Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant Bain & Company has six career levels: Associate Consultant, Consultant, Manager, Associate Partner, Partner, and Senior Partner. A first-year Associate Consultant in the US earns roughly $140,000 total compensation in 2026, climbing to $230,000 as a post-MBA Consultant, $360,000 as an Associate Partner, and…
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In the dynamic field of consulting, starting on the right foot can make all the difference in carving out a successful career. Whether you’re an aspiring consultant eager to make your mark in McKinsey, BCG, Bain or a seasoned professional looking to refine your approach, once you have passed the screening stages, preparation for the…
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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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I sat together with Mohammad Misbah, @theconsultingguy, on his Consulting Podcast to discuss the current trends in the industry and recruiting. We spoke about: Check out his channel and the video below or find it on Spotify: For other consulting-related interviews, check out Mohammad’s Youtube channel. For a free 1:1 consultation with Florian, please schedule…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated July 2026 The Bain SOVA test is Bain & Company’s online aptitude assessment: a screen you clear after the resume review and before the case interviews, used mainly in its European and Middle Eastern offices. Miss the mark and your application stops there, no matter how…
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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.
