By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant. Updated June 23, 2026. Ask anyone to name the top consulting firms and you get the same three back: McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. Yet most candidates cannot say what truly separates them, and that gap shows up in their applications and their interview answers. The Big 3 consulting…
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By Florian Smeritschnig, former McKinsey Senior Consultant · Updated June 2026 The McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview) is the behavioral half of the McKinsey interview, and it counts for as much as the case. Most candidates spend 95% of their prep on the case and treat the PEI as an afterthought. That is exactly why…
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In our latest series, ‘Global Consulting Insights,’ we aim to provide our readers with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles in consulting across top firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, and how these roles vary by geography. Our extensive network enables us to connect with industry experts from these leading consulting firms to share…
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Updated June 2026 · By Florian Smeritschnig, Former McKinsey Senior Consultant The McKinsey Solve Game, the firm’s assessment tool, is now an 85-minute, three-module test that filters out roughly 75-80% of candidates before they ever speak to a consultant. Red Rock, Sea Wolf, and the new Sustainable Future Lab all track process signals behind every…
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Embarking on your first consulting project can be both exhilarating and daunting, especially when aiming for success within the realms of top-tier consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. These firms set the gold standard in the consulting industry, demanding not only exceptional problem-solving skills but also an unparalleled ability to manage projects and client…
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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.
