Hello everyone!
I am based in India, and work with PwC’s Corporate Finance and Investment Banking team.
I am anticipating an interview with Bain for their Private Equity Practice. The exec search consultant told me that Bain will look at me at Manager level as I am a Senior Manager at PwC currently.
I want to understand what to anticipate from a lateral hiring process? Will the interviews be similar to campus hiring? How should I prepare?
(edited)
Hello!
Congrats!
For an experienced hire, the process is exactly the same, if so with some extra focus on FIT and less in the case -they assume you know how to-.
You have 2 main workstreams ahead:
1. FIT INTERVIEW - extra important for experienced hires
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
You can see plenty of reviews from candidates who purchased it already.
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.
Furthermore, you can find 3 FREE Expert Articles on PreLounge, in a sreies dedicated to preparing for the different parts of FIT:
1. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/cv-interview-questions
2. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/motivational-fit-interview-questions
3. https://www.preplounge.com/en/behavioral-interview-questions
Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch
2. BUSINESS CASE
1. Practice cases with partners asap, as many as you can do.Find experienced partners who can provide a good feedback
2. Practice your math skills, both in your cases and with ad hoc exercisess, such as:
1. Multiplying double digit numbers (you can find videos about this in Youtube, unfortunately we cannot post the link here but they are easy to find)
2. Leveraging math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice
Furthermore, you should practice as much as you can, and ensure that you cover:
1. Profitability cases- basic profitability framework.
2. Idea generation cases: for any specif issue
3. Growth cases: market penetration, new product launch, product mix change, etc.
4. Pricing cases
5. M&A cases
6. Valuation cases
7. Value chain cases
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hi there,
I am an experienced/lateral hire at BCG myself. The recruiting process is the same as applying for a generalist/junior role, the case can be a bit complicated and your performance is expected at higher level (obviously :-)). Your expertise is checked based on your CV but also during the FIT part. Your interviewers will be at least 50% Partner level.
If you want to find out more, please feel free to reach out directly and I also invite you to check this article that can answer some of your questions: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-into-consulting-as-an-experienced-hire
Good luck!
Lucie
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(edited)
Hi there,
The short answer is you need to ask them! They know best what they are planning to do.
It is likely that you will have a case and fit portion.
Here's some reading to prepare you for the case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case
And some reading for the fit: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question
Hi there,
First and foremost, you should ask for the interview structure from the recruiter. This way you'll have the most accurate breakdown of what you'll be expected to do.
Aside from this, you can expect the recruitment process to be very similar for all non-Partner roles. There's usually a case part and a personal fit part. As the seniority of the role you're applying for increases, they care more about the personal fit than the case. For instance, if you're a lateral hire applying for MBB, they're not going to grill you on the numbers, but they'll want to understand loads about how you work as a manager, stories of you at your best or your worst.
Best,
Cristian
Hi there, excited for your coming interview, Bain is a great place to work.
This is a bit office dependent, but if the information is right, and they will be looking at you for a generalist manager role I would be ready for:
- Additional interviews with the partner team
- Deeper conversations to understand the fit part
If they are looking at you more specifically for the PE practice, I would expect more targeted Cases, since there will likely be PE partners to interview you.
Wish you good luck, fingers crossed.
Best, Afonso
