Case Interview Hub Blog

How do you actually get staffed on projects at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain? We break down the official models, the four factors that really determine where you end up, the "staffing black market" nobody talks about, and how it all changes as you get more senior.

Lilli is the proprietary GenAI tool of McKinsey. Lilli has the ability to access McKinseys "KNOW" database. "KNOW" is McKinsey's knowledge database where all the knowledge from years of projects work is cofidied and classified in an easily accessible way for McKinsey consultants. Lilli has direct access to the "KNOW" database and thus can access all the project knowledge of McKinsey. It makes it a lot easier for consultants to draft quick letters of proporsal or structure a p

How does GenZ entering the workforce change consulting? McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are known for thier challenging work environment. From travelling weekly to the client to working long hours, often past midnight, every day. Do the MBB firms change because GenZ prefers a better lifestyle? We believe not as consultants are driven by clients. A consultant will not hire an expensive strategy consulting firm like McKinsey to have the consultants only work from 9 to 5.

Regular trianing is a staple at McKinsey especially in the first year on the job. McKinsey offers many world-class trianing programs with the goal of speeding up the development of the juniors. Besides the mandatory training in the first year, there are many optional offerings like excel and powerpoint training. But there are also offerings to develop soft skills like team room presence and giving & getting feedback.

Consultants at the MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) get fired for several reason. Some firing can be explained by the up-or-out principle. It means that if you don't climb the hierarchical ladder and progress in your career, you are fired. This is closely linked to bad performance. Later on as a consultant gets more senior, a reason for being fired can also be that they don't have the backing of partners. A partner is filling the project pipeline and if she doesn't bring you a

McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are notorious for the up-or-out principle. So the fact that people get fired if they don't progress in the career ladder. In reality, most people leave consulting on their own terms and only a minority is getting laid-off. So the up-or-out principle is a thing but it is rarely executed.

McKinsey, BCG, and Bain all hold many recruiting events. Many students and young professionals attending these events wonder whether they are evaluated. And the short answer is: Yes! But no worries, the large events will not be evaluated. But the small events with prior CV screening are evaluated. So make sure you make a good impression as your performance in the event will decide whether you will be invited to join one of the talent programs. For example McKinsey Firsthand o

All major consulting firms, ranging from MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) ot the Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) have on thing in common and that is a bad repuation. This is driven by multiple factors. Consulting firms are taking the blame if a project fails - this comes as a service to the clients/customers. But there are also many scandals in the consluting world.

There are many interesting reads for (soon-to-be) consultants. The content of the books is not only relevant for the work at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain but also quite intesting and helpful in general.