By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 The McKinsey phone interview is a roughly 30-minute screening call, by phone or video, that some offices and roles use before the main interview rounds. It comes in two formats: a condensed phone case interview, usually run by HR or a firm alumnus, and…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant. Originally published July 27, 2021. Updated July 14, 2026. To prepare before starting at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, focus on three things in the weeks before day one: buy durable business attire and a carry-on suitcase that survives weekly flights, settle your home, admin, finances, and health, and…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 Good case interview communication means leading with your answer, signposting and numbering your points, cutting the filler, and listening closely to the interviewer. It is scored as heavily as your analysis, because the same structured thinking, delivered top-down and concisely, is what makes you…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant A McKinsey internship is a paid 8 to 10 week summer program, the Summer Business Analyst track for undergraduates and the Summer Associate track for MBAs, and it is McKinsey’s single biggest pipeline to a full-time offer. Fewer than 2 in 100 applicants get…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 A case interview is a job interview, used by consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, in which you solve a realistic business problem out loud while the interviewer scores your structuring, problem-solving, analytics, math, business judgment, and communication. A single case runs about…
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Florian spent five years at McKinsey as a Senior Consultant and is a highly experienced consulting interviewer and problem-solving coach. Having conducted interviews with hundreds of candidates, he understands exactly what top-tier firms look for in successful applicants.
He founded StrategyCase.com to make top consulting careers more accessible by providing tailored, up-to-date insights into the recruiting process. Recognized as the most successful case and fit interview coach, Florian has helped his clients secure 700+ offers at MBB, Tier-2 firms, Big 4 consulting divisions, in-house consultancies, and boutique firms over the past four years.
He is the author of “The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview,” “The 1%: Case Interview Workbook,” and “Consulting Career Secrets”, all available on Amazon.
