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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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 Yes, you can join McKinsey, BCG, or Bain as an experienced hire, and a large, growing share of every office is exactly that. You apply laterally, outside the campus cycle, and you enter at a level set by your experience: roughly the post-MBA Consultant…
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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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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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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 The Pyramid Principle is a top-down communication method created by Barbara Minto at McKinsey: you lead with your main answer (the governing thought), support it with three or four grouped arguments, and back each argument with evidence. Instead of walking the listener through your…
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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.
