do i need a cover letter for bain

Hacking the Case Interview

A well-written Bain cover letter can make the difference between landing a Bain interview and getting rejected. Especially for borderline candidates, a clear and concise Bain cover letter can share your unique background and get yourself through the resume review stage.

I’m a former Bain Manager and interviewer and I’ve read hundreds of different cover letters. If you’re looking for a simple, step-by-step guide to writing the perfect Bain cover letter, then this article is for you.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover what Bain looks for in a cover letter, how to write a Bain cover letter, and insider Bain cover letter tips to help yourself stand out.

If you need professional help crafting the perfect consulting resume, check out our consulting resume review and editing service . Transform your resume into one that will land you multiple consulting interviews.

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a brief document sent with a resume to provide additional information about your skills and experiences. It introduces you to the employer, explains why you are a great fit for the job, and expresses your enthusiasm for the position.

A typical cover letter includes your contact information, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

• Contact information : Provides your email address, phone number, and home address so that recruiters can contact you
• Introduction : Introduces yourself and mentions the job you are applying for
• Body : Highlights your qualifications and how they match the job requirements, providing specific examples to demonstrate your fit for the role
• Conclusion : Expresses enthusiasm for the position and thanks the employer for considering your application

Cover letters are typically tailored to the specific job or company that you are applying to. They should be clear, concise, and professional.

Does Bain Require a Cover Letter?

While Bain does not require a cover letter for most of their applications, a well-written Bain cover letter can significantly help you get past the initial screening stage and land an interview. Including a Bain cover letter can help make your application stand out and make it easier for recruiters to get to know you better.

Bain receives hundreds of thousands of resumes and applications every year. Bain uses cover letters to help screen candidates and narrow down the list of potential candidates to interview. The Bain cover letter is another data point in your application profile.

Additionally, cover letters are occasionally read by Bain consultants that are interviewing you. Interviewers will sometimes read your cover letter to get to know you better before meeting you. Learning more about your background and experiences makes the interview easier to conduct and run more smoothly.

Regardless of whether you decide to submit a cover letter, make sure to spend the majority of your time crafting the perfect consulting resume . Your resume is by far the most important component of your application.

What Does Bain Look For in a Cover Letter?

In a cover letter, Bain looks for problem solving skills, a results-oriented track record, leadership, and passion. These are all skills or qualities necessary to become a successful Bain consultant based on Bain’s interviewing website .

Problem Solving

Bain values problem solving skills because they are essential for diagnosing client issues, developing strategies, and implementing impactful solutions for clients. Strong problem solving skills enable consultants to adapt to a dynamic business environment.

Results-Oriented Track Record

Bain has a long history of achieving results for their clients. Having a results-oriented track record demonstrates an ability to deliver tangible, measurable results when working with clients. Bain places a heavy emphasis on results to ensure that their recommendations are not just theoretically sound, but also practical and effective.

The work at Bain is extremely collaborative and you’ll typically be working in small teams of 4-6 consultants. Bain values leadership because it reflects a consultant’s ability to inspire, guide, and manage teams effectively. This ensures successful project completion and client satisfaction.

Bain values passion because it enables consultants to go above and beyond in their work. Passion enables consultants to stay motivated, committed, and be driven to excel in their work. Additionally, it brings out energy and enthusiasm in people, which positively impacts team dynamics and client relationships.

How to Write a Bain Cover Letter

There are five steps to writing the perfect Bain cover letter: the contact information, the salutation, the opening paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the concluding paragraph.

We’ll cover how to write each of these sections step-by-step below, including what information to include and examples.

1. Contact Information

At the top of your Bain cover letter, you should include your contact information to make it easy for any Bain recruiter to contact you. In order of priority, you should list your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.

To make your name stand out, make sure to bold it and make the font size significantly larger than the rest of your cover letter.

Here is an example of how this should look:

[email protected]

(123) 456-7890

123 Main Street,  San Francisco, CA 94105

2. Salutation

Next, you should start your Bain cover letter with an appropriate and customized salutation.

Do not start your cover letter with “To whom it may concern,” as this salutation is not personalized and feels cold.

Instead, identify which recruiter is the primary point of contact for you and address the cover letter to that recruiter and their team. If you can’t identify the head recruiter, address the cover letter to members of the consulting firm’s recruiting team.

Here are a few examples of salutations you can use:

• Dear [Recruiter] and members of the Bain Recruiting Team,
• To [Recruiter] and the Bain Recruiting Team,
• Dear members of the Bain Recruiting Team,

3. Opening Paragraph

The opening paragraph of your Bain cover letter is the most important part of the cover letter. Most recruiters will likely only read the opening paragraph of your cover letter and skim the rest of the cover letter.

Therefore, you should spend most of your time making this opening paragraph clear, concise, attention-grabbing, and memorable.

The opening paragraph should consist of two sentences:

• A sentence summarizing your background and credentials
• A sentence summarizing why you would be a great fit for the specific role you are applying for

The first sentence of your opening paragraph should be a powerful statement that summarizes your areas of expertise and the number of years of experience. If you had to summarize your entire background and work experience into one sentence, what would it sound like?

This powerful opening sentence is used to grab the reader’s attention and introduce yourself in an impressive way.

The second sentence of your opening paragraph should summarize why you would be a great fit for the specific role you are applying for.

Do your research to ensure that you are using the correct job title since many consulting firms have different job titles for similar positions.

Bain’s post-undergraduate role is called Associate Consultant while their post-MBA role is called Consultant. Their undergraduate summer internship role is called Associate Consultant Intern (ACI) while their MBA summer internship is called Summer Associate (SA).

The second sentence of your opening paragraph should list three reasons why you would be a great fit for Bain and the role. These three reasons will each become a paragraph in the body paragraphs section of your Bain cover letter.

What reasons should you select or pick?

Ideally, you should research the exact qualities or skills that Bain looks for and make these the three reasons you provide. We’ve done this research for you and highly recommend touching upon these skills or qualities:

• Problem solving skills
• Results-oriented track record

Here is an example of what an opening paragraph should look like:

I am a marketing professional with four years of experience working on digital marketing projects that have generated over $100M in revenue at Netflix and Amazon. I believe my problem solving skills, leadership, and passion make me a great fit for Bain.

4. Body Paragraphs

The next part of the perfect Bain cover letter are the body paragraphs. You will have three body paragraphs, one for each of the reasons you provided in the second sentence of your opening paragraph on why you’d be a great fit for Bain and the role.

These body paragraphs should best highlight your qualities and experiences.

Each of your body paragraphs should start with a bolded sentence that summarizes the entire paragraph. We bold the first sentence of each body paragraph to make your cover letter easier to be skimmed.

 Remember, most Bain recruiters are most likely going to be reading just your opening paragraph and perhaps the first sentence of each body paragraph. Therefore, take the time to make sure the first sentence of your body paragraphs are clear, concise, and impactful.

Ideally, you should include numbers in these summary sentences to quantify your achievements and results. However, you can also keep the summary sentence high-level and include numbers later on in the details of the paragraph.

After this first initial sentence, you can use the remainder of each body paragraph to describe the story or experience in more detail that the first sentence summarized.

Keep your body paragraphs concise. This increases the likelihood that the reader will actually read through the full cover letter. You do not want to have three large, chunky paragraphs.

Repeat this format and structure for each of your three middle paragraphs.

You can consider turning your three body paragraphs into three bullet points. This makes your cover letter easier to read or skim.

Here is an example of what a body paragraph should look like:

My passion for using data to drive tangible results helped me develop a customer ROI model that saved Amazon $50M per year.  I analyzed over 500K customer data points to create a model forecasting customer value. I quantified how much the average happy customer was worth versus a neutral and unhappy customer. From this model, I discovered that Amazon’s recent customer initiative of giving credit to unhappy customers had a drastically negative ROI. I persuaded the CFO to stop running this initiative and use the budget for higher ROI projects.

5. Concluding Paragraph

The final part of the perfect Bain cover letter is the concluding paragraph. This final paragraph should be very short, just two sentences.

In the first sentence, summarize the three reasons why you’d be a great fit for Bain and the role. This may sound redundant, but it is helpful to take this approach to reinforce the key messages you are trying to deliver.

In the opening paragraph, you told the reader the three key points you are going to tell them in the body paragraphs. In the body paragraphs, you told the reader these three key points. Finally, in the concluding paragraph, you remind the reader of the three key points you just told them.

This is an extremely clear and effective structure that makes your cover letter clear and memorable.

The second and final sentence of your Bain cover letter should be a call to action. The entire point of the cover letter is to get the reader interested in your application and give you an interview.

Therefore, you’ll want to mention getting an opportunity to further discuss your skills and qualities in an interview as the next step or action item for the reader to take.

Here is an example of what a concluding paragraph should look like:

Due to my problem solving skills, leadership, and passion, I believe I have all the qualities to become a successful Bain consultant. I would love the opportunity to be extended an interview at Bain to further discuss my candidacy and fit.

Bain Cover Letter Common Mistakes

There are many common Bain cover letter mistakes that the majority of candidates make. Common Bain cover letter mistakes include: name dropping, lengthy cover letters, poor formatting, rephrasing your resume, lack of evidence for claims, typos and grammatical errors, and generic statements.

Name Dropping

Name dropping can backfire if not done properly. Simply mentioning the names of Bain consultants you've interacted with can seem superficial if it was not a meaningful interaction.

Instead, focus on articulating the insights or experiences gained from these interactions and how they have shaped your interest in Bain. Show that your connection to Bain goes beyond just knowing people. Demonstrate your understanding of Bain’s culture and values.

Lengthy Cover Letters

A lengthy cover letter can be a major turn-off for recruiters who sift through hundreds or thousands of applications every day. Aim for conciseness and clarity, ensuring every sentence adds value.

Highlight your most relevant experiences and skills succinctly, showing respect for the reader’s time while still conveying your enthusiasm and qualifications for the role.

Poor Formatting

Poor formatting can distract from your key points and make your cover letter difficult to read. Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts, spacing, and margins. Break up text into short paragraphs or bullet points to enhance readability.

Rephrasing Your Resume

Your cover letter should complement, not replicate, your resume. Avoid listing your past roles and responsibilities like you would in a resume.

Instead, use the cover letter to provide a narrative that connects your experiences to Bain’s needs and culture. Highlight specific achievements and how they demonstrate your fit for Bain and the role.

Lack of Evidence for Claims

Unsubstantiated claims about your skills or achievements can weaken your Bain cover letter. Always back up your statements with concrete examples.

Instead of saying you have strong analytical skills, describe a project where you successfully used data analysis to solve a complex problem. This approach provides tangible proof of your capabilities.

Typos and Grammatical Errors

Typos and grammatical errors can significantly hurt your credibility. Proofread your cover letter multiple times and consider asking someone else to review it as well.

A cover letter free of errors demonstrates your attention to detail and your commitment to presenting yourself professionally.

Generic Statements

Avoid using vague phrases or generic statements that could apply to any consulting firm. Tailor your cover letter to Bain by referencing specific aspects of the firm that appeal to you. Show that you have done your research and are genuinely excited about the opportunity to join Bain.

Bain Cover Letter Tips

To give yourself the best chance of landing a Bain interview, make sure to follow these Bain cover letter tips: tailor the cover letter to Bain, quantify your accomplishments and results, pick your best stories and experiences, use the opportunity to explain any red flags, keep it short and punchy, and get help from others.

Tailor the Cover Letter to Bain

Customizing your cover letter specifically for Bain is crucial. Research Bain's values, recent projects, and unique aspects of its company culture. Mention specific Bain initiatives or programs that resonate with your professional interests and goals.

A good test to see if your cover letter is tailored enough for Bain is to replace all instances of Bain in your cover letter with a different consulting firm. If the cover letter still makes sense and works, then your cover letter is likely not tailored enough.

Quantify Your Accomplishments and Results

Quantifying your achievements helps to illustrate the impact you've made in your work experiences and extracurricular activities. Use numbers and percentages to showcase your successes.

For example, rather than saying you improved sales, mention that you increased sales by 20% over six months. Quantifiable results provide concrete evidence of your abilities and make your accomplishments more compelling to the reader.

Pick Your Best Stories and Experiences

Select a few key experiences that highlight your skills and fit for the consulting role at Bain. Focus on stories that demonstrate problem solving, a results-oriented track record, leadership, and passion. You should pick stories that are the most impressive, unique, or interesting.

Well-chosen stories and experiences can make your cover letter more engaging and memorable, helping you stand out from other candidates.

Use the Opportunity to Explain Any Red Flags

Red flags that require explaining include having a low GPA, gaps in work history, and an unexplained office choice. Use your cover letter to briefly address these issues in a positive light.

• If you have a gap in your resume, explain how you used that time productively, such as by taking courses or volunteering
• If your GPA is lower than ideal, highlight any upward trends in your grades or additional qualifications that demonstrate your capabilities
• If you are applying to an office that you have no connection to, explain why you are interested in the office and why you’d be interested in staying in that geography for the long-term

Keep it Short and Punchy

A concise, well-structured cover letter is more likely to capture and retain the recruiter’s attention. Aim to keep your cover letter to one page, focusing on the most relevant and impactful information.

Use clear, direct language and avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex sentences. By keeping your cover letter short and punchy, you ensure that your key points are communicated effectively and leave a strong impression.

Think of your Bain cover letter as a highlight reel of your professional and personal experiences and accomplishments.

Get Help from Others

You should have at least a few different people read your cover letter and give you feedback. Ideally, these people would be current or former Bain consultants. However, getting feedback from any current or former consultant, friends, colleagues, and mentors will still be greatly beneficial to you.

If you’re looking for some professional help to get peace of mind that your resume and cover letter are up to Bain standards, check out our consulting resume & editing service . Let us do the hard work for you to ensure that you have the best chance of landing a Bain interview.

Bain Cover Letter Examples and Templates

See below for a few examples of outstanding Bain cover letters.

Bain Cover Letter Example #1: Undergraduate student

You can download a template for this cover letter here: Bain cover letter template 1.docx

Bain Cover Letter Example #2: MBA student

You can download a template for this cover letter here: Bain cover letter template 2.docx

Bain Cover Letter Example #3: Working professional

You can download a template for this cover letter here:  Bain cover letter template 3.docx

Resources to Help You Break Into Consulting

Over 98% of candidates that apply to Bain get rejected. The Bain recruiting process is extremely competitive and selective.

However, don’t be discouraged. You don’t have to prepare your application and prepare for Bain interviews by yourself. Getting professional help from a former Bain Manager and interviewer can significantly improve your chances of getting a Bain job offer.

To give yourself a competitive edge over other candidates, check out our resources below:

For help landing consulting interviews

• Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple consulting interviews

For help passing case interviews

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
• Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a former Bain interviewer.
• Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.

For help passing consulting behavioral & fit interviews

• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer.

Land Multiple Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. Save yourself hundreds of hours.

Consulting cover letter guide (for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc.)

Today we’re going to explain everything you need to know about writing consulting cover letters.

We’ll start by reviewing an example cover letter that got interview invitations from ALL the MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain). 

And then we’ll explain exactly how you should write your own cover letter to land consulting interviews. Here’s a full list of the topics in this guide:

• Example cover letter

How to write your consulting cover letter

Consulting cover letter tips.

• The skills consulting firms look for

Consulting cover letter screening process

• Get help with your cover letter

Let’s get to it! 

Click here for a consulting letter/resume review with an ex-MBB consultant

Example cover letter (which got interviews at mckinsey, bcg, and bain).

Below is an anonymised cover letter from a candidate who got interviews at McKinsey, BCG and Bain. So you can trust that this template works.

The image here highlights the different sections of the cover letter, but we’ll dive deeper into the text later, and you can also get a downloadable copy below.

Free download of the consulting cover letter example, here. 

In the next section, we’ll go step-by-step through each part of the cover letter and explain how to go about writing it. But before we dive in, please note the following points about the above template:

• A lot of people use this template. Get inspiration from it, but every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.
• This cover letter might sound impressive. It's one of the best ones we’ve seen. But even if you have not achieved as much as this person, you can still get an interview.

With that said, let’s dig into the cover letter writing process!

As a starting point, this video provides a nice overview of the full writing process for a consulting cover letter. 

Now let’s break things down further.

1. Introduction

Example - Introduction

Mary Taylor - [email protected]

DD / MM / YYYY

Dear Sir / Madam,

I would like to apply for an Associate position at McKinsey in London.

This section is a formality. It should simply state the following information:

• Your name and email address. You can replace your email address with a postal address although those are not commonly used anymore.
• The date on which you are sending your letter
• The position, company, and office to which you are applying

Keep it short and sweet.

2. Why you? 

Example - Why you?

I started working as an Analyst at Big Finance in New York in September 2020 and was quickly promoted to Associate in a year and a half instead of the average four years. While at Big Finance, I advised a broad range of clients who constantly gave me positive feedback and regularly asked to work with me again. Before joining Big Finance, I graduated as the top student of my MEng in Chemical Engineering at Prestigious University in the UK. While studying, I received two competitive scholarships and awards. In addition, I developed my leadership skills as the President of the Prestigious University Consulting Club. High energy was essential to lead a team of 5 managing the club and growing the number of members by 20%.

This is your "GOLD MEDALS" section. It is the first section of your cover letter and therefore the most important one.

It should state the TOP 3 achievements of your life to date that are relevant to consulting. These achievements should be as unique and as memorable as possible. When your reviewer reads them they should think "Wow, that's impressive. I want to know more about this person."

To write this section you need to step back and ask yourself "What are the most impressive things I've done with my life so far?" This is not an easy question to answer. 

In our experience discussing this with a close friend can help. It's sometimes easier for them to quickly point out the impressive things you have done as they are an external observer.

In addition, notice how achievements are QUANTIFIED in the example above. Saying you have been promoted "in a year and a half instead of the average four years" is much more powerful than saying you have been promoted "quickly." You should quantify your achievements whenever possible.

This section is your chance to grab the reader's attention. If there's nothing impressive in it, they will stop reading and just scan the paragraphs. So don't miss your opportunity!

3. Why consulting?

Example - Why consulting?

There are several reasons why I want to pursue a consulting career. To start with, I know I will enjoy being a strategy consultant because I have already worked in a strategy team in the past. This was in summer 2019 when I was a Strategy Intern at Big Grocery Retailer in London. In addition, I think consulting is a unique opportunity to comprehensively learn about business management by working on a variety of company situations. Over the past two years, I have started building my business skills while advising clients on financial matters at Big Finance. I now look forward to learning more about companies’ management at McKinsey. Finally, I want to work in consulting because I truly enjoy interacting with clients. Throughout my work experiences I have built a successful track record of developing and maintaining relationships with clients including, for instance, the senior strategy team at Big Grocery Retailer.

Once you have convinced your reviewer that you have impressive achievements under your belt they'll be thinking: "Ok, this person is impressive. But do they REALLY want to be a consultant? Or are they just applying because they're not sure what to do with their career."

The third section of your letter should therefore answer the  "Why consulting?" question . But here is the thing about this question: There are some reasons to go into consulting that you should tell your reviewer about. And some reasons that you should really keep to yourself.

For instance, one of the mistakes candidates commonly make in their cover letter is to write something along the lines of "I'd like to spend 2 or 3 years in consulting to learn more about business in general and then decide what I want to do." This is a HUGE mistake. 

Consulting firms want to hire FUTURE PARTNERS. Not employees who will stay for a couple of years. You can watch the video below for more details about this.

The best approach for your "Why consulting?" section is to write about past experiences that really show you know what you are getting into. The perfect situation is if you have done an internship in consulting or in corporate strategy and have enjoyed it. If that's the case, this is the perfect section to write about it.

But even if you haven't done related internships, there are plenty of angles you can use to connect your past experiences to what you will do as a consultant. For instance:

• You might have enjoyed working with clients when you were in M&A or in Sales
• You might have enjoyed structuring and solving tough problems as an engineer

You should use these experiences to say that "working with clients" or "solving tough problems" is something you KNOW you enjoy doing; and you look forward to spending more time doing this as a consultant.

When they read this section, your reviewer should think: "Ok, this person is impressive AND they know what they are getting into."

4. Why McKinsey / BCG / Bain / Other?

Example - Why McKinsey?

McKinsey appeals to me for three reasons. To start with, the different people from the company I have met and worked with all told me they had truly enjoyed their time there. For the past two years, I have worked for Michael Smith, a former Engagement Manager from the London office, who now works for Big Finance. Additionally, I regularly read McKinsey’s reports on financial services and think the insights delivered by Sarah James and others in the Finance practice are truly superior to that of other consultancies. By joining McKinsey, I therefore think I would have an opportunity to work with and learn from the best consultants in the industry. Finally, the fact that McKinsey was selected by Finance Supercorp to shape its digital strategy also played an important role in my decision to apply. This was a first-of-its-kind contract in finance and it shows that while at McKinsey I could get the opportunity to work on truly unique projects.

If you have managed to convince your reviewer that you have an impressive background and that you really want to be a consultant, you have a VERY HIGH chance of getting an interview. 

The only question that's left for you to answer is: " Why McKinsey  / Why BCG? / Why Bain? "

Top consulting firms  have a lot in common. In most regions, they cover the same industries and work for similar clients. They also pay similar salaries, and the career path is more or less the same from firm to firm. So what should you write about in this section?

In our experience, the most efficient way to set yourself apart in this section is to write about three specific elements:

When you write "I've met with Michael Smith," or "I've read report X," or "I've heard about project Y," you are making an argument that's SPECIFIC enough for your reviewer to think: "Ok they've done their homework."

If you stay too GENERIC, your argument will be much less credible. For instance, writing something like "While at McKinsey, I'll be exposed to a broad range of industries which I'm excited about" is a weak argument because you could swap McKinsey for BCG or Bain in that sentence.

In fact, this is the ultimate test. If you can swap McKinsey with another name in your "Why McKinsey?" section you are not being specific enough. You need to work on your paragraph again and mention SPECIFIC people, reports, or projects that you find interesting.

5. Conclusion

Example - Conclusion

For all these reasons, I am very enthusiastic about the chance to work at McKinsey. I am available for an interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Taylor

The last section of the cover letter is a formality again. It should include the following elements:

• A sentence or two saying that you are enthusiastic and available for interviews at any time
• Your final signature

So how do you make it easy for your reviewer to put your cover letter on the "Accept" pile? We have put together the 10 tips below to make sure you can achieve this and avoid common mistakes.

Tip #1 Don't use a template letter

Writing cover letters is painful. But trust us, reading hundreds of them can be at least as painful. That's why you should make every effort to make your letter interesting and genuine. 

It's ok to get inspiration from templates such as the one we provide in this guide. But every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.

Tip #2 Keep it to one page

One of the unwritten rules of consulting cover letters is that they should not be longer than one page. The trick to achieve this is to only select the MOST RELEVANT experiences from your  resume  and to summarise them. 

The points you decide to highlight should clearly demonstrate that you would make a great consultant.

Tip #3 Standard format and font

It's tempting to use an eye-catching font and format. But that's actually a bad idea. You only risk your interviewer thinking: "I've never seen this font, it looks really weird. Who is this person?" Your cover letter should stand out because of its content, NOT because of its format.

Tip #4 Not the time to be shy

Your cover letter is not the time to be shy. If you went to Harvard and have three Olympic medals, now is the time to say it! Most of us don't, and that's fine. But the point is that you should really push yourself to bring your most impressive accomplishments forward.

Tip #5 Network, network, network

This might sound surprising, but a big part of the cover letter is  how much networking you have done . Having networked with people from the firm you are applying for pays dividends for multiple reasons. 

First, they might recommend you to the HR team. But most importantly, these people will give you insight into what makes their firm UNIQUE. Then you can quote what you've heard in your cover letter (and name drop the person you heard it from) to show that you really understand the firm you are applying for.

Tip #6 Read, read, read

Unfortunately, networking is not always easy or possible. In these cases, your second best option is to read as much as you can on the firms you are applying for. You should read about the firm's projects, reports, and partners and find pieces of information you are really interested in. 

For instance, if you did your master thesis on electric vehicles, try to find who works in this area at the firm and what they have to say about it. And then mention what you have found in your cover letter.

Tip #7 One letter per firm

One question we often get is: "Should I write one letter per firm?" The answer is YES. But it's not as hard as it might sound. 

Every cover letter needs to answer three questions: Why you? Why consulting? And why this firm? The only paragraph you will need to change in every letter is the one about "Why this firm?" For each firm, you will have to do the networking and reading mentioned above.

Tip #8 Start writing early

Writing an outstanding cover letter is VERY HARD. Most candidates underestimate how much time it takes and start this process too late. You'll need to take a step back and reflect on everything you have done to date to highlight your most relevant experiences. 

This takes multiple iterations. Start early.

Tip #9 Get feedback

In our experience, great candidates all look for feedback and iterate on their cover letter until it's truly as good as it can get. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it.

It’s best to get feedback from peers or consultants. These people will be able to point out which parts of your letter they don't get or don't find impactful enough. If you’d like to have an expert review your cover letter, check out our team of  ex-consultant coaches .

Tip #10 Proofread multiple times

Finally, you should check and double check your letter for typos and grammar mistakes - multiple times. A cover letter is (not so secretly) a writing test and you should really treat it like one.

What consulting firms look for

To get multiple interviews at  top consulting firms , it’s extremely important to understand what those firms are actually looking for. 

The good news is that most of the leading consultancies are looking for basically the same skills. 

To illustrate this point, here’s what  McKinsey  and  Bain  say that they’re looking for in candidates, along with our own translation of what they mean:

There are also a few unofficial items that consulting firms will look for on your resume, and you can read about those in our  consulting resume guide .

Next, let’s talk about the typical cover letter screening process.

Screening process

Now let's talk about HOW your cover letter will be handled once you send it. Here's how it works.

Your application will be sent to a JUNIOR CONSULTANT who recently graduated from your University. They will score your documents based on a grid provided by the HR team. 

Consultants usually have to score 200 to 400 applications in about 2 weeks. And this is sometimes on TOP of their normal project. It's not uncommon for them to leave the job to the last minute and to have to do it on a Friday night just before the deadline.

Why is this important? The point we are trying to make is your application is part of 100 other applications. And the person who will review it will be tired by the time they get to your cover letter. If they don't understand something, they won't Google it. It's your job to make their job easy.

Why consultancies ask for a cover letter

There are two main reasons why consulting firms ask for cover letters.

First, partners bill several thousand dollars per day to their clients. The opportunity cost of interviewing you is HUGE for the firm. Put yourself in the shoes of a consultancy for a second. What are the top 3 questions you want to answer before investing money in interviewing a candidate?

• Have they demonstrated the skills needed to be a consultant?
• Do they know what consulting is and what they are getting into?
• Are they genuinely interested in working for our firm?

If you don't answer these three questions in a structured and impactful way, your chances of getting past the screening process are very low. This is why every cover letter should be structured as follows:

• Why consulting?
• Why this firm?

The second reason consulting firms ask for a cover letter is to test your writing skills. Consultants write all the time: emails, PowerPoints, Word documents, etc. They spend about 50% of their day writing. And a lot of the time their job is to summarise very large quantities of information in a succinct way.

This is exactly what you have to do in your cover letter. You have to a) look back on all your past experiences, b) select the relevant experiences to convince the reviewer that you are the right person for the job and c) summarise all these experiences in a way that's easy to read and digest.

Cover letters are a disguised writing test. Candidates who end up getting invited for interviews recognise this early on. Making a good impression on paper is way harder than making a good impression in person.

Are many candidates ready to invest HOURS in writing the perfect cover letter? No. That's the whole point. That's how you can set yourself apart. If you spend enough time making sure that your letter is as impactful as it can be, you stand very high chances of getting invited for interviews.

Another reason that it can help to have a cover letter is to explain anything on your resume that may look unusual to a reviewer, such as a time gap or a non-traditional background for consulting. 

Whatever your unique situation is, if you’re not confident in how your cover letter looks today, then we can help you. 

Get an Ex-MBB consultant to review your cover letter

The guide above, in addition to our guide on  consulting resumes , should go a long way in helping you craft documents that will get you interviews. 

But if you still feel you need additional help, we have a team of ex-MBB recruiters and interviewers who would be happy to provide feedback on your cover letter.

You’ll get feedback on how to immediately improve your cover letter, including what experience to focus on, how to optimise your phrasing, formatting, etc.

Start by browsing profiles for available coaches.

Related articles:

Bain Cover Letter: The Expert Guide

Master your Bain cover letter with expert tips. Learn how to showcase your skills and stand out in the competitive consulting application process.

Posted August 16, 2024

Featuring Samantha G.

Management Consulting: Ask Me Anything

Starting tuesday, september 10.

10:00 PM UTC · 30 minutes

Table of Contents

Are you dreaming of landing a coveted position at Bain & Company ? Your journey begins with a stellar Bain cover letter. This crucial document is your first chance to make a lasting impression and showcase why you're the perfect fit for this prestigious consulting firm.

In this expert guide, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of crafting a winning Bain cover letter. You'll learn what Bain looks for in candidates, get a step-by-step breakdown of the writing process, and see successful examples to inspire your own. We'll also highlight common pitfalls to avoid and answer the burning question: does Bain require a cover letter? By the end, you'll be well-equipped to create a cover letter that opens your doors to consulting firms.

What Bain Looks for in a Cover Letter

When crafting your Bain cover letter, it's crucial to understand what this prestigious consulting firm values in potential candidates. While Bain doesn't require a cover letter for most applications, including one can significantly boost your chances of moving past the initial screening stage. Here's what Bain looks for in a standout cover letter:

Sharp Problem-Solving Skills

Bain places a high premium on problem-solving abilities . These skills are essential for diagnosing client issues, developing strategies, and implementing impactful solutions. To showcase your problem-solving prowess, provide specific, concise examples of accomplishments from your previous roles that highlight this skill. Remember, demonstrating this capability is crucial for advancing to the case interview stage.

Results-Oriented Track Record

Bain is impressed by candidates who can demonstrate a history of achieving tangible results . You don't need to list every successful project you've worked on; instead, focus on highlighting your most impressive achievement. This approach aligns with Bain's long-standing commitment to delivering measurable outcomes for their clients.

Strong Leadership Qualities

Leadership is a key trait that Bain explicitly seeks in its candidates. Whether your leadership experience comes from academic, professional, or extracurricular activities, make sure to showcase it in your application. Bain values leadership because it reflects a consultant's ability to inspire, guide, and manage teams effectively, ensuring successful project completion and client satisfaction.

