Category: Industry discussion

How the up-or-out promotion system works inside McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.

Up or Out in Consulting: What Really Happens Inside MBB

By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant. Updated July 2026. Up or out in consulting is the principle that you either get promoted to the next level within a set window, usually two to three years, or you leave the firm. It sounds brutal, and the phrase scares almost every new joiner at McKinsey, BCG,…
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StrategyCase.com cover for the top 10 consulting firms in the Middle East, featuring a modern Middle Eastern skyline and regional map.

Top 10 Consulting Firms in the Middle East: 2026 Ranking

Updated July 16, 2026 | By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant The top consulting firms in the Middle East in 2026 are McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, followed by Strategy&, which runs the region’s largest strategy practice with roughly 1,000 consultants, then Oliver Wyman, Kearney, and the consulting arms of Accenture, PwC, Deloitte, and EY.…
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the image is the cover for an article on consulting recruiting slowdown and hiring freeze

Consulting Recruiting in 2023: Slowdown or Freeze? (2024 Update)

One of the most common concerns I currently read across all consulting job boards and discuss with my clients is that everyone feels the slowdown in hiring with firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. On top of that, I see decreasing activity in article views, and coaching requests (not just myself but colleagues as…
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the image is the cover for a McKinsey recruiting update for 2021 and the pandemic

McKinsey Global Recruiting Update (February 2021)

McKinsey just published an article, providing an update on their global recruiting during the pandemic and their outlook for 2021. The interview with Brian Rolfes, the partner in charge of global recruiting provides positive news for job seekers, aiming to start their McKinsey career. Let’s quickly break down what you have to expect when you…
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the image is the cover for an article on consulting work hours and work-life balance

How to Manage Your Work-Life Balance in Top Consulting Firms

In the world of management consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, the relentless pursuit of excellence meets the personal quest for well-being head-on. The industry, known for its high-stakes deals and rigorous schedules, often paints a picture where the scales of work and life are in perpetual imbalance. The notion of finding harmony between…
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