Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

In this overview, you will find all the questions asked so far by the PrepLounge community. Anyone can ask questions and write answers. Our coaches are also happy to share their expertise. If you like an answer, give it an upvote so that it rises to the top. Here you can also find our guidelines and FAQs for the Consulting Q&A.

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Market size of pill reducing sleep requirement

Experts market estimation Market sizing
Question edited on Jun 23, 2023
The best answer (on Jun 24, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 24, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, The worst thing you can do in that case - rush into calculating the market sie without identifying the future of the product. First of all, I would ask the interviewer if there is any specific segment that we wo ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
2.8 k
Views
22
Total Upvotes
on Jun 23, 2023 on Jun 23, 2023
Last Activity

Networking and Getting Referral on LinkedIn

Experts MBB networking Referral
Most recent answer on Feb 28, 2021
The best answer (on Jul 25, 2018) is from:
Benjamin
Expert
ex-Manager - Natural and challenging teacher - Taylor case solving, no framework
Benjamin
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 25, 2018
ex-Manager - Natural and challenging teacher - Taylor case solving, no framework
Hi, If you have no other option then I would recommand the "growth hacker" method :) : - Find somoene in common to introduce you : your success rate in getting connected will be much higher - if you don't find anybo ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
9.9 k
Views
29
Total Upvotes
on Feb 28, 2021 on Feb 28, 2021
Last Activity

Bain referral follow-up

Bain & Company Experts MBB
Most recent answer on Jan 31, 2021
Anonymous B gave the best answer on Sep 09, 2018
Hi I can understand your frustration. This is the time for university recruiting and naturally, they (recruiters) are busy. Most probably they are benchmarking your resume with others and you may receive a decision so ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
4.4 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Jan 31, 2021 on Jan 31, 2021
Last Activity

Market Entry Case - Inorganic Mode

Experts New Market Entry
Most recent answer on Dec 31, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Feb 25, 2019
Hi, Yes clarifying the objective (entering a new market) and the constraints (producing in the foreign country, licensing, acquisition, .. ) are great questions to ask in the beginning of the case. I would frame it ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
2.3 k
Views
8
Total Upvotes
on Dec 31, 2020 on Dec 31, 2020
Last Activity

MBA and Bachelor's Grades in CV

CV Experts MBB
Most recent answer on Nov 19, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jul 20, 2018
Hi, I would strongly suggest that you do not leave out your grade from your CV. As a screener and a recruiter, I can tell you that a lower GPA CV is much better than a no-GPA one - it builds trust that you are not hid ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
3.6 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Nov 19, 2020 on Nov 19, 2020
Last Activity

Dear experts, who are the consultants that I should follow on Twitter/LinkedIn?

Curation Experts Following MBB Social Media
Most recent answer on Nov 15, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jun 22, 2020
Hi there, I don't think there are famous consultants out there that have enough time to deliver their projects AND share insightful content :) I recommend you follow the Instagram and Linkedin accounts of the consul ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
1.4 k
Views
23
Total Upvotes
on Nov 15, 2020 on Nov 15, 2020
Last Activity

Engage interviewer during the case interview

Candidate-led interviews Experts
Most recent answer on Sep 16, 2020
The best answer (on Oct 22, 2018) is from:
Guennael
Expert
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews
Guennael
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 22, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews
You can ask soft questions; for example: "is it fair to assume ...?" "if that is ok with you, I'd like to look at ..." Don't forget also to take the interviewer through your thought process and math calculations. ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
2.4 k
Views
5
Total Upvotes
on Sep 16, 2020 on Sep 16, 2020
Last Activity

Hello experts in the house. Is a 230 word cover letter too short?

Cover letter Experts
Most recent answer on Aug 20, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Aug 20, 2020
Dear A, Add another paragraph on why you targeted this specific company (office, location). Best, André
3
Answers
1.7 k
Views
6
Total Upvotes
on Aug 20, 2020 on Aug 20, 2020
Last Activity

How to answer the question: Did you get an offer at XYZ?

Experts Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Apr 30, 2020
The best answer (on Apr 07, 2020) is from:
Luca
Expert
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached
Luca
Expert
gave the best answer on Apr 07, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached
Hello, What have you done in the meanwhile? If you have a good excuse to pretend that you received and offer but you wanted to wait (e.g. to finish your studies) you could say that you have them on hold to try Bain at ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
1.4 k
Views
32
Total Upvotes
on Apr 30, 2020 on Apr 30, 2020
Last Activity

Becoming an Expert

Bain BCG Experts MBB McKinsey
Most recent answer on Jan 04, 2020
The best answer (on Jan 04, 2020) is from:
Clara
Expert
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Clara
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 04, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Hello! Experts are experienced ex MBB consultants with a background in coaching/teaching. Is it the case? Cheers
1
Answer
2.2 k
Views
1
Total Upvotes
on Jan 04, 2020 on Jan 04, 2020
Last Activity

Expert track positions at McKinsey

Experts
Recent activity on Mar 26, 2019
The best answer (on Mar 26, 2019) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 26, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, 1) Yes for both questions. Feel free to reach out - I have a lot of ops cases from real McK interviews. 2) Yes for the first two questions. No for switching. McKinsey recently implemented an expert Track to the ... (read entire answer)
1
Answer
3.6 k
Views
1
Total Upvotes
on Mar 26, 2019 on Mar 26, 2019
Last Activity

Is it okay to mention insight from experts from PrepLounge in your interview/cover letter?

