By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 The Bain case interview rewards one thing above all: answer first. You lead with a hypothesis (a clear, early point of view), then build a tight framework to prove or disprove it. McKinsey and BCG let you explore before you commit; Bain wants the…
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Updated June 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant Post-interview thank-you notes in consulting will not win you any offers, and they will not rescue a weak interview performance. In structured recruiting at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, your result is decided in a scored debrief among the people who evaluated you, usually within…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 15, 2026 Your heart is pounding, your mind goes blank mid-case, and you are convinced that one nervous moment just cost you the McKinsey offer. Case interview stress is the quiet reason strong candidates underperform, and the 1-in-100 odds make every wobble feel fatal. Here…
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Case interviews form a critical stage in the consulting recruitment process. These interviews are a unique blend of problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication. Amidst these crucial skills, an often underestimated yet central aspect is the art of taking notes effectively. While the notes you take during a case interview are not evaluated by your…
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Updated May 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant The MBB consulting ban period (also called the “cool-off period” or “reapplication policy”) is the time you must wait after a rejection before applying again to the same firm. McKinsey enforces a 18-24-month ban. BCG enforces 12 months for undergraduate / Master’s candidates and…
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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.