Genuine Passion for Consulting

Bain appreciates candidates who demonstrate enthusiasm not just for consulting, but for life in general. Show your passion for the field by highlighting relevant experiences or achievements in your application. Additionally, Bain values individuals who want to make a positive impact on the world. You can illustrate this by mentioning a professional story or activities outside of work, such as volunteer experiences.

Remember, a well-written cover letter can be a powerful tool in your application. As Keith Bevans , the head of Bain & Company's global consultant recruiting, warns, a poor cover letter can hurt an applicant's chances of getting the job. Your cover letter serves as an important data point, showcasing skills relevant to the position you're applying for. By focusing on these key areas, you'll be well on your way to creating a compelling Bain cover letter that captures the attention of recruiters and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Read : How to Answer the "Why Consulting" Interview Question

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Bain Cover Letter

To craft a compelling Bain cover letter, you need to follow a structured approach that showcases your fit with the firm, highlights key experiences, and demonstrates your unique value as a candidate. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a standout cover letter:

Follow the Traditional Structure

Start with the traditional cover letter format, including the date, company name, and address. Your letter should consist of three to five paragraphs, presenting information in a concise yet comprehensive manner. Begin with a brief introduction explaining why Bain should consider you, emphasizing the value you'll bring to the firm.

Prepare a Professional or Academic Story

Select a professional experience or academic achievement that highlights your problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, and impact. For a professional story, focus on an instance where you significantly reduced costs for your company or launched a successful business venture. If choosing an academic story, describe a project where you demonstrated analytical skills and strategic thinking, such as leading a team to victory in a case competition.

Highlight the Most Substantial Results

In the body paragraphs, elaborate on your chosen stories, ensuring they're thorough and substantive. Quantify your accomplishments and results whenever possible. For example, you might describe how you reduced company spending by a specific percentage or increased revenue by a certain amount. This approach allows you to showcase your problem-solving skills, results-oriented track record, and leadership qualities – all crucial attributes Bain looks for in candidates.

Ensure a Formal Conclusion

In the closing paragraph, reaffirm your suitability for the role and express your enthusiasm about the possibility of working as a Bain consultant. Write a brief summary of the three main reasons why you'd be a great fit for Bain and the position. Conclude with a call to action, stating that you're looking forward to hearing from them.

Remember to keep your cover letter concise and impactful. It should not exceed one page. If you're struggling with space, consider adjusting your margins to as small as 0.25 inches on each side and using a font size as small as 11pt. By following this structured approach and highlighting your most relevant experiences, you'll create a compelling Bain cover letter that increases your chances of landing an interview.

Free trial!

From 134 top coaches

Access a library of videos, templates, and examples curated by Leland’s top coaches.

Example resumes.

Example Cases

Casing Drills

Mock Interviews

Follow this Bain Cover Letter Format

To create a compelling Bain cover letter, you need to follow a structured format that showcases your fit with the firm, highlights key experiences, and demonstrates your unique value as a candidate.

• Length : Keep your Bain cover letter concise and impactful by not exceeding one page.
• Font : Use 10–12-point professional, readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Spacing, Margins, and Alignment : Maintain 1-inch margins and 1-1.5 line spacing for a clean, professional look.

By following this format and highlighting your most relevant experiences, you'll create a compelling Bain cover letter that increases your chances of landing an interview. Remember to quantify your achievements wherever possible and address any potential red flags in your application.

Successful Bain Cover Letter Examples

To help you craft a compelling Bain cover letter, let's examine some successful examples. These samples demonstrate how to effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and passion for consulting.

A full cover letter should start with a professional heading. Include your full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. This information makes it easy for recruiters to contact you.

Address your letter to a specific person, ideally the primary recruiter for your application. If you can't identify the head recruiter, use "Dear Bain & Company Recruiting Team". Avoid generic salutations like "To whom it may concern."

Opening Paragraph

The opening paragraph is crucial as it's often the only part recruiters read thoroughly. Make it clear, concise, and attention-grabbing. In two sentences, summarize your expertise and years of experience, then explain why you're a great fit for the role.

"As a recent MBA graduate with a passion for problem-solving and a track record of delivering measurable results, I am excited to apply for the Associate Consultant position at Bain & Company. My experience in data-driven decision making and team leadership aligns perfectly with Bain's commitment to helping clients achieve extraordinary results."

Professional Stories + Demonstrate Skills

In the body paragraphs, highlight your most impressive achievements that demonstrate the key qualities Bain looks for: problem-solving skills , results-oriented track record, leadership, and passion for consulting.

"During my summer internship at XYZ Corp, I led a cross-functional team to optimize supply chain operations. By implementing a new inventory management system, we reduced costs by 15% and improved delivery times by 20%. This experience showcased my ability to analyze complex problems, develop innovative solutions, and drive tangible results."

Formal Closing

In your concluding paragraph, briefly restate the main reasons why you're a great fit for Bain and the position. End with a call to action, expressing your interest in discussing your skills further in an interview.

"I am confident that my analytical skills, leadership experience, and passion for delivering impactful solutions make me an excellent candidate for Bain & Company. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to Bain's continued success. Thank you for your consideration."

Full Bain Cover Letter Example

“ [Your Name]

[Your Address] | [Contact Information] | [Your Email Address]

Bain & Company

131 Dartmouth Street

Boston Massachusetts 02116

Dear [Recruiter] and members of the Bain recruiting team,

I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the Associate Consultant position at Bain & Company. With a strong background in strategic problem-solving and a proven track record of driving impactful results, I am eager to contribute to Bain's reputation for excellence in consulting.

During my tenure as a Strategy Analyst at [Previous Company], I led a cross-functional team to develop and implement a market entry strategy for a new product line. This initiative resulted in a 20% increase in market share within the first year and positioned the company as a key player in a competitive market. My ability to analyze complex data, identify key insights, and craft actionable strategies was crucial in achieving these outcomes. These experiences have honed my skills in project management, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership.

Additionally, my role as a Business Development Intern at [Another Previous Company] involved conducting in-depth market research and competitor analysis to identify growth opportunities. I successfully presented a comprehensive expansion plan to senior executives, which led to the company securing a significant partnership and expanding its footprint in a new region. This experience enhanced my analytical and presentation skills, as well as my ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

My academic background in [Your Degree] from [Your University] has provided me with a solid foundation in quantitative analysis and business strategy. Coupled with my hands-on experience, I am confident in my ability to contribute to Bain's client-centric approach and drive tangible results. I am particularly drawn to Bain's collaborative culture and emphasis on professional development, which align with my career aspirations and values.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise in strategic consulting to Bain & Company and to learn from the talented professionals within your organization. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my background, skills, and experiences align with the needs of your team.

[Your Name]”

Remember, well-crafted consulting cover letters can significantly help you get past the initial screening stage and land an interview. Keep it concise, impactful, and tailored to Bain's values and requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Bain Cover Letters

When crafting your Bain cover letter, it's crucial to avoid common pitfalls that could hurt your chances of landing an interview. Here are some key mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Rephrasing Your Resume

Your cover letter should complement, not replicate, your resume. Avoid simply listing your past roles and responsibilities. Instead, use this opportunity to provide a narrative that connects your experiences to Bain's needs and culture. Highlight specific achievements and demonstrate how they make you a great fit for the role.

2. Name Dropping

While it might seem like a good idea to mention Bain consultants you've interacted with, name dropping can backfire if not done properly. If you haven't had meaningful interactions, it's best to avoid mentioning names altogether. Instead, focus on articulating insights gained from these interactions and how they've shaped your interest in Bain.

3. Lengthy Cover Letters

Recruiters sift through hundreds of applications daily, so a lengthy cover letter can be a major turn-off. Aim for conciseness and clarity, ensuring every sentence adds value. Keep your letter to one page, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively – a critical skill for management consultants.

4. Poor Formatting

A poorly formatted cover letter can distract from your key points and make it difficult to read. Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts, spacing, and margins. The standard font size is 12 with 1" margins. Ensure there's enough white space to enhance readability.

5. Wrong Grammar

Typos and grammatical errors can significantly hurt your credibility. These mistakes imply a lack of attention to detail, which is crucial in consulting. Proofread your letter multiple times and consider asking someone else to review it as well.

6. Sloppy Conclusion

Don't underestimate the importance of a strong conclusion. Each story in your cover letter should conclude with a comprehensive summary, clearly linking it to a Bain value. Think of your concluding sentence as the cherry on top. Also, include a final sentence after your stories, reiterating the values you'd bring to Bain and expressing gratitude for their consideration.

Does Bain Require a Cover Letter?

When applying to Bain & Company, you might wonder if a cover letter is necessary. While Bain doesn't explicitly require a cover letter for most applications, including one can significantly boost your chances of moving past the initial screening stage.

It's crucial to understand that even if a cover letter isn't mandatory, it can be a valuable tool in your application. Keith Bevans, the head of Bain & Company's global consultant recruiting, emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted cover letter. He warns that a poor cover letter can hurt an applicant's chances of getting the job.

Bevans explains, "The cover letter becomes an important data point on how good they are at certain skills that might be relevant to the job they're applying for". This insight suggests that a cover letter can serve as a platform to showcase your skills and experiences that align with Bain's requirements.

However, it's essential to follow the company's instructions carefully. If Bain explicitly states that they don't require a cover letter in their application information, it's generally best to adhere to their guidelines. Ignoring these instructions might be seen as not following directions, which isn't a positive impression to make.

If you're uncertain about whether to submit a cover letter, consider reaching out to Bain's HR department or recruiting team for clarification. This proactive approach demonstrates your attention to detail and respect for the company's processes.

Crafting a winning Bain cover letter is a key step to landing your dream job in consulting. By showcasing your problem-solving skills, results-driven approach, and genuine passion for the field, you can make a lasting impression on recruiters. Remember to keep your letter concise, well-structured, and tailored to Bain's values and requirements . This approach can have a significant impact on your chances of moving past the initial screening stage.

Although Bain doesn't always require a cover letter, including one can give you an edge in the application process. A Bain cover letter gives you a chance to highlight your unique qualities and experiences that align with the consulting firm’s needs. By avoiding common mistakes and following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can create a compelling cover letter that opens doors to your consulting career. In the end, a well-crafted cover letter is a powerful tool to showcase your skills and set yourself apart from other applicants.

What are the key elements of crafting an expert cover letter?

Experts recommend several crucial steps for writing an effective cover letter:

• Begin by thoroughly researching the company and the specific job role you are applying for.
• Focus your letter on future contributions rather than past achievements.
• Start with a strong opening to grab attention.
• Highlight your unique value and personal contributions.
• Express genuine enthusiasm for the role.
• Pay attention to the tone of your writing to ensure it is professional.
• Keep the letter concise.
• Finally, seek feedback on your draft to refine it further.

What is the purpose of a management consulting cover letter?

• A management consulting cover letter acts as an informal writing test. It is crucial in this field to communicate effectively via emails and presentations. The cover letter allows you to demonstrate your ability to tell a compelling story and articulate your thoughts clearly, which are key skills in consulting.

What is the ideal length for a consulting cover letter?

• A consulting cover letter should be concise, typically under 500 words, and should fit on a single page. It's important to be brief yet impactful, ensuring all relevant information is communicated clearly and succinctly.

How should I structure a cover letter for a strategy consulting position?

• When writing a cover letter for a strategy consulting position, focus on your analytical abilities, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Emphasize specific projects or initiatives where you have successfully applied these skills to achieve results. This will showcase your capability to handle the responsibilities of a strategy consultant effectively.

Looking to break into Bain & Company consulting firm? Check out these expert resources dedicated to helping you get into Bain & Company:

• 50+ Case Interview Questions From Top Firms
• How to Get an Interview at Bain & Company
• A Comprehensive Guide to MBB: McKinsey & Co., Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Co.
• Big 4 Consulting Firms vs. MBB: What's the Difference

Browse hundreds of expert coaches

Leland coaches have helped thousands of people achieve their goals. A dedicated mentor can make all the difference.

Browse Related Articles

August 16, 2024

How to Answer the "Why Consulting" Interview Question

Discover top strategies for answering the "Why Consulting" interview question. Learn how to highlight your passion and fit for the consulting role.

August 19, 2024

The Top 10 IT Consulting Firms (2024)

Explore the top 10 IT consulting firms of 2024. Discover industry leaders shaping the future of tech with innovative solutions and expertise.

August 20, 2024

Case Interview Math Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Master case interview math with our friendly guide! Learn essential tips, tricks, and strategies to ace every calculation and impress in your consulting interviews.

September 4, 2024

How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" in Consulting Interviews

Learn how to craft a compelling answer to the 'Tell me about yourself' question in consulting interviews with tips, examples, and expert advice.

Top Pre-MBA Programs in Consulting

Discover the top pre-MBA programs for consulting. Learn how to boost your skills and gain a competitive edge before starting your MBA journey.

August 22, 2024

The 15 Most Common Consulting Interview Questions — With Answers

Discover the 15 most common consulting interview questions with sample answers. Prepare confidently with our friendly guide to acing your consulting interview.

BCG Matrix: What to Know and How to Use It

Learn how to use the BCG Matrix for strategic planning. Explore key insights and tips to maximize growth and profitability in your business.

August 26, 2024

How to Calculate Variable Cost: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Learn how to calculate variable cost with this comprehensive guide, featuring clear examples and practical tips to help you manage expenses and maximize profitability.

The McKinsey Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program: What to Know

Learn what to expect from McKinsey's Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program. Get insights, tips, and advice for a successful application.

The Expert Guide to Market Sizing Questions (With Examples)

Looking for an expert guide to market sizing questions? Learn how you can use the examples, key techniques, and frameworks to ace your consulting interviews by reading this article.

McKinsey Cover Letter: Tips & Examples

Write a standout McKinsey cover letter with these expert tips and examples. Learn how to showcase your skills and impress recruiters.

August 25, 2024

How to Write the Best Follow-Up Email After the Interview

Learn how to write the best follow-up email after an interview to show strong interest, reinforce your qualifications, and leave a lasting impression on potential employers.

• The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview
• Consulting Career Secrets
• Cover Letter & Resume
• McKinsey Solve Game (Imbellus)
• BCG Online Case (+ Pymetrics, Spark Hire)
• Bain Aptitude Tests (SOVA, Pymetrics, HireVue)
• Kearney Recruitment Test
• BCG Cognitive Test Practice
• All-in-One Case Interview Preparation
• Industry Cheat Sheets
• Structuring & Brainstorming
• Data & Chart Interpretation
• Case Math Mastery
• McKinsey Interview Academy
• Brainteasers

How to Write the Perfect Consulting Cover Letter (McKinsey, BCG, Bain)

Last Updated on March 26, 2024

Crafting an exceptional consulting cover letter can significantly elevate your application in the highly competitive consulting industry. Statistics reveal a startling reality: only about 1-3% of applicants secure an offer from top-tier consulting firms like McKinsey , BCG , and Bain . This underscores the crucial role of a solid consulting job application strategy, particularly the cover letter and resume, in surpassing the initial screening phase, which is a great hurdle where up to 75% of hopefuls are filtered out.

Your journey through the rigorous consulting application process typically begins with networking and securing a referral. However, what truly sets your application apart is a well-structured, compelling consulting cover letter. This initial impression can be a decisive factor in advancing to the next stages, including aptitude tests and interviews.