Application contacts Experts integrity MBB
Recent activity on Aug 29, 2018
Anonymous gave the best answer on Aug 29, 2018
I assume you mean specific insights on firms - e.g. "Bain's focus on Private Equity, especially in London, is very attractive for me". In this case, there is nothing wrong with giving these are reasons - if anything, I ... (read entire answer)
1
Answer
2.8 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Aug 29, 2018 on Aug 29, 2018
Last Activity

McKinsey application to multiple office

Application Experts McKinsey
Recent activity on Aug 06, 2018
The best answer (on Aug 06, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Aug 06, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, It works a bit differently. When you apply you can select multiple offices and then set the preferences (% of 100%). Thus if you get rejected - you get rejected from all of them at once. Answering your second q ... (read entire answer)
1
Answer
3.4 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Aug 06, 2018 on Aug 06, 2018
Last Activity

Cover letter while applying through referral

Application Cover letter Experts MBB Referral
Recent activity on Jul 20, 2018
The best answer (on Jul 20, 2018) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 20, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous, based on my experience a cover letter is generally not required if you apply through a referral – when I applied for interviews I did all my applications via referrals, and when the person directly refer ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
4.1 k
Views
14
Total Upvotes
on Jul 20, 2018 on Jul 20, 2018
Last Activity

Competitive response

competitive response Experts MBB
Recent activity on Jul 11, 2018
The best answer (on Jul 11, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 11, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, If you can't find the management with similar capabilities on the market / can't grow internally. But be aware of the possible legal consequences (e.g. Uber case) It means expanding your product line to for th ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
3.7 k
Views
6
Total Upvotes
on Jul 11, 2018 on Jul 11, 2018
Last Activity

How detailed should the initial structure be for broader cases like M&A, PE, Market Entry?

Case Interview case structure Experts M&A M&A Case market entry Private Equity
Recent activity on Jul 11, 2018
The best answer (on Jul 10, 2018) is from:
Sidi
Expert
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Sidi
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 10, 2018
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Hi! You are right - such a laundry list of buckets to look into feels (and actually is!) completely arbitrary. A structure to approach a case should be rooted in the actual question that you need to address. From th ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
3.1 k
Views
12
Total Upvotes
on Jul 11, 2018 on Jul 11, 2018
Last Activity

Growth startegy vs Revenue Growth

Experts growth strategy revenues
Recent activity on Jul 01, 2018
The best answer (on Jul 01, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 01, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi! In general, there are no strict guidelines and the interviewer may have both in mind. It's much more important when the question is being asked: In the beginning of the case as the main objective In the midd ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
3.2 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Jul 01, 2018 on Jul 01, 2018
Last Activity

Joint Venture

Case Interview Experts joint venture Mergers&Acquisitions
Recent activity on Jun 25, 2018
The best answer (on Jun 25, 2018) is from:
Dorothea
Expert
Ex-Oliver Wyman with 100% interview success rate - specialized in female career coaching
Dorothea
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 25, 2018
Ex-Oliver Wyman with 100% interview success rate - specialized in female career coaching
Hi Ashutosh, A joint venture is a subsidiary, jointly funded by two separate companies. The two companies act as partners and channel both know-how as well as capital into that subsidiary. It is important to note, tha ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
4.1 k
Views
12
Total Upvotes
on Jun 25, 2018 on Jun 25, 2018
Last Activity

Exit strategies

Case exit options Experts Mergers&Acquisitions
Recent activity on Jun 25, 2018
The best answer (on Jun 24, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 24, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, 1) It may be a private equity fund that buys the company, improves the performance and then sells the company in 4-7 years with a significantly higher price 2) There is a number of them: Physical assets (lan ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
3.8 k
Views
1
Total Upvotes
on Jun 25, 2018 on Jun 25, 2018
Last Activity

Application process advice for UAE office for MBB

application process Experts MBB UAE
Recent activity on Jun 19, 2018
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jun 19, 2018
While I can't speak to the Middle East specifically, having someone refer you (the more senior, the better) will always improve your chances of getting interviewed. Therefore, if you are concerned about not receiving ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
5.1 k
Views
15
Total Upvotes
on Jun 19, 2018 on Jun 19, 2018
Last Activity
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How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
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0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely