How to choose a Coach + best frequency for maximum growth?

Hi Anon,

Before going into a call with anyone, i would take note of the following things about myself so that you can utlise the time as best as possible and make sure that you cover all the areas that need to be addressed: 

• What type of interviews do you want: Interviewer led e.g. McKinsey, Interviewee led BCG etc.
• Struggle areas e.g. I struggle with maths, I struggle with sounding convincing, timing, market sizing cases are hard etc.
• Strengths e.g. I am good at Profit and Loss cases, I am personable, my fit answers are strong etc.
• Timelines before the next interview
• Schedule e.g. how often you can case
• Access to case partners: do you have peers you can case with? Do you have a school consulting club you can join? 

You can ask the coach if they have the ability to help with:

• The correct type of case: ask them for success stories  
• Correcting your struggle areas
• Honing your strengths
• Have expereince in all interviews levels e.g. round 1, 2 etc.
• Do they have the time for your schedule
• Can they give you access to other case partners

Hope this helps!

Happy to chat  :) My first session is free

"is there a specific attribute that will make me understand whether they're suited for me?"

That specific attribute depends on your own specific needs :)

On my case, as a coach, what I can tell you is that on the first session we'll cover the key topics and work in a way where you will see immediate real improvement, and will gain insights that will make your own preparation time much more effective. 

To me what is important is not to do a "5 session plan", is to make sure that each session helps you improve a lot, and that if you don't have the resources, you will get a lot of benefit just from doing 2 or 3 sessions (and many candidates are able to secure an offer after a single session). 

I don't suggest doing a session per month, ideally more that 2-3 weeks separation between sessions might be too long.

Hi,

Great question — and it’s smart to be intentional about choosing a coach, especially if sessions are limited.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Background fit – Choose someone who understands your profile and goals (e.g. generalist vs. expert track, industry switch, non-traditional background). Their experience should reflect where you’re trying to go.
2. Coaching style – Some coaches are structured and direct, others more supportive and exploratory. Look for reviews or reach out with a quick message to get a sense of their style.
3. Actionable feedback – You want someone who gives clear, honest, and specific guidance you can work on independently between sessions.

Since you’re aiming for one session per month, make it count:

• Use each session to identify your top 2–3 gaps
• Ask for a clear practice plan to work on in between
• Consider rotating between mock sessions and targeted drills (e.g. fit, math, structuring)

One great coach with the right fit will always beat more sessions with the wrong one. You're already approaching this the right way.

Hi there, 

There are lots of good ones, so the probability of making a wrong choice is rather small. 

Have a readthrough their profiles, their reviews, get a sense of them and perhaps do an intro call. 

What's important to know that coaching is not a commodity good, meaning they don't actually all offer the same things because they are like a mentor, a teacher, with their own specific methodology, experience and angle. So even though the finances are tight, what matters more is finding somebody that works well for you, rather than somebody that you can afford for x amount of sessions. Almost always it's better to do fewer sessions of a higher impact than the alternative.

Adding below a couple of materials to help you with the prep.

• Cheatsheet: The Must-Know Consulting Terms for Interviews
• Expert Guide: Mastering Structuring & Brainstorming

Best,
Cristian

Hi,

I would recommend to reach out to look for a coach with the best personal fit.

Feel free to reach out via chat and schedule a free intro call to discuss best way forward.

Mattijs

Real interview experience, reviews, personal affinity and commitment

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, I see that Charlotte from PrepLounge has already shared a lot of information on this topic.
• Moreover, if you have a really specific situation, the right coach will be the one who can meet those specific needs.
• Lastly, I would advise you to remember that, as with anything in life, you get what you pay for to a certain extent, so choosing your coach primarily on the basis of price per coaching session may not yield the best results for you.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Q: Is there a specific attribute that will make me understand whether they're suited for me?

To find a coach matching your needs, I would recommend the following:

1. Go to the main page listing the coaches: https://www.preplounge.com/en/case-coach
2. Filter the coaches based on your criteria (eg budget, reviews)
3. Read reviews/profiles – define a shortlist (eg 3-5 coaches)
4. Send a message to the coaches with your questions and what you would like to work on to see if there is a match. In your particular case, ask about whether they are find with your monthly timeline and any other needs you might have
5. Select the coach that best suits your needs

As a bonus point: you can check their Q&A answers (there is a section called “Q&A Answers” at the bottom of the profile) – it should give you an idea of the style of the coach and if it matches what you are looking for.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there! 

Thanks for your question – it's a really important one, especially if you can only afford coaching occasionally and want to make the most out of each session.

A good coach can add significant value by giving you targeted feedback, helping you sharpen your skills efficiently, and offering insights based on experience with many candidates. But since every coach has a different background and approach, it's important to find someone who matches your specific needs.

Here are a few aspects to consider when choosing:

Language & Time Zone
Do you prefer practicing in your native language, or would you rather simulate the interview in the language of your target office (usually English)? Time zone availability might also play a role depending on your schedule.

Firm-Specific Support
Even if a coach hasn’t worked at a specific firm, many have supported dozens of candidates applying there – and often receive detailed feedback from them. So they usually know what types of questions are asked and what interviewers focus on.

Your Focus Areas
What do you want to improve?

• Structuring and communication?
• Calculations and business judgment?
• Fit questions or CV optimization?
• Or soft skills like confident delivery and storytelling?

The clearer you are on your goals, the easier it is to find the right match.

To help you make an informed decision, we recommend checking out this blog article:
👉 How to choose the right coach + coaching frequency

And if you're currently not in a position to book a session, you might want to join one of our free webinars. They’re a great opportunity to learn directly from an experienced coach at no cost, and cover a range of useful topics.
Here’s the link to the next one:
👉 Free live webinar – Register here

Wishing you all the best with your prep. You're already off to a strong start by approaching this thoughtfully! 

Charlotte

PrepLounge Team