How can you make sure to belong to the 25% that progress to the aptitude tests and interviews?

In this consulting firm application guide, we delve into the intricacies of crafting a cover letter that resonates with top consulting firms. We cover exactly that and answer all your questions related to:

• Why you should not underestimate the importance of the cover letter (but also not overestimate it)
• Structuring your cover letter for consulting firms
• Guidelines on what to include in a consulting firm application for a standout cover letter
• How you should design the cover letter
• What pitfalls and common mistakes you should avoid

The Purpose of Your Consulting Cover Letter

First things first. The cover letter is important but most sources overestimate its importance. If you were to rank it in order of importance for an interview invitation it would look like this:

• Resume . This is your gateway to the consulting world. Crafting a consulting resume showcasing your experiences and skills is essential for opening doors at prestigious firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. It’s the first touchpoint that narrates your professional journey.
• Referrals . Networking for consulting jobs and leveraging referrals can significantly enhance your application. A robust network , comprising varied sources and higher-ups, lends credibility and warrants a more attentive review of your application. In certain cases, strong referrals can even balance out minor gaps in your resume.
• Cover letter. If recruiters spend 20 seconds per resume, how much time do you think they will spend on a 1-page wall of text? You guessed it…yet that is exactly the reason why you should put effort into the creation of it. You need to make sure that your story transpires within a short amount of time. Doubts from the resume can be eliminated, and stories and skills that are especially relevant can be highlighted.

Understanding the essential components of a consulting job application is crucial for success.

While the resume is a chronological display of your experience and skills, the cover letter tells a more personal story to answer three core questions:

• Personal Fit (Why are you a good candidate?): Highlight why you’re an ideal candidate, weaving in stories and skills that align with the consulting ethos.
• Passion for Consulting (Why do you want to work in consulting?): Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and articulate your understanding of its dynamics.
• Firm-Specific Aspirations (Why do you want to work for this firm?): Detail why you’re choosing a particular firm, aligning your career goals with their values and culture.

Lastly, the cover letter is your chance to demonstrate two meta-skills. It is more than just a narrative. It’s a testament to your ability to:

• Draft Professional Documents : Showcasing your skill in creating well-structured, formal documents.
• Communicate Effectively : The ability to convey your thoughts concisely and compellingly, in a manner that resonates with the consulting world’s preference for clarity and brevity.

Crafting a compelling consulting resume and cover letter is key. Get the help you need to transform your consulting application into a success.

Crafting the Ideal Structure and Content

How to stand out in the consulting job application process?

A standout consulting cover letter is a crucial component of your application, particularly for coveted roles at MBB ). In general, a cover letter needs to consist of three parts:

Introduction: A Compelling Opening (1 short paragraph)

• Purpose : Kickstart your cover letter with an engaging introduction that grabs the attention of recruiters or consultants.
• Key Elements : Clearly state the consulting role you’re targeting, the preferred office location, and any crucial networking references. This opening serves as a crucial first impression, setting the tone for your application.

Body: Demonstrating Fit and Passion (3 paragraphs)

• Your Candidacy : This is where you shine, linking your unique experiences and skills to the role’s requirements. Adopt a storytelling approach, sharing 2-4 impactful narratives that encompass both your educational and professional journeys. Focus on moments that define you as an outstanding candidate, like leading significant initiatives or unique personal achievements. This is the core of the cover letter and should link your personal experience and skills with the demands of the role. Move into storytelling mode and describe how different experiences prepared you for the role you are applying for. It is especially important in this highlight-reel to celebrate and quantify your successes. You need to make sure to incorporate stories that make you a memorable character (”Ah Sarah, she was the one biking through South America with a tent, raising money for charity.”).
• Your Drive for Consulting : Second, discuss why consulting is the best industry for you to work in. Connect your past experiences to the core competencies of consulting. Link your experience and skills to the type of work and qualities needed in consulting. This could include leadership roles, analytical projects, or impactful community work. Emphasize how these experiences align with the demanding yet rewarding nature of consulting, including aspects like diverse project work, talented and exceptional colleagues, steep learning curves, and early-career impact.
• Your Desire for MBB : Third, discuss why you want to work for the respective consulting firm. Tailor this section to the specific firm and highlight 2-4 aspects of the firm that resonate with you, such as their project diversity, professional development opportunities, or their esteemed reputation. Personalize this part by referencing any interactions or insights about the firm from your network or research.

Conclusion: A Strong Closure (1 short paragraph)

• Summarization : Conclude with a concise summary of your motivation and suitability for the role. Reaffirm your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute to the firm, keeping the tone professional and earnest.

Creating the Content for Your Cover Letter

When structuring your consulting cover letter, a strategic approach is to directly align it with the specific characteristics that your target firm values in candidates.

For instance, if you’re aiming for McKinsey, visit the values and purpose statement on their website to understand precisely what they seek in prospective consultants. McKinsey, like every consulting firm, has a set of core values driving their recruitment process, such as problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, a track record of delivering innovation, and a passion for the work.

In crafting your cover letter, it’s essential to weave the key attributes sought by your target consulting firm intelligently throughout the narrative. For instance, incorporating McKinsey cover letter tips can significantly improve your chances. Applying BCG application advice and tips for a successful BCG consulting application, each paragraph should be centered around a specific characteristic valued by Boston Consulting Group. Finally, adhering to the Bain cover letter structure and the best practices for Bain consulting cover letters is essential for crafting a standout consulting cover letter that grabs attention.

Identify moments from both your professional and personal life that vividly demonstrate these attributes, selecting the most compelling instance if you have several to choose from.

This table provides a more detailed overview of what each top consulting firm looks for in cover letters, along with tailored tips for success that reflect their unique values and expectations.

For each attribute, construct a narrative that outlines the context of the experience, your specific actions, and the measurable outcomes, ensuring to quantify these achievements when possible. This strategic approach seamlessly integrates the reasons why you are an ideal candidate for firms like McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, thereby eliminating the need for an explicit statement. Your stories will implicitly convey your suitability for the role. When addressing the question of “Why consulting?”, a brief mention suffices as your examples will have already demonstrated your comprehension of the consulting industry’s requisites.

This technique is particularly advantageous for those with unique backgrounds or for experienced professionals, as it distinctly showcases how their experiences align with the firm’s values and expectations.

Example of a Consulting Cover Letter

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [specific consulting role] at McKinsey & Company in the [city] office. Having been referred by [Referral’s Name], a [Position] at your firm, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the innovative work McKinsey is known for.

My journey in consulting began unconventionally, as a leader in a non-profit organization, where I spearheaded a project to increase educational access in underprivileged areas. This experience, combined with my MBA from [University Name], has equipped me with a unique blend of grassroots-level impact understanding and strategic business acumen. Notably, leading a team to develop a sustainable funding model, we enhanced educational outreach by 150% within two years, demonstrating my ability to drive significant results in challenging environments. In my recent role at [Your Current/Previous Company], I navigated complex stakeholder environments to deliver a pivotal market expansion strategy, leading to a 30% increase in market share. This experience honed my analytical skills and ability to deliver actionable insights under pressure, qualities I understand are paramount at McKinsey.

The dynamic nature of consulting, with its diverse project work and intellectually stimulating environment, deeply resonates with me. The prospect of working alongside and learning from some of the brightest minds is particularly appealing, as is the opportunity to have a tangible impact early in my career. My experiences have prepared me to thrive in such a setting, where every day presents a new challenge and learning opportunity.

McKinsey’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and its unparalleled professional development programs are key factors that draw me to your firm. The firm’s global impact and leadership in tackling complex business and societal challenges align perfectly with my professional goals and values.

In conclusion, I am excited about the possibility of joining McKinsey & Company and am confident in my ability to make a meaningful contribution. My background in leading impactful initiatives and delivering results in complex environments, coupled with my passion for continuous learning and growth, make me a well-suited candidate for the [specific role]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experiences and skills align with McKinsey’s needs and ambitions.

[Your Name]

Formatting Your Consulting Cover Letter: A Professional Blueprint

A well-formatted cover letter not only reflects your professionalism but also your attention to detail – key traits in the consulting world. Here’s how to structure your letter to meet the industry’s standard formatting requirements:

• Header with Personal Information : At the top, include your name and address. This can be aligned to the left, right, or centered for a balanced look.
• Recipient’s Address : Directly below your information, list the recipient’s details on the left-hand side. This should include the name and address of the consulting firm or the specific individual you’re addressing.
• Date : Place the date on the right-hand side of the page. Remember to spell out the month for clarity (e.g., “1 April 2024” in the UK format or “April 1, 2024” in the US format).
• Reference Number (if applicable) : If your application has a specific reference number, include it on the left-hand side, such as “Ref: Job Application XYZ123”.
• Salutation : Begin your letter with a proper salutation, addressing the recipient respectfully.
• Closing : Conclude your letter with a formal sign-off like “Yours sincerely” (UK) or “Best regards”, “Sincerely”, or “Sincerely yours” (US).
• Signature : Below the closing, leave space for your handwritten signature, followed by your typed name.
• Enclosures : If you’re including additional documents, list them under “Enclosures:” at the bottom of the letter.
• Typography and Margins : Use a standard font size (12) and a professional font like Times New Roman. Maintain standard margins and avoid overcrowding the page to enhance readability.

Following these formatting guidelines, your cover letter will not only look professional but also demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in a business environment, a critical skill in consulting. The cover letter is not the time for experiments and by sticking to the generally agreed upon guidelines, you will facilitate the work of the recruiters.

Essential Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Consulting Cover Letter

Crafting an impactful cover letter for a consulting role involves not just highlighting your strengths but also avoiding common mistakes. Here’s a checklist highlighting cover letter mistakes to avoid in consulting, ensuring you steer clear of common pitfalls:

• Avoid Introducing Unfamiliar Information : Ensure that every degree, job, or skill mentioned in your cover letter is also present in your resume. Consistency is key.
• Eliminate Redundant Information : Your cover letter should not merely repeat what’s in your resume. Instead, it should complement and expand upon it.
• Adhere to the One-Page Rule : A concise, one-page cover letter is a standard in the industry. Exceeding this length can diminish the impact of your message.
• Foster a Personal Connection : Strive to establish a personal link with the firm or the recruiter. Mention referrals or specific interactions with the firm or individuals to make your application more relatable.
• Back Up Your Claims : Any skill or achievement you mention should be substantiated with a relevant story or example. This adds credibility to your assertions.
• Relevance is Crucial : Focus on experiences and skills that are directly relevant to the consulting role. Irrelevant emphasis can dilute the strength of your application.
• Incorporate Storytelling : Use storytelling to vividly bring out your experiences and skills. This makes your application memorable and engaging.
• Customize for the Firm : Tailor your cover letter to reflect your knowledge of and alignment with the firm’s values, culture, and unique selling points (USP).
• Be Cautious with Templates : Avoid the blunder of using incorrect company names or information, a common mistake when using a generic template for multiple applications.
• Prioritize Proofreading : Grammar, spelling, and typographical errors can significantly undermine your professionalism. Meticulous proofreading is essential.

By diligently avoiding these common errors, you can ensure that your consulting cover letter not only showcases your qualifications but also demonstrates your attention to detail and your understanding of what makes a successful consulting application.

Crafting Your Consulting Cover Letter: A Step-by-Step Process

Creating a standout cover letter for a consulting position is a meticulous process that benefits from careful planning and thoughtful revision. Here’s a guide to crafting yours:

• Structure Planning : Begin by organizing the high-level structure of your cover letter. Use the recommended format of introduction, body, and conclusion to ensure a coherent flow.
• Detail Gathering : Compile all the necessary information you wish to include, such as specific names, references, dates, and pertinent anecdotes or experiences.
• Initial Drafting with Bullet Points : Start by writing a first draft in bullet points. This helps in laying out your ideas succinctly and focusing on key points without getting bogged down by details.
• Seek Initial Feedback : Share this bullet-point draft with a friend, mentor, or colleague. Constructive feedback at this early stage can be invaluable in shaping the direction and content of your cover letter.
• Expand to Full Paragraphs : Transform your bullet points into well-crafted paragraphs. This is where you begin to add depth to your narrative, ensuring each section flows logically into the next.
• Further Feedback and Refinement : Seek additional feedback on this more developed version. Use the insights gained to fine-tune your message, ensuring it aligns with the principles of effective, concise consulting communication.
• Consistency Check with Resume : Ensure that your cover letter complements your resume. It should add to, not repeat, what is in your resume, providing a fuller picture of your qualifications and fit for the role.
• Concise and Clear Writing : “Trim the fat” by eliminating unnecessary words or phrases. Aim for clarity and brevity in your sentences, ensuring each word adds value to your message.
• Formatting Adjustments : Fine-tune the formatting to adhere to professional standards – one page, legible font (like Times New Roman), appropriate font size (typically 12), and correct formalities (such as your name and address).
• Meticulous Proofreading : Use tools like MS Word for an initial grammar and spell check. Then, carefully proofread your cover letter multiple times. It’s also wise to have someone else review it, providing a fresh perspective on both content and form.

With this process, you can develop a compelling and polished consulting cover letter that effectively communicates your strengths and fit for the consulting role you are aspiring to.

Does McKinsey Require a Cover Letter?

How to write a cover letter for a McKinsey consulting position is one of the most common questions I receive.

When it comes to McKinsey & Company, the requirement for a cover letter in your application may not be as stringent as you might think. In most McKinsey offices worldwide, submitting a cover letter is an optional part of the application process. This means that including one does not significantly influence the overall assessment of your application.

However, this doesn’t imply that a cover letter is without merit. If you’ve already crafted a compelling cover letter for applications to other firms, it’s advisable to tailor it specifically for McKinsey. Adjust key details such as the referral source, the targeted office location, the role you’re applying for, and the company’s name. This personalized touch demonstrates your genuine interest in McKinsey and your attention to detail.

Additionally, it boils down to how well your resume speaks for itself. If your resume already paints a clear picture of you as a prime candidate for a firm like McKinsey, then a cover letter might not be necessary. Here are some key indicators that your resume is doing the talking for you:

• Outstanding Academic Record : A high GPA always catches the eye.
• Core School Credentials : Graduating from or attending a school regularly visited by the firm ( a target school ) for recruitment gives you an edge.
• Relevant Educational Background : Degrees like an undergrad in business or economics, or an MBA, align well with what consulting firms look for.
• Solid Evidence of Key Skills : If your resume vividly showcases your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities through work and volunteer experiences, you’re on the right track.

However, if you feel your resume might leave some room for doubt about your suitability for the consulting world, or the firm specifically, then adding a cover letter can bolster your application. This is your chance to fill in any gaps and directly communicate why you’re a great fit for both the industry and the firm. Think of the cover letter as your personal advocate, underlining your potential and passion for the role.

It’s important to note, though, that the cover letter might not be a focal point during the interview stages. The consultants conducting your case interviews and Personal Experience Interviews (PEIs) typically do not review cover letters as part of their interview preparation. Therefore, while including a well-tailored cover letter can add a polished edge to your application, it’s unlikely to be a discussion point in your interviews.

Elevate Your Consulting Application with Our Expertise

Are you aiming for a breakthrough in your consulting career with firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain or any other consulting firm? Our specialized cover letter and resume services are here to guide you through this critical phase. With our team’s background as former consultants and application screeners at McKinsey, we bring insider knowledge to your application process. We’ve scrutinized hundreds of applications, granting us unique insights into what truly makes a candidate stand out.

Tailored Guidance for Standout Applications

• Comprehensive Resources : Dive into our extensive guides and templates specifically designed for crafting the ideal consulting resume and cover letter. These resources are tailored to meet the expectations of the top consulting firms.
• In-Depth Exploration : We delve deeply into every facet of crafting a winning consulting resume and cover letter. Our materials provide you with the essential stories, phrases, and keywords that capture the attention of consulting recruiters.
• Efficiency in Preparation : Our ready-to-use samples and templates are designed not just for effectiveness but also to streamline your preparation process significantly.

Personalized Document Writing and Review

• Hand-Crafted Excellence : In addition to our guides and templates, we offer a personalized screening service. Here, we write, review, and fine-tune your resume and cover letter, ensuring they are tailored to perfection for your dream consulting role.
• Editing Services : Benefit from our editing services, where we refine your documents to align with the high standards of firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. We focus on enhancing your story, ensuring your skills and experiences resonate with consulting recruiters.

Let us help you create application documents that not only meet the high standards of top consulting firms but also reflect your unique strengths and aspirations.

Consulting Cover Letter FAQ

Navigating the consulting application process can be daunting, especially when it comes to creating a cover letter that stands out to prestigious firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly elevate your application, making you a memorable candidate. To help you on this journey, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions with concise answers to guide you in crafting an effective consulting cover letter.

What makes a consulting cover letter stand out to firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain? A cover letter that tells a compelling narrative, demonstrates your unique value, aligns with the firm’s values, and showcases your problem-solving and leadership abilities will stand out.

What are common pitfalls to avoid in a consulting cover letter? Avoid being vague, reiterating your resume, typos, and generic statements not tailored to the specific firm.

Can a strong cover letter compensate for gaps in my resume? Yes, a persuasive cover letter can highlight your strengths and contextualize any gaps, demonstrating your potential value to the firm.

How should I structure my cover letter for a consulting firm? Your cover letter should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs that detail your suitability for the role, and a concise conclusion.

What specific skills should I highlight in my consulting cover letter? Emphasize leadership, analytical abilities, problem-solving, teamwork, and any specific skills relevant to the consulting role.

How can I showcase my passion for consulting in my cover letter? Illustrate your enthusiasm through examples of past experiences, explaining why consulting excites you and how you’ve pursued this passion.

Is it necessary to customize my cover letter for each consulting firm? Absolutely, personalizing your cover letter for each firm shows you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in what makes each firm unique. Also, highlight contacts in the target firms you have interacted with.

What are the key differences between a resume and a cover letter for consulting jobs? A resume outlines your qualifications and experiences, while a cover letter provides a narrative that connects your background to the specific consulting role, demonstrating fit and passion.

Crafting a cover letter that addresses these aspects with clarity and confidence can make a significant difference in your application’s success. Your cover letter is not just a formality but a powerful tool to tell your story and express your enthusiasm for the consulting career path.

Join the Conversation

We hope this guide has illuminated the path to crafting your standout consulting cover letter, whether you’re aiming for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or any other prestigious firm.

Do you have any questions about the application process, or would you like to share your own tips and experiences? Please, don’t hesitate to ask questions or leave your comments below.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Florian spent 5 years with McKinsey as a senior consultant. He is an experienced consulting interviewer and problem-solving coach, having interviewed 100s of candidates in real and mock interviews. He started StrategyCase.com to make top-tier consulting firms more accessible for top talent, using tailored and up-to-date know-how about their recruiting. He ranks as the most successful consulting case and fit interview coach, generating more than 500 offers with MBB, tier-2 firms, Big 4 consulting divisions, in-house consultancies, and boutique firms through direct coaching of his clients over the last 3.5 years. His books “The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview” and “Consulting Career Secrets” are available via Amazon.

Most Popular Products

Search website

Strategycase.com.

© 2024 | Contact: +43 6706059449 | Mattiellistrasse 3/28, 1040 Vienna, Austria

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Universities & consulting clubs
• American Express

Click on the image to learn more.

Career in Consulting

All About Bain Recruitment Process

If you want a job at Bain, you might ask yourself, what is the Bain recruitment process?

Bain & Company is the third largest of the prestigious “MBB” ( McKinsey & Company, BCG , or  Bain & Company ). 

Bain, founded by former Boston Consulting Group consultants, has grown by 15% annually for two decades.

Of the big three, Bain stands out for its culture .

Bain is known for entrepreneurship, tailored solutions, and a work-hard & play-hard culture .

Bain is also #2 on Glassdoor’s 2020 Best Places to Work list.

Bain & Company is a great company for candidates interested in private equity as a post-consulting exit opportunity.

Its sister company, Bain Capital, also uses Bain & Company consultants in private equity engagements.

Bain’s recruitment process is one of the most selective  as well: 

It is common for only the top 1-3% of consulting applicants to receive offers .

In this article, I will remove the mystery of the Bain recruitment process , including the resume and cover letter screening, the Bain Online Test, the experience interview, and the case interview. Plus, Bain’s special twist: the written case interview.

Let’s find out what it takes to become a Bainee .

Table of Contents

Get the latest data about salaries in consulting, an overview of the bain recruitment process.

From the time you apply, until you accept the job offer, you will have to progress through a series of steps in the Bain recruitment process.

Most of the time, this process takes between 4 and 6 weeks, with often 14 days between steps on average. 

However, the two rounds of interviews can be planned for 2 consecutive days.

The typical feeder into Bain is through a target recruitment school published here.

Undergraduates participate in an Associate Consultant Internship before the typical fourth year.

MBAs complete the Summer Associate program between the first and second years.

Let’s see which deviations from the standard Bain recruitment process, as shown in the picture above, can happen.

If you are applying to a South American office, particularly Brazil, it is likely that you will have to take the Bain Online Test before, maybe, being invited to interviews.  

Finally, you may have a different interview process if you apply to a non-consulting position within Analytics & Customer Insights, Digital & Innovation, or Business Services. 

For instance, your interview could include coding tests and project discussions with product engineers, portfolio reviews with other designers, or discussions about coaching and agile methodologies. 

To conclude, check the video below.

This video from Bain & Company shows what Bain looks for when hiring Consultants.  

Show Your Uniqueness: The Resume And Cover Letter Screening

Your resume, with a cover letter, is the first step to a very lucrative job at Bain & Company.

Yet, less than 30% of applicants receive a call for an interview.

So, what is Bain looking for when screening your resume and cover letter ?

First, Bain Is Looking For Academic Performance

A recent study from poetsandquants.com shows which schools are the top MBA feeders in the consulting industry .

For instance, top MBA programs with good placement in the consulting industry include MIT, London Business School, INSEAD, and Columbia Business School. 

Secondly, Bain Is Looking For Specific Qualities

Bain & Company is looking for  people with certain characteristics and skills .

Therefore, all  your resume and cover letter content should demonstrate that you have mastered these skills .

To be more precise: your resume and cover letter content must show  how you used these skills  and  the IMPACT you had .

Lastly, Bain Wants To Understand Your Motivation To Join The Firm

Are your cover letter and resume ready for applications?

Check these two articles to learn how to write winning resumes and cover letters and get lots of examples: consulting resume: 17 advanced writing tips , and  how to write a persuasive and customized cover letter . 

Don't Stress Out: The HR Screening Interview

In most cases, the HR screening interview is conducted by phone and is aimed at briefly reviewing your background.

For instance, the HR screening interview can include a list of questions such as :

• Background questions include “Tell me about yourself” or “Describe your work history.”
• Motivational questions include “Why are you interested in consulting?” and “Why Bain & Company”?
• Specific skill-based questions  include “Tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem in a team”

For this stage, you can expect a 20-minute interview.

Note : This in-depth guide will teach you how to answer those questions later.

Alternatively, to a phone screen, you may be asked to complete the One Way Interview (or One Way Video Interview) .

Bain is following BCG in introducing this interview method .

The Bain one-way interview is a series of interview questions asked (similar to the questions above) and answered via the video interview website Spark Hire.

Hence, you won’t be speaking with a live interviewer.

Instead, you’ll receive the interview questions when you log onto the site from your laptop.

Spark Hire will record a video of your answers for a Bain recruiter to review at a later time.

To conclude: you won’t have a case interview at this stage .

Show Your Logical Reasoning: The Bain Screening Test

The Bain recruitment process includes a screening test.

And the type of test you’ll have to take depends on the office you are applying to.

But the type of test will be one of these 2 types:

• A GMAT-like test (also known as the Bain online test or Bain Gorilla test)
•  The Bain SOVA assessment

Let’s explore these two tests in the next two sections:

The Bain & Company Online Test

As a Consultant or Associate Consultant at Bain, you will spend a lot of time reading and analyzing data (from a graphical chart or an Excel spreadsheet).

Besides, you will have to derive insights from these data and connect these insights to your client’s problem.

The Bain Online Test tests your ability to complete these tasks well.

Indeed, this test has been designed to assess how you use  deductive, inductive, and quantitative reasoning abilities to solve problems logically. 

First, the  Bain Online is a digital test like the McKinsey PST and BCG Potential Test, with a similar feel to the GMAT and GRE. You can expect 25 multi-choice questions for 50 minutes. 

Secondly, the two  most common types of questions you can have are:

• Calculate X, Y, and Z given the following data
• Which of the following conclusions are accurate given the following data

These questions will come in two sections : a business case study with multiple-choice answers and an analytical reasoning section ( GMAT-like questions).

Thirdly,  no business background is required .

You only need your common sense to answer the Bain Online Test questions.

Lastly, be prepared if a calculator is not allowed , and use your natural abilities.

Math questions are solvable with simple math or approximation.

To conclude,  the most challenging part of this test is the time management .

Manage the time allotted to ensure you do your best.

In fact, wrong answers are penalized, while not answering is not.

The Bain SOVA assessment (aptitude and personality test)

This Bain online assessment, also called the Bain online test, is a 75-minute test that can be taken on your own device from anywhere.

The test will examine how you react in certain situations and how you respond to new information.

Sova assessments power the test and include 6 sections:

• Situational Judgement Test
• Numerical Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning
• Personality Questionnaire
• Video interview

Get 4 Complete Case Interview Courses For Free

You need 4 skills to be successful in all case interviews: Case Structuring, Case Leadership, Case Analytics, and Communication. Join this free training and learn how to ace ANY case questions.

Do NOT Neglect It: The Experience Interview

After the screening process, there is a selection process consisting of multiple interviews. 

This section will tell you everything you need about the behavioral interview .

But, before we start, I want to point out a mistake made by too many candidates:  do NOT neglect your preparation for this part of the interview.

What To Expect During The Experience Interview

During each of your behavioral interviews ,  you can expect the four following types of questions :

First, “ Tell me about yourself ” or “Walk me through your resume.” 

Then, “ Why Consulting? “.

Thirdly, “ Why Bain? “.

Finally, several behavioral interview questions . 

You can expect the experience interview (also known as a fit interview) to last around 10 minutes. 

With one exception : during the second round, one interview of the three interviews may consist of only behavioral questions. 

Now, let’s go through these 4x questions. 

Tell Me About Yourself

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

This question, or common variants such as “Walk me through your resume,” is an easy and open-ended start to a conversation where your interviewer wants to know the following:

• What are your motivations, and what drives you?
• Which problems you had to solve, and how you solved them ?
• What is your academic background?
• How do you deal with people ?
• What impact have you had in the past?

Related article : Tell Me About Yourself: How to Answer This Question.

Why Consulting?

A natural question following “Tell me about yourself” is “ Why consulting? ” .

Because the second most important thing that Bain wants to know after who you are is:

• if you understand what Consulting is,
• and if you are truly interested in pursuing a career in that industry .

Why’s that?

Because Bain doesn’t want you to leave after six months when you would have realized that the consulting lifestyle doesn’t fit your objectives.

So, whether Consulting is a thoughtful career choice or an “I don’t know what to do, let’s try” career choice, there are many good reasons why Consulting can be a good opportunity.

7 Reasons Why Consulting Can Be A Good Career Opportunity

• #1 - It's a good career choice after University if you don't know what to do : if you don't know what to do after University or after your MBA (you're not alone!), then Consulting is a safe bet. You'll have the opportunity to explore which career, sector or specialty is right for you
• #2 - You'll have a strong impact : you'll have the opportunity to work on and solve the most pressing problems faced by big corporations
• #3 - You'll have a strong exposure to C-level Executives : early on in your career, you'll work directly for CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, etc. and start developing the soft skills to become a senior Executive later
• #4 - You'll learn a lot : Consulting firms invest a lot in training their consultants. In addition, the feedback culture is very strong and you'll get full performance reviews regularly
• #5 - You'll work with bright people : consultancies pride themselves on hiring bright and interesting people. Plus, with 3-month projects on average, you'll meet a lot of different people in consulting
• #6 - You'll have the opportunity to work in an international environment : large consultancies sell work to businesses and governments all around the world
• #7 - You'll have access to an amazing alumni network : having worked in a consulting firm will give you access to its alumni network that will help you throughout your career

2 Other Reasons Why Consulting Can Be A Good Career Opportunity (But You Can't Tell Them To Your Interviewer)

• #8 - You'll have great exit opportunities : headhunting firms or big corporations love ex-consultants. Even now, 5 years after I left Consulting, head hunters still contact me on Linkedin to point out interesting opportunities
• #9 - You'll earn a lot of money : consulting is also known as a very well-paid industry. The average base salary for a Bain Consultant is $156,000 a year according to Glassdoor. Plus, your salary will increase between 10% and 25% each year

Besides listing a couple of reasons why you want to pursue a career in consulting, a compelling answer should explain WHY these reasons are important for you . 

To conclude this section, you can check this article to learn how to craft a compelling answer to the “why consulting?” question. 

Next, “Why Bain?” : This question evaluates your motivation to join Bain&Company.

I have explained in this article how to have a compelling answer to this question.

Behavioral Interview Questions

• Describe a challenging situation when you have had to work hard to achieve something, in a limited time, outside your comfort zone 
• Tell me about a time when you have had to work with someone with an opposing opinion 
• Describe the greatest challenge you have had to overcome when working effectively together with a group of people 

Watch the video on this  page  to see Bain’s examples of the experience interview.

Hence, be prepared to go into detail and explain your options, your decisions (and why), what was difficult, what you enjoyed the most, etc. 

Be Exceptionally Structured: The Case Interview

The case interview is another problem-solving test.

Bain believes the best way to assess your problem-solving skills is to discuss a real client scenario with you .

This helps them understand how you structure tough, ambiguous business challenges, identify important issues, deal with all the implications of facts and data, formulate conclusions and recommendations, and articulate your thoughts in a fast-moving discussion.

For instance, you can watch this that outlines what to expect during the case interviews:

Besides what is outlined in the above video, you can watch what a real interview looks like in the next video:

Interviewer-Led vs. Candidate-Led Interviews

The Bain-style case interview follows the candidate-led case study interview format .

What does that mean?

First,  your interviewer will present a problem .

After asking clarifying questions, you must structure an approach to solve this problem.

Secondly, it is up to you to determine the course of the conversation – with some help from the interviewer.

