Landing a role at one of the three big MBB management consulting companies, such as Boston Consulting Group, is a goal for many. They offer a prestigious name, an excellent salary package, and the opportunity for worldwide travel.
The problem is, you’re not alone! Every year, thousands of ambitious graduates make their bid to get selected, but the application process is arduous, and there is enormous competition.
These companies can and need to be selective in choosing from the applicants. They have a brand name and image to protect, and only the best candidate will succeed.
What are the steps in the selection process? How many applicants make it through each step? Are the interviews different for specialist roles like BCG Gamma? We’ll answer all of these common questions and more.
Time to Knuckle Down!
Let’s be honest from the start. Most applicants for a job at the MBB firms will fail. But don’t let that stop you from applying. If you have the right skill set and determination, you have as much chance as any other applicant.
The first thing to realize is that the pool of applicants for these companies is vast. To stand out from the crowd, you will have to be the best in your class, year, and beyond, to get through the first cut. This is a role you should have fixed your sights on from a very early stage in your education.
Aside from the benefits package of working for an MBB firm, it is a well-known fact that previous employees have become high-level politicians, Fortune 500 company CEOs, and hugely successful entrepreneurs. These are the types of people that would have made it to the top regardless.
Still interested in applying? Of course you are! We’ll take you through each stage of the selection process to help you succeed.
Initial Applications
This can arguably be the most difficult stage to get through, partly because it’s so unpredictable. It is paramount that you do everything possible to prevent your resume from ending up in the bin.
With such vast numbers of applicants, the companies need a quick way to thin the numbers. Often, junior consultants are used to screen the initial applicants. It’s not uncommon for them to receive a stack of 200 or more resumes, which they have to filter during their normal working day. For this reason, any inconsistency or mistake on the resume will see it flying into the bin.
You must do everything in your power to get through the first stage, and one great help is some serious networking. Through your network, try to find the following;
- Connections that have applied in the past
- Connections that made it through
- Contacts in the office you are applying to
The first two steps above will help you understand what is required to get past the initial stage. The final step could make all the difference. A good contact in the office may be able to push your resume through to the next stage.
Pre-Interview Assessment
Congratulations, you’ve already beaten around half of your competitors if you’ve made it to this stage! Yes, that’s right, around 50% of applicants won’t make it this far.
The next step involves screening tests, which have traditionally been similar to Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) questions. However, this may not be the case, so use your network connections again to check and also speak to the HR department for advice.
Get through this stage, and you find yourself in the top 20% of all applicants. So before you’ve got anywhere close to an interview, around 80% of applicants have been rejected.
The most common assessment in recent years has been the BCG Potential Test, but this is likely due for an update in the same way McKinsey has moved from the PST to the Digital Assessment.
Interview Rounds
If you’ve made it this far, it’s through a combination of excellent preparation and a little good luck, but the journey is far from over. During this stage, you are going to face the part many fear most, the case interview.
In this short article, we cannot hope to discuss the case interview in detail. You will need to be well prepared for this stage if you wish to impress.
In short, the case interview presents you with a complex business problem to solve. It’s a conversational style interview, with the interviewer giving you an initial brief, then asking you questions and giving you additional data and charts as you go along.
You are not allowed a computer or calculator, just a paper and pen, plus there will be extreme time pressure placed on you. Bear in mind, though, that getting the “right” answer is not the aim. The interviewer is more interested in your approach and the way you communicate.
If you are applying for a role at BCG Gamma, specializing in technology consulting, the case interview will probably focus on real problems in your particular field.
Prepare for the Fit Questions
While the case study is important, consultancies also put a strong emphasis on the fit questions. You may perform perfectly during the case study part of the interview, but answer the fit questions badly and don’t be surprised if you aren’t offered a role with the firm.
Why do they put so much emphasis on the fit questions?
- The high level of staff turnover
- Staff burnout. They want to check your commitment.
- Is consulting really the job for you?
The bottom line is, make sure you spend time perfecting your answers to fit style questions.
Should You Pay for Coaching?
There are several ways to get help preparing for the job application;
- Free or low-cost online resources
- Books and articles
- Practicing with friends
- Professional coaching
While the free and low-cost methods will certainly help, there is no substitute for working with a professional service if you can afford it. Other applicants will be spending as much as they can on coaching because the prize at the end is that high-paying, high-profile consulting role with an MBB firm.
You need to put aside many weeks and hours of preparation time if you are going to succeed.
Go For It!
This short article has outlined the steps you need to take when applying for a role at BCG or one of the other MBB firms. Preparation is the key, so start as soon as possible, perfect the resume and cover letter, and get as much help as you can with the tests and interview.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
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