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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Updated May 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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Master the McKinsey Technical Expertise Interview (TEI) – your gateway to a diverse range of technical roles at McKinsey, from analytics to programming. As McKinsey expands its portfolio, the TEI has evolved, offering unique challenges across various domains like product engineering, design, agile coaching, and more. The TEI aims to evaluate the blend of your…
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The McKinsey phone interview is a recruiting device that is employed in various offices across the globe or used for very specific roles. It is a crucial step for many candidates eager to kick off their McKinsey careers. Currently, there are two types of phone interviews McKinsey is conducting, In this article, I want to…
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In the dynamic field of consulting, starting on the right foot can make all the difference in carving out a successful career. Whether you’re an aspiring consultant eager to make your mark in McKinsey, BCG, Bain or a seasoned professional looking to refine your approach, once you have passed the screening stages, preparation for the…
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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.