Here are the steps Bain evaluates:

• Problem structuring – organize the problem into an issue tree
• Hypothesis – direct the conversation by choosing a logical path to follow
• Analysis – review a graph and synthesize information relevant to the client
• Quantitative analysis – solve a simple mathematical calculation without a calculator and synthesize the results for the client
• Synthesis – the partner or client CEO is in the elevator with you. What do you recommend they do?

Your interviewer knows the details you learn by asking good questions.

But don’t worry.

The interviewer won’t let you get stuck.

Good examples of interviewer-led cases can be found in the sample cases on the Bain  website.

Furthermore, you can read my free case interview guide .

Other consulting firms, such as McKinsey & Company, might use  interviewer-led case study interviews , in which the interviewer asks a series of formal questions about the case.

The Bain Written Case Interview

Bain gives some candidates – depending on the office – a written case study.

Don’t worry.

It’s not an essay .

You’ll craft two handwritten slides.

Bain believes some candidates do better when offered extra time to formulate thoughts.

The written case study is a chance to use the extra time to demonstrate your problem-solving skills .

Your interviewer will give you 20-30 PowerPoint slides .

You can ask your interviewer questions.

You’ll then have 55 minutes to craft a recommendation.

One slide will show your recommendation , and another for your rationale .

Your interviewer will then discuss your recommendations with you for 40 minutes.

My advice to you is the same as with the candidate-led case study interviews.

But with extra time, you should strengthen your argument by considering alternatives and counter-arguments .

Keith Bevans, Bain’s global head of recruiting, talks about the written case study in this video.

Bain Wants You To Succeed

Unlike in many industries, management consulting firms tell you exactly how to interview.

The challenge is meeting Bain’s level of excellence.

To help you and other candidates meet baseline expectations, Bain provides these resources to candidates :

• Job-level specific advice
• Two interactive practice case interviews
• Mock interview examples at the Associate Consultant and Consultant levels

I want you to succeed, too: you can find a list of 250+ practice cases  on this page.

Related article : 11 must-know frameworks to ace your case interviews.

You’re Almost Done: Ask the Interviewer Great Questions

You’ve made it through the behavioral and case study portions.

Now, the interviewer asks if you have any questions.

Bain is genuinely interested in your questions. Interviewers want to know you are passionate about consulting and working at Bain & Company.

Here are some ideas for great questions:

• Make a connection with your interviewer . Ask questions about their background and their current work that interest you
• Explore the culture of the office at which you are interviewing
• Clarify the structure of the office, Bain, or client engagements

You can read this article to build your list of smart questions to ask at the end of your interviews. 

The Infamous Blacklist: Does It Exist? And How to Overcome It

The jury is out on if there is a Bain blacklist.

Here’s what I do know: only apply if you are ready to interview .

Remember, management consulting is a destination job for university programs and experienced hires.

Competition is strong .

For instance, if you do not pass the interviews, consulting firms will request you wait 12-18 months until you reapply .

Even then, Bain & Company may want to see a significant career change as evidence your skills have improved to pass another set of interviews, such as through a graduate degree, significant promotion, or work at a top-tier company.

Don’t dwell on the question of the blacklist, but remember, competition is tough.

Be confident before you interview.

Offered an interview but not feeling ready? I can help you prepare in as little as 4 weeks .

The Bain Recruitment Process: Conclusion

To conclude, you now better understand the essentials of the Bain & Company interview process.

Curious about the recruitment process for other top firms? Read more here:

• Boston Consulting Group

Now I want to hear from you:

Do you have any questions about the process?

With which part of the process do you struggle the most?

Leave a comment below.

SHARE THIS POST

4 thoughts on “All About Bain Recruitment Process”

Pingback: How to answer “Why McKinsey?”, “Why BCG?”, or “ Why Bain?” questions - Career in Consulting

A wonderful and exceptionally accurate precis of the recruitment journey. I can attest to that from first hand knowledge.

Well done Sebastian

i can’t book for a call!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You need 4 skills to be successful in all case interviews: Case Structuring, Case Leadership, Case Analytics, and Communication. Enroll in our 4 free courses and discover the proven systems +300 candidates used to learn these 4 skills and land offers in consulting.

Consulting Cover Letter Tips, Hacks, Requirements & Examples

If you’re applying for consulting positions at prestigious firms like McKinsey, Bain & BCG, then you may be wondering how to write a consulting cover letter.

The best consulting cover letters connect your past experiences with the values of the company you’re applying to. The general format is to have an opening, 3 or 4 key paragraphs where you connect the company’s values to your own experience and a close.

But the devil is in the details. So let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

How To Write A Cover Letter For Consulting

A surefire way to write your consulting cover letter is to Google the values of your target firm and then use those values to show that your personality and past experience make you a perfect fit.

To do this, you’ll need to:

1. Google the name of the company you’re applying to (Example: Bain) and the word “values”. The top result will normally be a page on that company’s website where they list out their company values.

2. Jot down their top 3 to 4 company values.

3. Add each value to your cover letter as a bolded bullet point and, right after (or under) it, tell a to-the-point story of how you delivered on exactly that value.

4. Add an opening paragraph that expresses your interest in the company. Include one specific thing you like about that company. Be specific.

5. Add a closing that reiterates your interest.

And that’s it. This formula has helped consultants across the world land that coveted interview.

Tip: If you don’t find a “values” page in your initial Google search, try clicking around the company’s website until you find their recruitment page . There’s a good chance that they’ll list what they’re looking for on this page. Use those to craft your bullet-points.

Do Cover Letters Matter For Consulting?

MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) companies have made cover letters optional. If you have a great GPA and graduated from an Ivy League school, and your resume doesn’t have any “red flags”, then you might get away with not having a cover letter.

As a general rule, cover letters help consultants get interviews. Your cover letter is your opportunity to tell the story that your resume can’t. A good cover letter can turn a mediocre application into an interview.

Keep in mind that, every day, consultants turn boring facts into convincing stories. It’s not enough to have the facts (your resume). You have to know how to turn the bland into the compelling. And if you can’t do that in your resume, then a consultancy might wonder if you can do it at all.

How Long Should My Consulting Cover Letter Be?

Recruiters for top consulting firms sift through hundreds of applications every day . So how long should your cover letter be?

Your consulting cover letter should be about a page long. You’ll want to write it to be long enough to be compelling but short enough to skim in a few seconds.

Your ability to sell yourself in a single page will be an important deciding factor on your suitability for the position you’re applying for.

Do McKinsey, Bain & BCG Require A Cover Letter?

McKinsey, Bain & BCG all state on their websites that they don’t require a cover letter but, keep in mind, a good cover letter could strengthen your application.

This is particularly important if you have any work gaps in your resume, or any red flags (like a low GPA).

How Do I Write A Cover Letter For McKinsey, Bain & BCG?

Writing a cover letter for McKinsey, Bain & BCG is pretty much the same across all 3 firms.

In all cases, you want to have a short opening paragraph, 3-5 paragraphs highlighting your strengths and how they’re linked to the company’s values, and a short closing paragraph. Focus on good, succinct storytelling while delivering specific numbers on the outcomes you’ve achieved.

What Should A Cover Letter For McKinsey, Bain & BCG Include?

According to Victor Cheng (author, ex-consultant & ex-recruiter for multiple top consulting firms), these are the 5 things recruiters look for:

1. Well-known employers or schools.

2. academic performance., 3. high test results in math., 4. proof of leadership and people skills., 5. notable achievements in your career (relative to the length of your career)..

Let’s look at each.

The company you end up working for has to sell you to their clients. If you’ve graduated from a top school, that’s an easy sell. If you’ve worked for a top firm, that’s an easy sell.

If you haven’t worked for a top firm, then you have to focus that much more on the other 4 criteria. (Or you need to get on an unpaid internship ASAP!)

Always put your GPA in your CV. If you don’t, they’ll ask for it anyway and write it in. A 3.5 GPA is like the bare minimum and recruiters and firms won’t really bother with you if you don’t seem smart.

Being good at Math is strongly linked to doing well at logical and analytics tasks. You don’t need a perfect score but higher is definitely better.

Being smart isn’t enough. You need to know how to work with people who may or may not dislike you. Your personality can’t get in the way of a client getting the results they want or need.

So you have to demonstrate times in the past where you were faced with a difficult situation and your people skills are what saved the day.

Focus on outcomes, not just responsibilities. Use numbers where possible. And focus on what’s relevant.

And balance it all against the time you spent working or studying. You don’t want to be the person who spent a few years at a firm or studying and did nothing outside of the ordinary. Every candidate studied. Every candidate worked. Focus on what you achieved that few (or no) other people achieved.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be miles ahead of your fellow candidates.

For more consulting career advice , click here.

Related Posts

5 Reasons Why It Is SO Hard To Get Into Consulting

4 Reasons People Want to Become Consultants

Why Are Consultants Paid So Much? Solved!

Exclusive Training : Get access to top-notch training materials.

High Earning Potential : Start a lucrative career.

Get the Reddit app

R/consulting.

• View page history
• View page source

Cover Letters

Guiding principles, sample cover letter structure, format and other tips, sample cover letter, additional reading.

The cover letter is part of your job search narrative (other components of your narrative include the elevator pitch, résumé, and interview). It is a written document that provides additional qualitative detail beyond the résumé. At the same time, it aims to show that you understand what consulting firms are looking for and that you have the relevant skills and experience needed to succeed in the position.

Note that some firms, such as McKinsey and BCG, no longer require cover letters (at least for MBAs). The importance of the cover letter can be debated for other firms. Some say that Bain and Deloitte spend more time with it because they prioritize fit. Others from those firms say that they just toss the cover letter off the bat. Likely, it comes down to the individual screener - and since you probably want to maximize your chances, it is better to strive for a great cover letter that does not get read, than risk having a mediocre cover letter that does get read.

I would also note that the cover letter is especially important for career switchers and non-business degrees. The story for why a Finance major wants to work for a management consultancy is easy to imagine; it is not as clear why a teacher or a PhD would want to join such firms.

Being Memorable – The résumé should take care of the cold, hard facts; the cover letter should allow your personality to show through your stories and your tone.

Demonstrated Interest – The résumé is all about you; the cover letter is the ideal place to show the firm what you have learned about them.

Transferable Skills – Employers want to know that you are capable of doing what they need, especially if you did not hold a similar job in the past. So you want to sell your transferable skills; for consulting, be sure to highlight:

• leadership / teamwork
• problem solving
• quantitative analysis
• communication / persuasion skills

Note: there are many, many, many ways to write a cover letter! This structure is just meant to highlight some of the important points to convey.

First Paragraph

• The position you are applying for and how you learned about it
• Why you want to be a consultant (if the connection is not obvious)
• Things about the firm that make you a good fit
• People you have networked with at the firm and/or events you have attended
• A great opening would have "people at the firm" illuminating for you "things that make you a good fit" or "why you want to be a consultant"

Second Paragraph

• A story from your current job that you want screeners to remember you by
• Make sure to highlight the impact that you had and the transferrable skills that you used
• This should provide detail BEYOND the corresponding entry on your résumé

Third Paragraph (Optional)

• Could be a continuation of the story above
• Could be a new, shorter story
• Could be a summary of your education
• Could be any other relevant highlights

Final Paragraph

• Summary of why you will be a good fit
• Cordial closing (thank the interviewer for their time, promise any additional information, etc.)
• Maintain easily readable font, 11+ is preferred
• Business correspondence does not require paragraph indentations
• Address the letter to the recruiter if possible instead of "To Whom It May Concern"
• See here for the traditional layout
• Use the firm's "language" if possible in the content; check their "What We Look For" and "Mission / Vision" pages for inspiration
• Double - no, triple - check the firm name, position, and addressee!
• Spell check!

Note: I wrote this in 20 minutes! It is just a high-level sample to demonstrate some of the points above!

Dear Mr. Beer Warrior,

I am very excited to apply for the position of Associate for Reddit Consulting Group. I am drawn by the opportunity that RCG offers to tackle the difficult problems that impact both corporations and the public at large. Through getting to know the firm, I have been continually impressed by RCGers and their commitment to the firm's “Intrapreneurship” philosophy. In particular, my conversations with AnonyPanda (London) about his bank customer interaction analysis showcased how RCG innovatively approaches even traditional industries. Furthermore, I have been charmed by the tolerance that is common to all the RCGers that I have met. Learning about AMAs and office life in detail from ChiGuy50 (Chicago), I find the collaborative culture within RCG to be like that of no other firm.

Currently, I am a Regional Manager in Video Services for Kabletown. Through leading a small team through a complicated merger, I have honed my ability to unbundle complex situations and communicate the solutions plainly. On a daily basis, I partnered with numerous stakeholders to ensure that deliverables were high quality, timelines were met, and that all issues were addressed efficiently. In one example, I led the integration of a new Siberia-based team into our region. To do this, I started by individually meeting with my 20 Sub-Region Leaders so that I could personally collect their concerns while providing reassurances. Next, I made numerous course corrections to the original integration plan, especially with the time frames of different workstreams. Ultimately, my initiative allowed Kabletown to save over 9,000 work hours. Successes like this allowed me to be rewarded with increased responsibilities and rapid promotions.

I am positive that the skills I developed in delivering difficult projects and managing diverse teams will make me a fantastic fit for Reddit Consulting Group. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to interview with the firm. Please feel free to let me know if I can provide any additional details. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing back.

Kind Regards,

• Management Consulted on Cover Letters
• Ten Tips for Management Consulting Cover Letters
• McKinsey Cover Letters

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

Symbol Matches

Symbol starts with, company matches.

• International
• Switzerland

thanks for visiting cnnmoney.

We're no longer maintaining this page.

For the latest business news and markets data, please visit CNN Business

How to write a killer cover letter

Anyone who's ever applied for a job knows how stressful it can be. And for some, the hardest part is the cover letter.

It should be professional, but make you stand out. It should be short, but not too short.

While a cover letter can seem like a formality, it's an important first step in the process.

"It's your personal sales brochure," said James Innes, chairman of the James Innes Group and author of several career books. No wonder it's so daunting.

Here are a few tips to help you pen the cover letter most likely to get you hired.

Read the job posting closely

"The things that come at the top of the job description are the most important," said Martin Yate, career coach and bestselling author of the Knock 'Em Dead series.

To make sure you highlight the traits your potential employer really cares about, refer to the skills listed in the job posting to inform how you talk about yourself in your letter.

Yate suggested going a step further by reviewing job listings at several companies, and seeing if any skills or traits are repeated across an industry. "I would recommend collecting half a dozen job postings," he said. "Look at what they have in common."

Quality over quantity

When you're first looking for jobs, it can be tempting to send out a generic cover letter to as many employers as possible. But that doesn't work, Innes said. Recruiters can tell, and they don't like it.

Keith Bevans, head of Bain & Company's global consultant recruiting, warned that a poor cover letter can hurt an applicant's chances of getting the job. "The cover letter becomes an important data point on how good they are at certain skills that might be relevant to the job they're applying for," he said.

Related: How to answer the salary question during a job interview

Make a good first impression by ditching "to whom it may concern." Instead, look for the name of a hiring manager and address it to them. You should also try to find out a little bit about them, and say something nice about their achievements. "If you can flatter someone in the opening line and create a connection, you've got their attention," said Yate.

Tell a good story

Once you've determined what matters to employers, figure out what type of story you want to tell about yourself -- and be succinct.

