Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy

Latest Episodes:

10: The Strategy Study May 10, 2011

Show notes

McKinsey, BCG et al engagements are very different from the stories typically depicted on blogs etc. Too often the writer seems intent on explain how long the hours are and the need to do analyses. That is part of the picture but far from the entire story. Many of these stories are also written bottom-up with an associate or analyst seeing things from their relatively narrow view without a proper feel for the higher level discussions.

9: The Impossible Candidates Lessons May 04, 2011

Show notes

Here we talk about the unusual tactics we used to place a musician into BBM Europe who had just a master's degree in music, from an elite institute and 4 years of experience in the Arts. Lacking a business background she decided to make the transition after her marriage. The tactics are not surprising, but the execution is.

8: Lessons in not placing a successful Wharton MBA Apr 28, 2011

Show notes

Having a brilliant profile and credentials is good, but not great. In this podcast we discuss the hurdles which caused a brilliant Wharton MBA to stumble during their interviews. Much came down to the candidate simply not understanding the consulting culture and not acting on feedback. Moreover, McKinsey, especially BCG, look for reserved leaders versus over-confidence. That balance is crucial.

7: English-speaking offices Apr 22, 2011

Show notes

Aspiring consultants typically struggle at this selection and arrive at the wrong strategy. When you live in a country with just one BBM office, like most countries, how do you select a 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice? How many options do you realistically have and how do you size them up? Are the UAE and Singapore your only options? This podcast addresses these issues.

6: Advice on speaking like a consultant Apr 16, 2011

Show notes

If you read forums worldwide everyone is obsessed with cracking the case. Yet, most people cannot communicate like a consultant. We hope by reading this post, candidates spend an equal, if not more, time focusing on their communication skills as well. If you cannot speak like a consultant, you cannot be a consultant.

5: Families and McKinsey Apr 10, 2011

Show notes

No one will say this, but you should not be planning a family in the formative/early years of McKinsey or BCG. While firms go to great lengths to extol the virtues of their family friendly cultures, at the end of the day, the numbers say otherwise. It is very difficult to balance family demands and the pressures of a McKinsey engagement. It is best to select phases in your life, and early in you career, focus on career building. Related: - The Consulting offer 2: The Challenges of A Chinese female PhD Purusing Consulting - Quarterly Article: Why there are so few female management consulting partners

4: Anatomy of a McKinsey Networking Event Apr 04, 2011

Show notes

The most important piece of feedback for a McKinsey, BCG et al networking event is to do nothing. You actually want to draw as little attention to yourself as possible. Networking events are really formats where consulting firms market themselves. There are obviously exceptions, but rarely is this going to be a moment for you to market yourself. For one, there is too much happening around you and you will almost never get an opportunity to dazzle anyone. Related: The Consulting Offer season 2, Episode 1 Partner Networking and Resume Feedback Quarterly article: Networking with Management Consulting Partners

3: McKinsey and BCG Networking Mar 29, 2011

Show notes

Unless you have a stellar resume and profile, you will likely need to do some form of networking to secure an interview. Most aspiring consultants cannot network and treat networking as a "tick-the-box" set of coffee chats and phone discussions. Related: The Consulting Offer season 1, Partner Networking Emails

2: Screening McKinsey Resumes Mar 23, 2011

Show notes

This podcast introduces and discusses the steps firms like McKinsey use to screen and review resumes. Consulting firms and recruiters essentially look for five things: 1 Your school 2 Grades at school 3 Stature of employers 4 Achievements at work 5 Personal experience

1: Importance of GMAT Scores Mar 17, 2011

Show notes

This podcast answers the following reader question on GMAT scores and their relevance versus GPA scores when applying to consulting firms.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected