McKinsey & Company Fortunate to have offers from both McK and BCG. Can anyone kindly advise on how to choose between them? From speaking to people at both, I have a slight preference for BCG’s culture/vibe, but McK brand value/alumni support is swaying me too Boston Consulting Group McKinsey & Company
If you have a preference to BCG go with your gut. A longer and more successful stint will do more for your CV than McK brand value. So choose where you think you can be most successful.
Forget your gut, there’s a reason it’s called MBB and not BMB of BBM. McK always comes first!
Pro
In London, go for BCG. McKinsey aren’t doing well here at all and BCG pays more
Second this
Big congrats!!
The challenge with the concept of culture at such large consulting firms is that ultimately it is very team dependent. Every new project means new people and a different culture. Of course there’s differences in culture between McK and BCG and you might be more suited to one, but I’d argue there can be more of a difference between practices within BCG or McKinsey than between the two.
So making the choice purely based on the vibe you got at some offer holder drinks / interviews (where sadly McK also invests less because they sit on their laurels a bit) is a bit disingenuous.
McKinsey still carries a large brand premium / aura of prestige; outside of the circles it is a lot more known still.
For what it’s worth I’ve been at McKinsey for over 2 years and sure there are challenges and I’ve seen them but I’m happy so are a lot of others. There are truly unique things about McKinsey such as the truly global staffing, fast progression (especially those joining as BAs) and overall the feeling you can shape your career in so many direction if you’re a strong / above average consultant
I think you can go to BCG and have a very good time and you can’t go wrong with either, but I’d really do my research before picking the “less obvious” choice
Go for BCG; it’s been more successful/ resilient as a business over the past 3-4 years compared to McK
BCG seems to be doing better and pays better. But, far more importantly, it will never give you the pleasure of telling your family and friends you work at McKinsey and seeing their reactions😍
BCG for sure
Not that big of a difference, I do think McK brand remains stronger but having culture fit is more important.
That being said, who knows who you’ll be working with.
Happy DM, but anyone who gives you a clear cut answer is probably not giving you the straight indifference
Don’t forget the auto-PL at 2 yrs at BCG vs having to play the role before being designated EM at McKinsey (albeit this has moved to a monthly cycle from twice yearly)
Not in London afaik
Ive always found culture/vibe to depend more on office/country/team/industry and highly variable within McK. So im sure you can find what you want in either.
McK is once again the kind of competitive, perfectionist up or out company, I like that kind of thing so that works for me. If you have a similar mindset you will thrive.
Pro
If you know the practice you will work in try to meet some more of those people and make your decision based on the people you will work with. Exit options will be comparable and dependent on sector/capability.
Thank you all for the helpful responses - this has been really useful so much appreciated!