Updated May 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 May 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 June 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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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 June 2026 The McKinsey application process runs through five stages: an online application with a CV screen, the McKinsey Solve assessment, first-round interviews (cases plus the Personal Experience Interviews), second-round partner interviews, and the offer. End to end it usually takes one to three months, 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.