"The best cover letters tend to be short and to the point," Bevans said. You don't want to repeat what's in your résumé.

Rather than telling employers what you think you're capable of, tell them what you've already achieved. "People are hired on credentials, not potential," said Yate. "We want to leave out things like 'I think I could do a great job.'" Offer specific, relevant examples, Innes added.

Related: What top employers look for in new college grads

Bevans noted that if you're going to use buzzy terms to describe yourself, you should be able to back them up. "A lot of students write cover letters that are like treasure maps with no treasure," he said. "If you say you're a good team player" you should have a specific example to back that up, said Bevans.

Stick to clean templates

Yate recommended using one of two possible cover letter formats. The first is a simple letter, made up of a few paragraphs and lasting no longer than a single page. First get your reader's attention with a personal reference, then name the position you're applying for. In the following paragraphs, lay out your relevant skills and experiences. Conclude by outlining an actionable next step. Rather than telling the reader you look forward to hearing from them, say you'll reach out by a certain date to follow up.

The second format is called an executive briefing . You still write a paragraph at the top explaining what you're applying for, and one at the bottom with a plan of action. But instead of writing out some paragraphs in between, set up two columns: One with a list of requirements pulled form the job posting, and one with a list of your corresponding skills and achievements. This format lets recruiters see clearly why your experience makes you a good fit for the job.

Check your work

"Presentation is important," said Innes. That means not only that your cover letter should be cleanly laid out, but also that your spelling and grammar have to be perfect.

"Recruiters sit and read through a lot of résumés," Innes said. "You become very good at spotting those errors." Chances are, he said, recruiters will just trash a cover letter with spelling or grammatical errors.

Personal Finance

Lendingtree paid partner, cnnmoney sponsors, smartasset paid partner.

• These are your 3 financial advisors near you
• This site finds and compares 3 financial advisors in your area
• Check this off your list before retirement: talk to an advisor
• Answer these questions to find the right financial advisor for you
• Find CFPs in your area in 5 minutes

NextAdvisor Paid Partner

• An Insane Card Offering 0% Interest Until Nearly 2020
• Transferring Your Balance to a 14-Month 0% APR is Ingenious
• The Top 7 Balance Transfer Credit Cards On The Market Today
• Get $300 Back With This Outrageous New Credit Card

• Recently Active
• Top Discussions
• Best Content

By Industry

• Investment Banking
• Private Equity
• Hedge Funds
• Real Estate
• Venture Capital
• Asset Management
• Equity Research
• Investing, Markets Forum
• Business School
• Fashion Advice
• Management Consulting Forum CO

Cover Letter, what differentiates Bain from the rest? *Smart Answers!*

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share via Email

So if you're writing a cover letter for a bain job, what should you write to demonstrate you know not only a lot about the firm but something interesting that distinguishes it from the rest?

I've had a look at wetfeet's industry guide and its pretty abyssmal whats more its 2003 news. lots have changed over the years. wikipedia didn't help much too.

Anyone care to chip in?

I don't think you're in a position to demand smart answers. Try searching.

LOL, exactly bro. This is not a gameshow here. Why don't you give us 3-4 smart answers and we can help you in picking the best of them.

Don't expect freebies in life my friend.

if you seriously cant come up with answers for this, you probably shouldn't be applying to bain....

Take this advice with a grain of salt (new disclaimer), after this I'm done posting on here for a while.

The General Bain Cover Letter

If you go to bain.com and look at the "Case Interview" process--a Partner states that he likes logical thinkers who can get the point across quickly. I would think Bain would appreciate a logical cover letter (they tell you what they want to see basically). You can read some of their reports to get a feel for the language uesd.

Why you, why Bain, what you offer. What's the value you're adding? Simply state a 1st paragraph introducing yourself, what you are applying for, and what you offer (abbreviated).

Just my 2 cents. (Experience: Bain partners are my alums, went to 3 Bain presentations, selected for interview after cold-email).

Your Question:

Resources to look at:

Bain & Co's Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/bainandcompany

Recent story about how a Bainie goes beyond helping a bainie. This is the differentiation. Do you have a story like that? (Read the Facebook page).

More on, www.managementconsulted.com

Bain is an excellent MBB , very objectively driven, sends about ~40 alums to each HBS class of 900.

You should probably mention baincest.

ringtailedlemur: You should probably mention baincest.

Bain app, hidden cover letter question ( Originally Posted: 12/06/2011 )

Is this thing asking for a cover letter? A two-sentence blurb? "My daddy is a VP"? Or what?

Nisi quibusdam voluptas molestiae modi voluptatum dolorem autem. Voluptatibus ad quae porro qui odio. Impedit cupiditate quam et voluptate nesciunt. Sapiente adipisci excepturi repellendus facere expedita. Maxime est quasi et. Deleniti eius nobis numquam et non.

Laborum similique dicta eaque et voluptatem. Id odio omnis veniam repudiandae qui in. Optio dolores deleniti ullam.

Voluptas autem natus ipsa sed eum rerum qui. Sint itaque voluptatem totam commodi laboriosam qui. Qui dolores eos quis sit maiores quis ullam provident. Consequatur omnis impedit porro quia pariatur similique. Sint ut facere hic ut et ab. Eaque repellendus optio fuga eos deserunt nulla ea. Non quas exercitationem harum qui dolorem deserunt sed.

See All Comments - 100% Free

WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)

or Unlock with your social account...

Want to Vote on this Content?! No WSO Credits?

Already a member? Login

Trending Content - Management Consulting Forum

Career Resources

• Financial Modeling Resources
• Excel Resources
• Download Templates Library
• Salaries by Industry
• Investment Banking Interview Prep
• Private Equity Interview Prep
• Hedge Fund Interview Prep
• Consulting Case Interview Prep
• Resume Reviews by Professionals
• Mock Interviews with Pros
• WSO Company Database

WSO Virtual Bootcamps

• Sep 14 Financial Modeling & Valuation Bootcamp Sep 14 - 15 10:00AM EDT
• Sep 21 Venture Capital Bootcamp 10:00AM EDT
• Sep 21 Investment Banking Interview Bootcamp 10:00AM EDT
• Sep 28 Real Estate Modeling Bootcamp 10:00AM EDT
• Oct 05 Private Equity Interview Bootcamp 10:00AM EDT

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2024 Consulting

Overall Employee Satisfaction

Professional Growth Opportunities

Total Avg Compensation

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

• Silver Banana
• Banana Points

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”

Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.

or Want to Sign up with your social account?

Bain Cover Letter

Written by . Posted in Cover Letter

Bain has been labeled as one of the most prestigious management consulting firms in the world. Its 5,000+ employees, located in 48 offices in 31 countries, are committed to helping startups and large companies attain maximum economic value. Its prestige attracts thousands of applicants each year, making the firm’s recruitment process highly intense.

The techniques below can help you craft a Bain cover letter that stands out among the other candidates.

Know What They Are Looking For

Bain’s recruiting materials state that they are looking for exceptional candidates who possess:

These prerequisites will guide you in customizing and finalizing the content of your Bain cover letter. Unique content expresses your sincere interest in the job and consequently helps you stand out among the other applicants.

Include Relevant Information

You may have a number of achievements but including everything is highly discouraged. Recruiters  spend less than 30 seconds per application, so every word in your one-page document must reflect what the firm needs.

The letter should answer the following questions:

Other Cover Letter Information

Your Bain cover letter should also explain potential issues recruiters may detect from your resume. For instance, if there is a major gap in your work history, you can explain your activities while you were unemployed. Did you leave your previous employer because you wanted to pursue a graduate degree or because your spouse was relocated to a different city? This is also applicable to those who wanted to shift into a management consulting career. Elaborate upon the reasons that influenced such a major decision and include the soft skills you possess which will enable you to carry out all consulting responsibilities.

After proofreading your cover letter, you can hand it to Bain representatives during job fairs or you can  upload it onto their website.

You Might Also Like...

• BCG Cover Letter
• Bain Cover Letter Sample
• Booz Cover Letter
• Consulting Cover Letter Examples
• Consulting Cover Letter Outline
• Consulting Cover Letter and Resume Tips
• Consulting Firm Profile: Bain & Company
• Consulting Resume Editing
• How to Craft a McKinsey Cover Letter
• Management Consulting Cover Letter Sample
• McKinsey Cover Letter Sample
• Mistakes to Avoid in a Management Consulting Cover Letter

I've spoken to recruiters, and they've told me they actually don't read cover letters. Is that your experience?

That has not been our experience with McKinsey, Bain, or BCG. During the time our team has spent at the top consulting firms, we have taken the cover letter into account as a key component of the application.

Out of the MBB firms, McKinsey recruiters tend to be more flexible with whether they review the cover letters. They changed their requirement for the cover letter in 2018 but we would still recommend including one. We still see that Bain and BCG review the cover letter in depth.

There are three occasions where it is really important to include one:

(1) If you need to explain your office preferences, as the office recruiters will go in and look at your cover letter to make sure you have a tie or a reason to have selected that office.

(2) The second instance is if you’ve applied before, since recruiters typically will take the time to go in and look at that cover letter to see what’s changed since your last application.

(3) If you have something in your background that you are worried about (e.g. GPA, test scores, non-relevant work experienced, etc.) since you can show the recruiters in the cover letter that you do have skills to overcome whatever barrier you are worried about.

For more on the cover letter, go  here .

• Back to Application Strategy FAQ

© My CONSULTING Offer

We are excited to invite you to the online event.

Where should we send you the calendar invite and login information.

What to do when Cover Letter not required

I have noticed that some companies state ‘we do not require a Cover Letter’ in their application information, e.g. LEK and Bain in London.

Does this mean it's not worth writing one, or is it always worth writing one?

Many thanks

Q: Does this mean it's not worth writing one, or is it always worth writing one?

Depending on the company, they may or may not screen your cover letter if you attach it. The problem is that you won’t know that in advance.

Given that most likely you have a format ready for the others and you just need to tweak it a bit, I would make the extra effort just in case.

You can find some tips on the cover letter below:

▶  How to Craft a Great Cover Letter

If a company explicitly states that they do not require a cover letter in their application information, you should generally follow their instructions and not submit a cover letter. Here's why:

Respect for the Company's Process: Companies have specific application processes and requirements in place for a reason. Ignoring these instructions may be seen as not following directions, which is not a positive impression to make.

Efficiency: When a company states that they do not require a cover letter, it often indicates that their hiring process is designed to evaluate candidates primarily based on their resume, application form, and interviews. Submitting additional materials, like a cover letter, may not align with their streamlined evaluation process.

Equal Opportunity: Companies often aim to create a level playing field for all applicants. If some candidates submit cover letters while others do not, it could create an imbalance in the evaluation process.

However, it's crucial to make sure that your resume and the information you provide in the application form are comprehensive and effectively communicate your qualifications, skills, and experiences. In cases where a cover letter is not required, you should focus on making your resume and application form as strong as possible to ensure you present a compelling case for your candidacy.

If you're ever uncertain about whether to submit a cover letter, you can consider reaching out to the company's HR department or recruiting team for clarification. Otherwise, it's generally advisable to adhere to their stated application requirements and not include a cover letter when it's not explicitly requested.

If it were me? I would always submit a cover letter where there is an option.

If there are 100 identical candidates and 10 submit a cover letter, all things equal, who would you interview?

Why wouldn't you do everything to maximize your odds for your dream companies?

Now, remember, you don't have to write a whole cover letter for each one. I have built out cover letter mass production techniques that lets you churn out high quality cover letters in about 20 minutes (once you have the pieces together).

Feel free to message for how to do this!

The way I interpreted these phrasings is that a CL is optional. So I don't think your application will be negatively viewed if you did submit a CL.

If I had a really strong CL already done I would probably include it. Otherwise a strong CV standalone is better than a strong CV + weak CL.

All the best!

I recommend consistently submitting a cover letter when given the option, as it can significantly enhance your chances of standing out among applicants, particularly for your dream companies.

It means that they're tired of candidates writing bad cover letter just to tick a box :)

So if you can write a great cover letter, that will make a difference. Which is why I do recommend people to write and give them my support in developing them. 

If you're now in the application process, have a look also at the following guide to see what else you can optimise for in the funnel to maximise the chances of getting invited to interviews:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best, Cristian

———————————————

Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

If they don't require one… don't write one… Unless there's something really special that you want to convey trough the Cover Letter. 

Otherwise you are wasting their time for no good reason.

I suggest to always submit the cover letter. This is a one-off main  effort that needs little tweaks among applications and it may be the differential factor to get the interview invitation call.

• Select category
• General Feedback
• Case Interview Preparation
• Technical Problems

Popular Searches

Your previous searches, recently visited pages.

Content added to Red Folder

Removed from Red Folder

Bain London University Hiring

Bain & Company is one of the world's leading management consulting firms. We work with top executives to help them make better decisions, convert those decisions to actions and deliver the sustainable success they desire.

Bain people are dynamic, entrepreneurial and thrive on early responsibility. We are looking for Bachelors, Masters (non-MBA) and PhD students from any discipline (or university) to join us as Associate Consultants . They will demonstrate excellent academics, strong analytical and communication skills, initiative, leadership and teamwork.

Join our London team

Applications for our Associate Consultant role are now open and will close at 23:59 BST on the 17th October

Achieve the extraordinary with us

Apply online Applications are now open and will close at 23:59 BST on the 17th October.

Assessment information

Following your application, you will receive a link to an online assessment which you will need to complete. The assessment will cover questions on your behavioural preferences, numerical, verbal and logical reasoning. You can find helpful preparation tips by visiting the Candidate Preparation Hub and looking at the following assessments: numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning and a personality questionnaire.

People at Bain have a diverse range of personality traits and thinking styles, and we are not looking for one single type of person.

Interview information Interviews consist of two rounds, with first rounds held in mid-November and final rounds held in late November. Interviews during both rounds consist of case interviews, so please consider beginning to practise early – helpful information and a video recorded interview can be found here .

Diversity and Inclusion

We're guided by true north.

True North is our unswerving commitment to always do the right thing by our clients, our people and our communities.

Social impact

We apply our expertise beyond client work to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. on a wide range of initiatives, we partner with ground-breaking organisations in education, economic development and sustainability..

In 2020, Bain has committed to mentoring 50+ LGBTQ+ refugees in San Francisco, New York City, and London over the next three years in association with Tent .

Education Transformation

Through our Social Impact “ring fence”, we work with long-term partners ( Impetus-The Private Equity Foundation ,  Ark Schools  and  The Social Business Trust ) to help disadvantaged young people. A full team works throughout the year to deliver projects across our capabilities to 50+ organisations within these partner portfolios.

Pro-Bono Projects

On top of their corporate cases, our consultants deliver “extra 10%” projects to charities and NGOs throughout the year, which consistently prove to be highly rewarding and impactful. Recent projects cover all of our focus areas and include organisations as diverse as the  UNHCR  to local food bank charities.

Volunteering

Our office also sponsors other volunteering initiatives. Those include small team events (e.g. cleaning the beach, cooking for the homeless) to long-term commitments with social enterprises (lunchtime tutoring programmes, mock interviews for job seekers aged 16-25 and mentoring/training of charity CEOs). 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know.

Applications are now open and will close at 13:59 BST on the 17th October.

If you are currently in your final year of study or if you have less than two years of experience in industry since graduation, you would be considered for the Associate Consultant role via our University Hiring stream.

