Author: Florian Smeritschnig

Failed consulting interview comeback plan for candidates preparing to reapply and improve their interview performance

Failed Consulting Interview? The 2026 Comeback Plan

Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant A failed consulting interview at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain is not a verdict, it is information. Roughly 20% of current MBB consultants landed their offer on the second attempt, after addressing the specific gap that caused their initial rejection. The candidates who succeed on…
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StrategyCase.com cover showing a young consultant climbing steps toward career growth and success.

Your First Year in Consulting: 9 Insider Rules to Survive and Stand Out

By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant. Updated July 2026. Your first year in consulting is judged less on raw intelligence than on four things: how visible you are, how much ownership you take, how error-free your work is, and how fast you learn. Get those right and you will do well at McKinsey, BCG,…
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StrategyCase.com cover for consulting networking, showing connected professional profiles and relationships that lead to job offers.

Consulting Networking 2026: How to Build Relationships That Land Offers

Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant Consulting networking is the year-long process of building relationships with current consultants at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other target firms so that by the time you formally apply, you have at least one referral, multiple internal advocates, and direct insight into the office and…
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