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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Updated August 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant A first-year Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company in the US earns roughly $140,000 total compensation in 2026, climbing to $245,000 as a post-MBA Associate, $290,000 as an Engagement Manager, $420,000 as an Associate Partner, and $500,000 to $1.2 million+ at the Partner and…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated September 2026 The McKinsey Technical Expertise Interview (TEI), also called the Technical Experience Interview, is the interview McKinsey uses for technical and digital roles: one opening question about a real project from your past, followed by 15 to 20 probing follow-ups. It tests how you think…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 The McKinsey phone interview is a roughly 30-minute screening call, by phone or video, that some offices and roles use before the main interview rounds. It comes in two formats: a condensed phone case interview, usually run by HR or a firm alumnus, and…
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Updated July 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant A McKinsey internship is a paid 8 to 10 week summer program, the Summer Business Analyst track for undergraduates and the Summer Associate track for MBAs, and it is McKinsey’s single biggest pipeline to a full-time offer. Fewer than 2 in 100 applicants get…
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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.
