What is BCG Real Life?

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, BCG Real Life is a Germany- and Austria-specific, rare interviewing format where you essentially have to "act" like a consultant in three different situations. As such, I would highly advise you not to worry too much about it, especially since preparation is almost impossible either way.
• BCG Real Life works in a way where you are presented with a situation, you have a couple of minutes to prepare, and then you "act out" the situation with the interviewer. Situations may take the form of a fictional taxi ride with a client or sorting slides into a presentation.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on BCG Real Life situations, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

BCG Real Life is actually quite rare. 

While you'll constantly see me on this Q&A talking about how you need to be ready for “anything" this is one area where I'd actually go against that advice! It's so rare you likely don't need to worry about it and, furthermore, they will almost certainly tell you if it's going to happen.

As the prior Q&A indicates, this is essentially “Consulting role play”

Hi there,

1) BCG Real Life: does it apply to all offices? 

Based on the candidates I helped it is present during the process with BCG Germany. I haven't heard anyone from other countries who had it.

2) Can someone explain in a bit more detail what it entails and how to prepare for it?

My candidates got 3 questions, with around 12 minutes for each. The questions are about a hypothetical situation, usually with a client, colleague or a partner in the firm, where you need to complete a typical consulting task (eg convincing a client or presenting some information). Some tasks involve drawing slides and presenting them.

If you need help please feel free to reach out, I know a good number of questions they asked during the Real Life interview.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there, 

as Francesco highlighted, this is a format unique to BCG in Germany & Austria (G&A system) and is not tested anywhere else. 

What to expect?
This is a role play kind of format, where the interviewer gives you a prompt that's similar to a daily situation of an actual consultant in the firm (hence the name), which you are expected to master. This can span from communicating with a client to brainstorming exercises, to testing your ability to persuade others to structuring slides etc. - there are many different scenarios interviewers use (which keeps evolving) and and it's rather hard to guess which questions you'll be asked. That said, the skills and qualities the firm cares about has not fundamentally changed since BCG rolled out the format.

How to prepare for it?  
Most targeted way is to work with a coach from G&A who has actual interview experience in this area. 

If interested, happy to have a chat - I used to be a Real Life interviewer and have a comprehensive set of relevant questions to prep for. 

Hope this helps.

Hi,

great question! 

As I pointed out in the thread that you are referring to, this is a common interview method in the German offices. I cannot say if this interview style is used in other countries of BCG. 
 

What is BCG Real Life?

This part basically consists of 2 x 15 min conversation with different interviewers who want to see how you handle situations from a consultant‘s „real life“. This can be a taxi ride with the senior partner, meeting the customer CEO in the elevator doing a literal elevator pitch or dealing with a customer that doesn’t not want to cooperate. 

This part of the interview is about spontaneity and being able to improvise. As it is quite different from cases it is also difficult to prepare. The best way to prepare in my opinion is to talk to people, e.g. coaches, who have either been in those interviews or who have been in real life consulting situations to get an overview of the potential topics you might encounter in the real life interview. 
 

That being said, the key part of the second round is still the two case and personality interviews.

You can also find more information here. 

Reach out if you have more questions. 
Best 

Marvin 

Hi,

This is only for select offices. I can confirm this doesn't apply to Asia/SEA.

All the best!