people regardless of their background. Yes, some roles are reserved to individuals with a particular expertise set, but I'll ignore this scenario and focus on the general case.

Would having a consulting internship help you? Yes, definitely: it'd show you have expressed prior interest in consulting, probably practiced case interviewing, and experienced it first hand. So if you still want to do this, there's a good chance you would stay around a little longer. At the same time, they will wonder why you didn't get an offer already if you were this good.

Do you need a consulting internship? Absolutely not. Many of us got into consulting post-MBA without prior consulting experience. Indeed, this can be a strength as well, since we have (hopefully) demonstrated successful real-life experience. You have worked at large and/or well known companies, that's a good start since they are unlikely to hire just anyone.

If you want to try consulting, the best time is now. Go for it, practice, apply, get in, rock it. Don't let others tell you what you should or shouldn't have done before - but be ready to answer why consulting, why now.

Hope this help. Good luck!

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this.

Top consultancies typically want the best people regardless of their background. Yes, some roles are reserved to individuals with a particular expertise set, but I'll ignore this scenario and focus on the general case.

Would having a consulting internship help you? Yes, definitely: it'd show you have expressed prior interest in consulting, probably practiced case interviewing, and experienced it first hand. So if you still want to do this, there's a good chance you would stay around a little longer. At the same time, they will wonder why you didn't get an offer already if you were this good.

Do you need a consulting internship? Absolutely not. Many of us got into consulting post-MBA without prior consulting experience. Indeed, this can be a strength as well, since we have (hopefully) demonstrated successful real-life experience. You have worked at large and/or well known companies, that's a good start since they are unlikely to hire just anyone.

If you want to try consulting, the best time is now. Go for it, practice, apply, get in, rock it. Don't let others tell you what you should or shouldn't have done before - but be ready to answer why consulting, why now.

Hope this help. Good luck!

9 Book a coaching with Guennael

Related BootCamp article(s)

Getting Up to Speed

In order to repeatedly demonstrate prerequisite skills under the pressure of a real case interview, you need to learn the basics and practice cases.

1 Q&A

Which companies are currently using written tests ?

All major firms like McKinsey, BCG and Bain use tests to assess a candidate's analytical skills. However the design of those tests can differ a lot.

Interviewer-Led vs Candidate-Led cases

Case Interviews can be led by the candidate or by the interviewer: In Candidate-led cases the main challenge is the structure. In Interviewer-led cases the main challenge is to adapt quickly

Related case(s)

Bain case: Asian lubricants producer

Bain & Company
Solved 128.7k times
Bain case: Asian lubricants producer LubricantsCo, a very successful Asian premium producer of lubricants in their native region, would like to further increase their revenue and profit. The product range ranges from lubricants in the automotive sector (e.g. motor and gear oil) to industrial applications (e.g. fats, heavy-duty oils). According to preliminary examinations, further growth potentials in the Asian core market are rather limited. Thus LubricantsCo would like to investigate options to internationalize in the passenger car business – also outside the premium segment which is given priority. Therefore your consulting firm was instructed to elaborate a market entry strategy for the European market.  
4.6 5 28342
| Rating: (4.6 / 5.0)
Difficulty: Beginner | Style: Real Case, Candidate-led (usual style) | Topics: Growth strategy, Market analysis, Market entry

LubricantsCo, a very successful Asian premium producer of lubricants in their native region, would like to further increase their revenue and profit. The product range ranges from lubricants in the automotive sector (e.g. motor and gear oil) to industrial applications (e.g. fats, heavy-duty oils). ... Open whole case

Bain Case: Old Winery

Bain & Company
Solved 54.3k times
Bain Case: Old Winery You have inherited the “Old Winery” from your grandfather, a winery which has been family owned for five generations and can be dated back to the 16th century. Half of the eleven hectares are used to grow white grapes, the other half to grow red grapes. They are grown in the conventional way, i.e. they are not organically farmed and certified. The vine stocks are in a good condition regarding age and care. Overall, only ¼ of the harvest is made into wine by the winery itself; the rest is sold. Your grandfather never wanted to change the image of the winery and left the managerial and administrative task to a young and energetic wine-maker. Due to the not so well-known brand , the demand for the “Old Winery” wine is currently rather low. You do not intent to run the winery operatively, given your limited knowledge of wine making, but find the idea of owning a winery exciting. Your plan is to give the winery some fresh impetus.
4.4 5 1426
| Rating: (4.4 / 5.0)
Difficulty: Intermediate | Style: Real Case, Candidate-led (usual style) | Topics: Growth strategy, Market analysis, Market sizing, Mergers & Acquisition

You have inherited the “Old Winery” from your grandfather, a winery which has been family owned for five generations and can be dated back to the 16th century. Half of the eleven hectares are used to grow white grapes, the other half to grow red grapes. They are grown in the conventional way, i.e. ... Open whole case

Roland Berger Case: Onlinestar

Roland Berger
Solved 36.4k times
Roland Berger Case: Onlinestar Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years as a result of an expansion of its product portfolio. The company mainly imports goods from Chinese manufacturers but also operates its own production of cat lavatories (special business) in Eastern Europe. The company sells its goods via Amazon and ebay, and recently via an online shop on its website. Despite this development, the financial ratios have deteriorated in recent years. In particular, gross profit margin decreased significantly. Combined with a significant increase in shipping costs, this led to a negative result for the first time in the recently ended fiscal year and a resulting strained financial situation. Against the background of expected stagnating sales for the current financial year, short-term action is required. The board of Onlinestar asks you for an analysis of the reasons for the negative result as well as a derived recommendation for action. As a consultant, you should bring in your knowledge in online trading and develop solutions. In addition, the management board would like to receive a sales and gross profit plan from you for the current financial year.
4.3 5 762
| Rating: (4.3 / 5.0)
Difficulty: Intermediate | Style: Real Case, Candidate-led (usual style) | Topics: Growth strategy, Market analysis, Profitability analysis

Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years as a result of an expansion of its product portfolio. The company mainly imports goods from Chinese manufacturers but also operates its own production of cat lavatories (special b ... Open whole case

McKinsey Questions

Solved 36.8k times
McKinsey Questions Tell me of a situation where you had an opinion and no one seemed to agree with you. What was your goal when you decided to join university / work / clubs / a sports team? Did you have a goal that you were not able to reach? What did you do? What do you want to be remembered for and how are you achieving it? What is your typical way of dealing with conflict?
4.5 5 851
| Rating: (4.5 / 5.0) |
Difficulty: Intermediate | Style: Fit interview | Topics: Personal fit

Tell me of a situation where you had an opinion and no one seemed to agree with you. What was your goal when you decided to join university / work / clubs / a sports team? Did you have a goal that you were not able to reach? What did you do? What do you want to be remembered for and how are you ... Open whole case

BCG Questions

Solved 25.2k times
BCG Questions What arouses your interest when you are working / studying / doing another activity (from the CV)? Tell me of a time where you had no idea what you were doing. When did you use an uncommon approach to do something? Have you ever had responsibility for other people? Tell me of a situation where you were not the official leader.
4.5 5 206
| Rating: (4.5 / 5.0) |
Difficulty: Intermediate | Style: Fit interview | Topics: Personal fit

What arouses your interest when you are working / studying / doing another activity (from the CV)? Tell me of a time where you had no idea what you were doing. When did you use an uncommon approach to do something? Have you ever had responsibility for other people? Tell me of a situation where ... Open whole case

Similar questions

Looking for a CV review before applying to consulting at Tier-1 firms in their Middle East offices. (MBB, Kearney, OW)
MBB background checks - Did I misrepresent my experience?
Categories of case questions
Does Partner referrals from different country's office work for landing an entry level role(Non-target) in India?
Best internships for getting an interview (Non-target school) for entry level (Non-MBA) roles at MBB in India?
Let go by MBB
McKinsey Interview Insights
Recruitment All year round
McKinsey PST
Average Price Decrease ?
Ask new question

Related companies

Career and application at Bain & Company Career and application at Roland Berger McKinsey & Company The Boston Consulting Group