If you have more than two years of industry experience, please visit the  Working Professionals webpage  or email  [email protected] , who will be able to provide information about the experienced professional recruiting process at Bain London. 

You will not need to submit a cover letter if applying for the Associate Consultant role in the London office. Please note that a cover letter may be required for some Bain offices. We recommend checking with each of your office preferences for their specific application requirements.

Not a problem, please make sure you include as much detail as possible in your application. We will use our global office network to ensure we have a full picture of international grades in order to assess your application. 

Have a question not covered here? Contact us at  [email protected]  

Unfortunately, our London office does not offer internships/electives. The full list of Bain offices that offer internships can be found  here . Please note that fluency in the national language is required in some offices. We suggest that you contact these offices directly if you are interested in following an internship or work experience – please find their details  here . 

The assessment will cover questions on your behavioural preferences, numerical, verbal and logical reasoning. People at Bain have a diverse range of personality traits and thinking styles, and we are not looking for one single type of person. We would recommend visiting the  Candidate Preparation Hub  if you would like to explore any of these parts further. 

Please ensure that all sections of the online assessment are completed by midday, 22nd October (BST). 

Interviews consist of two rounds, both taking place in November. Interviews during both rounds consist of case interviews, so please consider beginning to practice early – helpful information and a video recorded interview can be found  here .

Interviews will be held in our London office and/or virtually via Zoom. You’ll find out more about this nearer the time.

We have Associate Consultant start dates several times per year, typically January, April, July, September and November. You'll have a chance to learn more about this during the interview process.

We hold a number of events on campus and virtually every year – you can find out about all the events we’re hosting  here .

Contact us at  [email protected] . 

Glassdoor's Best Place to Work in 2024

Our people have spoken and we’re #1 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list in the US and the UK. Since the rankings debuted in 2009, we've ranked among the top four companies in the US every single year and have now earned the #1 spot a record six times.

• What is it?
• Before & After Examples.
• INTERVIEWING.
• CONSULTATION.
• Login / Register
• Your cart is currently empty.
• Cover Letter Example. Bain Associate.*
• Cover Letter

[gviewer width=”3000px;” file=”https://resumestory.builders/wp-content/uploads/Associate-Management-Consultant-Cover-Letter-Example-Bain.pdf”]

March 10th, 2018

Dear Bain & Co. Consulting Team,

Less than a minute into my chat with Jane Smith, a Bain Associate in your San Francisco office, I realized I was in the presence of someone who unapologetically loved her job. Jane emphasized the friendships she’d forged at work as well how the ‘build your own Bain’ philosophy had helped her stretch herself professionally. In applying for the Associate Consultant role in your London office, I hope to encounter similar challenges and growth opportunities. I would be delighted if you would consider me for the role.

In the business world, outcomes are oftentimes explained in terms of limiting factors ‘If only there were more budget…or time…or flexibility…’. Managing clients ranging from Goldman Sachs to the City of Leeds, I’ve found that it’s precisely the limitations set forth that keep me engaged in my work. Budget, material, location or use constraints force me and my team to be stealthy in devising solutions which are practical, elegant, and financially viable.

On several occasions senior leadership at ZGF Architects has selected me to manage our most complex projects and most exigent clients. I believe that’s because as a project manager, I’ve consistently delivered on time and within budget without neglecting the essential: building team spirit, maintaining harmony, and steering my team members toward our shared goal.

Listening to clients explain their problems, I’ve learned how important it is to reserve judgement as to a) an issue’s root-cause and, by extension, b) the type of strategic approach which is merited.

When a former client insisted that his school’s financial issues were the result of a branding problem, I could have agreed and offered up an architectural solution – updating the school’s façade and interior. Instead, I considered his theory, but also explored the null hypothesis, namely, that the real issue lay elsewhere. I investigated and realized that the school had a very traditional course offering which hadn’t been updated more than fifteen years. I crafted a strategic proposal detailing how our client could add high-margin short-format workshops to its roster. Within twelve months the school’s net revenue had increased by 20%.

Working cross-functionally within ZGF Architects to support of our clients, I’ve encountered numerous business challenges in the last five years. Eager to continue expanding my knowledge of strategic frameworks, I’m currently enrolled in Harvard Business School’s HBX program which includes coursework in Financial Accounting, Business Analytics and Economics.

It would be a pleasure to speak with you and learn more about your immediate needs as well as Bain’s work and culture.

Kind regards,

• MBA & EMBA
• The Story-Based Resume

Resume Before & After. Ex-Military Logistics Manager.*

Is an EMBA or Part-time MBA worth it?

How to find a new job or career path.*.

Resume Before & After. Project Manager.*

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

Thanks for requesting a free consultation. I’m looking forward to learning more about you when we chat!

I’ve just sent you a follow-up email. Look for a second email in the next 24 hours along with a google calendar invite scheduling our call. The time and day will be based on the availability you indicated in the form you just filled out.

– If you accept the Google calendar invite, I’ll consider the call confirmed. – If you prefer another day or time, please email me. I’m happy to reschedule.

My goal is for our conversation to be a powerful one for you. That’s why one of the first things I’ll ask you is What’s been on your mind? .

Best, Leah Derus

Need to get in touch? Please email [email protected]

Prefer to call or text? +1-646-627-9840

Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Bain & Company

Associate consultant.

I am applying for the Associate Consultant position at Bain & Company. Currently, I am a senior at X. Based on my coursework and previous Based on my coursework and previous work experience, I believe I would be an excellent fit for Bain's Associate Consultant position. My strong analytical skills, emphasis on teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit will help add value to the team. Each of these qualities is reflected in my prior experiences and academic achievements:

Analytical Skills: At W, I utilized my analytical skills in determining the adequacy of business plans for companies across various industries. Through careful consideration of the financial projections and the business model, I prepared reports for CEOs with recommendations about how to proceed with investor funding.␣

Emphasis on Teamwork: While working for Y, inc., I constantly improved my individual contribution to the team, as well as my ability to take a lead role when needed. In addition, teamwork has shaped my involvement in Alpha Kappa Psi by requiring me to work alongside the President and the executive board to challenge the status quo and ensure the successful execution of all chapter initiatives.␣

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Through my time at F, I have consistently sought opportunities to develop my own ideas and to challenge my thinking. One example of this can be exemplified by my internship experience at Y, inc. This experienced forced me to constantly go beyond the obvious, but also take the initiative to explore new areas of growth for the company. In developing my entrepreneurial spirit, I have learned the importance of hard work, dedication, and the persistence to think both creatively and analytically in order to achieve superior results. ␣

I have enclosed my resume for your review. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my background with you further in person. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Do I need a cover letter for Bain and BCG London?

For bcg the application form has space for one, and i’d say ~75% of people write at least something for jobs up to project leader level and ~30-40% after that other people often upload their cv twice. i’d lean towards writing one unless someone refers you (and that person writes a nice recommendation), i uploaded my resume twice and bain reached out.

Nice. Thank you!

Related Posts

Community Builder

What is Wow automation specialist? Is it same as AVP? Natwest group

Does anyone know if there’s a hiring freeze at Pinterest? I was interviewing there but haven’t heard anything in a couple of weeks

Two pending offers. One for ZS AC level 118k base 10k sign on and 10 percent end of year bonus. Or experience getting ZS to budge on compensation with an offer? Other for Capgem Sr Consultant level 130k base 5k sign on 6 percent end of year. Which do I go with? 🐠 help

Hi all, I have an interview tomorrow for KPMG with Director Final round, for software asset management role Can anyone advice what kind of questions they may ask???? Any advice will be appreciated.. thanks in advance..

How is Chubb client in CG for a .net developer? Capgemini Thanks in advance

Is there a possibility of getting selected in Google, if your experience is not in line with the posted job but you have the skillset required?

Is anyone have done with Capgemini interview for tableau developer??? Have any1 faced elevator issue???

Anyone know any details about the EY FSO performance improvement group?

Is it common for startups to basically bring everyone to the final round and then reject? Feels like the bar to get to final is not that high and then that’s where the selection truly happens

Does LTI pay the full variable annually? If not than what is the range in which the give the variable

Recently i have been offered a mid-senior leadership position at @6Sense and i have been trying to evaluate the offer against other offers. I have been trying to understand few things and any insights would be much appreciated Culture & Work Life Balance at 6Sense Other Benefits at 6Sense Decision Making and Strategization Revenue Stream Stability and Business Outlook for it's products in 2023-24

How much percentage on an average accenture pay as variable

BCG R2 from today...anyone hear back yet?

Hello Guys, Currently facing an issue in my Current Project, not sure about my Continuity, Just wanted to know whether I can get a new project if i am moving in to Bench as I am in Probation Period. Kindly pour some light on the Bench Policy in HCL.

I got selected in Wipro for C1. How much CTC i should ask for this role which contains 15 percent of variable. I m already having offer of 25.5 lpa which is fixed from Cognizant. Year of experience 9.1 years. What should be the higest package i should ask.

Hi fishes, I have applied to Accenture but not getting any calls. My teammates with same profile and experience are getting offers. Any idea what can I do to get calls or is there any other way to apply apart from there career site

Does Adobe provides travel allowances for daily commute?

I have worked as Data analyst and BI but companies are mistaking me for Data Science roles in interviews. How to tackle this?

Anyone worked at Red Herring?

I got a offer from Shell Bengaluru, And they mentioned it's Hybrid and depends on Team, so approx will it be mandatory 3 days work from office? Anybody working in Shell can help me understand please.

How bad are things getting at PwC when they're hunting for busy season contractors in January

Rising Star

I have to fly cross country in a few weeks. First time flying for this job (been here a year). I’m allowed to fly business if I want (im the GC). Company isn’t killing it financially right now. Price difference is about $2,500 and I’ve done coach plenty of times on this route at my old job (law firm). Would anyone say no to business class?

What's the craziest thing you've ever heard and manager or SM say to a staff or senior in front of the entire team?

Best office chair? My back is so angry with me.

What are everyone's thoughts on executive MBA vs. traditional MBA? I'm currently pursuing a traditional MBA but sometimes I wonder what could've been 😅

My last drink was me polishing off an expensive bottle of champagne on New Years. Tux on. In bed. It was a fitting farewell to booze. I’m thinking this could be a whole new thing for me. I’m certainly better off without it. I’m a bit worried about things opening up again. Parties. Travel. The roaring 20s. Got to keep up with the meditations and have plenty of proxies on hand.

So Hertz not having any bonus? The usual fall bonus?

Women fall jacket shops?

McK/Bain fish, do you guys get free leatherbound notebooks?

New ADs, have you added your first professional piece to your book? If you have, how long after you started did you have work to add?

i’m trying to get out of Florida and move back up to the northeast (philadelphia maybe). is it weird to try to connect w recruiters up north? i applied to a job a couple years ago out of state... cont

Consultants - need advice on how to get the "inside scoop" of a project (D, BAH, ACN etc). Knowing that satisfaction working for fed contracts in these firms are highly dependent on project and team. I've been searching around, no one seems to be asking lol (like hey interviewing for position for XXX project, what is it like?). So need advice on how to get the intel before making a project switch?

Do you get designated sick days or use PTO when you’re unwell?

I’m pretty sure I could not show up at work for at least a week and probably two weeks and no one would notice.

Has anyone relocated far away from their current employer during covid but held their position as full time remote? I’ve always wanted to move out of LA (especially due to housing $$), but don’t want to lose earning potential of the big city. Is this a chance to have it both ways?

Hi Fishes, Is it ok to accept a java developer job that uses legacy tech like java 7 and old versions without microservices. Exp- 3.2 years in testing I am looking for profile switch in development(java, spring boot, MySQL). Should I accept this offer? Thanks in advance.! Tata Consultancy HCL Technologies Accenture Wipro IBM Amazon

Lmao that's the goal! NY here also btw

🙂 Hi all! ACN is on a hiring spree. I’ve cracked the code to get my referrals through the interview process to get an actual offer. If you’re interested in joining ACN at a great time, msg me! 🚩

Tcs ibegin page is not accesible. It's saying page not found. And they have also postponed my DOJ from Dec to Jan.

Interested to try out American single malts. Any recs? 🙏

Additional Posts in All Things MBB

Are there any great perks for MBA sponsorship? Stipends, cost of living, etc? Is there a difference for 1 year or 2 year programs?

Had a networking call with a partner that said they won’t be interviewing until 2021 for lateral hires. Friend said that’s not entirely true, and to try networking with others in that same office. Don’t want to come across as pushy. If a Partner really liked me, couldn’t they make a push to interview me? 🤔

BCG folks - my interview process was interrupted by the pandemic in the spring. Would you recommend reaching out to the recruiter to see if it is possible to restart the process now? Or are things still pretty frozen for experienced hires at the PL level?

For those that work in McK NJ office. Is the official location the Summit one and the Jersey City a satellite one? Or are both equally available? Asking because JC is a short commute while Summit is a long trek, so I want to understand if I can just work from JC (my offer letter didn’t say anything).

What buckets would you generally use for cases?

Have 1 month to prep for M case interviews - what are your most recommended materials/case books/study sites? Any recommended prep timeline?

For anyone who has made the move from lek to mbb, have you felt the caliber of your direct managers are higher quality? Has this resulted in better hours or a more enjoyable experience / platform to learn?

What’s the comp (base + bonus) for the senior associate return offer for McK BAs who go to b-school?

McK fish: do y’all hire BA’s with 1 yoe?

Manager focusing on technology strategy & tech M&A, currently working on my MBA. Would it be easier for me to get into MBB if I apply to McKinsey Digital & BCG TA, or do I have an equal shot at the generalist tracks? McK Digital appeals the most, as I've heard you don't have to exclusively work on digital cases. McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group

I was told I have a Bain first round and they would be in touch within a month with more details. I haven’t heard anything since and have followed up. Seems unprofessional, is this common? Bain & Company

What are Bain and McKinsey's cool off period?

Reapplying to BCG at the Consultant level. Are certain offices or geographic locations hiring more than others?

Joining BCG in 2 weeks and starting in the PIPE ring fence. Was curious to know what hours and work were like? I know CDDs tend to mean longer hours but have also heard that some people have found good WLB?

Is it a bad time to interview with McKinsey during a bear market, or does it make no difference regardless the economy? Curious to know!

As a traditional consultant at McK can you work on studies or eminence at the McKinsey Global Institute?

@BCG Should I include a cover letter in my application?

Has anyone heard of a McKinsey Power Round?

Looking for some sincere advice. I absolutely bombed a case interview today. I’m defeated. I performed as well as someone with zero preparation after over a month of prep. I seem to always panic, I get disorganized, I’m flustered and lose sight of important relationships in cases. I feel like I need a complete overhaul. Any advice of what has worked to help you change your instincts? I care more about building up my skills and self improvement than I do about doing this for an interview. TIA

New to Fishbowl?

Enter work email

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Topics

• Do-i-need-a-cover-letter-for-bain-and-bcg-london
• Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
• Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
• Chat and network with other professionals in your field

Already a user? Login here

Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Download the Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry from the palm of your hand.

Scan your QR code to download Fishbowl app on your mobile

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

• Participate in safe communities with other verified professionals.
• Candidly discuss workplace matters in company exclusive channels and group chats.
• Flexible identity preferences allows honest conversations with other colleagues.

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

For account settings, visit fishbowl on desktop browser or.