The “Great Resignation” or the “Big Quit” refers to the idea that many people have become disengaged and disenchanted with their jobs and employers. Some experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, as many people have been forced to work from home and have become disillusioned with the traditional 9-to-5 workday. Additionally,…
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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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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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Updated June 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant To get into consulting at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, you have to clear four gates in order: a screened resume and cover letter, online assessments like the McKinsey Solve game, and the case and fit interviews (usually two rounds). Fewer than 1% of applicants…
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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.
