Look at which firms have the better opportunities post your time with them (MBA, Clients, reputation, alumni network) and also factor those in to your decision making process. Both are good firms at the end of the day

First of all, congratulations on the offers from 2 really great companies!

Second, I fully agree with the views in the previous responses, so just to add 2 things that you may want to ask yourself:

• What was your personal experience during the interviews? Did you feel a better match (culture, communication style, overall atmosphere) with any of the two firms?
• Are there any major differences in specialization and focus on practice areas? e.g., if you like consumer goods, is one of the two stronger for the locations in question.

Don't forget that the interview process is a 2-way street. After 2-3 rounds with each, I'm sure you already have an 'eval' for both, trust it.

Konstantinos

Hi there,

I'm actually surprised the salary + bonus is that much higher! I would also have trouble making that decision.

I think it comes down to your goals - are you trying to maximize value in the next 2-3 years or the next 5+? It would be worth looking at whether the pay structure evens out (or Bain pulls ahead) as your rise up the ranks.

One final thing I would suggest is, if you're truly on the fence, ask Bain if they can increase the salary + bonus. Flag that Kearney has provided an offer with 40% higher pay. Say that if they can even provide a 20% bump you'd sign on the dotted line.

Be honest with yourself about which offer you would truly be happy with at the end of the day. Then, figure out what the $ gap is and ask for it! No harm no foul.

Hello!

First of all, super congrats for those interviews!

What a lovely issue to have :)

Second, I am really surprised that the differences are SO high!

TBH, money is improtant. Anyone who tells the opposite is lying.

However, there are other things that are more:

• Exit opportunities
• Alumni network
• Futher education opportunities

In those 3, BAIN is clearly superior, and this is the reason why I would go with them. MBB >>>> Tier 2 as a general rule.

Furthermore, have you tried negotiating the offer? It seems that you are being hired in a more tenured position in Kearney, since this would explain the difference.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offers. Are you 100% sure you are accounting for everything in the salary comparison? The difference seems too large if the position is the same.

They are both great firms and Bain is not that strong in the ME as in other markets.

The difference in salary long term is not going to be that important. I would instead consider the following:

1. Where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Based on that, look for how many alumni are more present in that field. It is not relevant that Bain has more Alumni, if they are not related to what you really want to do in your life. If you still don't know, everything equal the Bain brand is stronger.
2. If you consider the average consultant/partner you talked to in each company, which one would you rather be? Quoting Jim Rohn, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. And you will spend a lot of time with your colleagues in the next years. Be sure you chose a company where people are close to the person you want to become.
3. What is your gut feeling telling you? Our gut feeling is able to catch elements we cannot rationalize. You may “feel” a company is better, but don’t know exactly why. Don’t base your decision on that only, but dig deeper on why you feel that way.

If you want to do extra due diligence, contact Alumni (not current consultants) that worked ideally for both. You will learn more in a 30min call with them than with any online research you may do.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

Congrats on both offers!

I would start by answering these questions: What are your values? What do you want to achieve in consulting (in 2 years, in 5 years, etc.)? Do you value money over prestige or vice versa? What exit options you are looking for? What kind of projects you are interested more in?

Tier2 companies as Kearney compete with MBB on pretty much the same level, so the question of prestige is not really that present.

My advice: don't accept the offer from company XY just because your colleague/ peer/ friend / mentor said so, do what you feel like doing most.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

GB

Hey,

Congrats!

A quick answer for you- choose that which is a better fit to your values, career aspirations & risk profile. Choose that which will allow you to do what you really want to do & help you achieve your mid term goals (2-5 yrs). Long term planning is very difficult in this environment. Rest will follow if you make the right moves. Dont let money alone be the deciding factor.

All the best choosing.

Hey there,

Good answers already here.

My thinking would be to compare the lifetime benefits of both offers (exit opportunities, network, salary progression, experience, brand, etc), which is higher for Bain than for Kearney, hence I'd choose Bain in your position.

Cheers,

Florian