Updated July 2026. By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant. The war for talent in consulting is the constant, high-stakes competition among firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain to attract and keep the small number of people who can actually do the work. It is a fight the consulting industry named itself in 1997, and…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant To get into consulting at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, you have to clear four gates in order: a screened resume and cover letter, online assessments like the McKinsey Solve game, and the case and fit interviews (usually two rounds). Fewer than 1% of applicants…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant A consulting coffee chat is a 25 to 45 minute informal conversation with a consultant (typically Senior Associate, Engagement Manager, or Partner) at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or another consulting firm, used by the firm to assess your fit and used by you to learn…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant A referral for McKinsey, BCG, or Bain is an explicit endorsement from a current consultant submitted alongside (or in advance of) your application, telling the recruiting team this candidate is worth a closer look. A strong MBB referral lifts your screening odds by 2-4x,…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant A consulting cover letter is a one-page, 250-to-400-word document that proves three things: you fit the consultant profile, you understand the specific firm, and you can write clearly under your own name. As of 2026, McKinsey and BCG make the cover letter optional for…
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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.
