By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 Yes, you can move from a Tier-2 firm to MBB, and you start from one of the strongest positions there is. If you are at Oliver Wyman, Kearney, L.E.K., Roland Berger, or Strategy&, you already do work that looks a lot like what McKinsey,…
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This article dives into the fascinating world of consulting buzzwords that define the industry. Consulting is known for its specialized language, filled with acronyms, jargon, and unique terms that can seem like a maze to outsiders – and sometimes even insiders. This language is not just about fancy words; it embodies the deep insights, strategies,…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant The most common consulting exit opportunities are private equity, corporate strategy, and startups/tech, with roughly two-thirds of post-MBA consultants leaving for one of these three within five years. Less common but premium paths include growth equity, venture capital, big tech product and BizOps roles,…
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Top-tier consulting firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are renowned for their rigorous selection process, with only 1% of applicants making the cut. But securing a position is just the beginning. These firms also employ the infamous ‘up or out’ principle, where consultants must continually prove their worth or face the possibility of being…
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The biggest competitors for McKinsey, BCG, and Bain when it comes to hiring are not tier-2 consulting firms but top-tier investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley (besides big tech companies). Many applicants I work with consider going into top-tier consulting or investment banking. In this article, I want to break…
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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.
