I’ll be interviewing for an associate position at BCG in the coming weeks. Any advice on how to handle the interview/cases and what behavioral questions they might ask? Serious responses only please

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My advice: focus less on the answer and more on being happy and friendly and sounding smart. They are evaluating if they want to work with you, not if you get the right answer.

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Cutthroat? Not at all, in my experience. Everyone was nice. Up and out? Definitely.

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Got fired for low perf. But honestly was about to quit. Didn't believe in many of the projects I was staffed on. But low N, so hard to generalize my experience.

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What I’m saying is that there is a specific demographic of person that typically makes it i.e survives at BCG and it happens to be white, males. It only takes looking at senior leadership of the firm (you can Google it) to see that.

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BCG1 how do you like working there? And is the work/life balance?

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Subjective judgment of superiors. I'm not sure what answer you are expecting to get by asking this question.

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By asking my question, I am trying to gain a better understanding of BCG’s culture. I think how a form evaluates employees speaks much about the culture and how “survival of the fittest” is facilitated.

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If you guys are applying here, I would also apply to McK. I’ve thought about lateraling there myself. My good friend works at McK and it sounds like a much better place for me with almost all the best parts of BCG.

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High performance at BCG is mostly a function of the leverage you provide. Ownership of the answer and process is expected quite early. Doing as told isn’t good enough— have to demonstrate thoughtfulness about the whole client situation and how your part of the answer fits. There is definitely an aspect of luck and favoritism, but it’s possible to play whatever hand you are dealt. Hardest part is the steep learning curve and unevenness of teammates

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Hi OP— I’m also at BCG and I‘ll say that while the people are nice, favoritism is definitely an issue in the evaluation process. I know a few people who’ve been buddy buddy with their managers (say from same B school) and thus been able to convince said managers to keep development issues off the official record. Surviving at BCG means knowing how to play the game and knowing how to do so early on.

I‘ll be honest and say that your basic demographics play a part (though BCG won’t admit this) but in general if you’re white and male, you’re most likely to survive at BCG than any other demographic. And if you’re black/hispanic female....you‘ll definitely have to work the hardest to overcome stereotypes already held by the mostly white, male project leaders/principals AND get the job right first time around because you get no benefits of the doubt.

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@c1 are you saying BCG is racist

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55 hours on average. We don't travel every week. People like vacations.

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Hours are so dependent, I’ve had cases of 40, cases of 80+. I’ve typically traveled every week since I’ve started

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I didn't enjoy it. I got fired after about a year. I don't regret it though.

^ what are you doing now, BCG1?

For me: Weekends are well protected, hours aren't horrible (like 50-60 billable), a few all nighters, mostly got 7 hours, felt very busy.

Was there a reason you got fired or just didn’t fit with the firm? How many hours a week were you working?

I'm unemployed, collecting transition bonus, and beginning to apply for jobs.

Is BCG as cut throat and up-and-out as people claim? Most peers from my school seem to last long at BCG, but I am curious to understand the culture. Decided to not move forward with an interview and give my new company a chance.

What qualifies one as a high performer at BCG?

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