BCG case interviews dont have to be complicated. Over the years, we’ve come up with a simple, step-by-step way to answer the question “What are case interviews like at BCG?” and arrive at the answer “I am sure I can get a job at BCG.”
We’ve helped more than 30,000 people get ready for consulting interviews. This guide will help you get ready for your BCG case interviews by highlighting the most important things you need to know.
If you have an interview lined up with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), landing a job as a consultant is within your reach. BCG is one of the most prestigious management consulting firms known for its intense recruiting process.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common consultant interview questions asked at BCG and provide sample answers to help you ace your upcoming interview
Why BCG Wants to Hire You
Before getting into the specifics of the questions, it’s important to know what BCG looks for in new consultants:
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Strategic thinking BCG needs people who can analyze complex business problems and develop creative solutions
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Leadership ability: Consultants often lead client initiatives and manage teams. BCG wants strong leadership skills.
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Communication skills: From presenting to executives to building consensus, communication is vital.
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Passion for consulting: BCG looks for intrinsically motivated professionals who thrive on challenge.
With these priorities in mind, let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions:
BCG Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral questions test your interpersonal skills and professional values. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when framing responses.
1. Why do you want to work at BCG?
BCG wants to see you have passion for the firm specifically, not just consulting generally. Show you’ve researched the firm and connect your values to BCG’s culture.
Sample Answer: I’m excited by BCG’s collaborative culture and want to work alongside such talented colleagues. BCG prides itself on supporting employee development, which aligns with my priority of lifelong learning. Most importantly, BCG’s dedication to driving social impact resonates with my vision of using business to affect positive change.
2. Tell me about a time you exercised leadership.
BCG needs consultants who can lead client initiatives and manage teams. Share a story that conveys your leadership skills.
Sample Answer: As president of my university’s consulting club, I led a team of 10 to organize a national case competition. I motivated members, provided mentorship, and managed logistics. Under my leadership, we increased club membership by 25% and placed 2nd nationally – the best result in the club’s history. This exemplifies my ability to lead teams to success.
3. Describe a time when you solved a challenging analytical problem.
Analytical aptitude is essential for solving complex business problems. Share an example that required strategic thinking.
Sample Answer: For a past consulting project, I was tasked with developing a market entry strategy for a client expanding into Southeast Asia. I researched competitive dynamics and industry trends, identified target customer segments, and performed scenario analysis. I synthesized insights into an innovative phased entry plan tailored to the client’s risk profile and resource constraints. This project demonstrates my ability to analyze ambiguous problems and translate data into actionable strategies.
4. Tell me about a time you were under high pressure. How did you cope?
Consulting often involves tight deadlines and high stakes. Discuss a pressure-filled situation and how you overcame challenges through resilience.
Sample Answer: As an analyst, I was once asked to develop 20 client presentations overnight before a tight deadline. I stayed calm, planned my time, and worked efficiently without compromising quality. I met the deadline through focus, organization, and having confidence in my abilities. This shows I thrive under pressure by leveraging my time management and composure.
5. When have you gone above and beyond expectations?
BCG wants high achievers who exceed expectations. Share an example showcasing your commitment and drive.
Sample Answer: For one consulting project, our team’s scope was strictly defined. However, I took the initiative to conduct extra competitor research in my free time. I analyzed their positioning and pricing strategies, well beyond our mandate. My additional insights enabled our client to modify product features to effectively differentiate against competitors. This exemplifies how I proactively expand my impact.
BCG Fit Interview Questions
Fit questions assess your fit with BCG’s values and culture. Use specific examples to back up your points.
6. How would your friends describe you?
BCG looks for team players who build strong relationships. Share positive personality traits and what makes you a good colleague.
Sample Answer: My friends would describe me as outgoing, reliable, and supportive. I love collaborating with others, whether it’s in professional or social settings. As a friend, I’m responsible and deeply value relationships. I think my warmth and dependability are qualities that allow me to connect with all types of people.
7. Tell me about a time you influenced someone without authority.
Consultants must influence clients without formal authority. Discuss a situation where you used persuasion and negotiation skills.
Sample Answer: When organizing a conference, I needed to convince academic guests to speak without compensation. I researched each professor’s background and personalized my pitches to emphasize how the event aligned with their interests and values. My understanding of their motivations enabled me to secure 10 high-profile speakers. This exemplifies my ability to enlist support and influence outcomes.
8. Why do you want to pursue consulting over other opportunities you have available?
BCG wants to hire people passionate specifically about consulting. Articulate why you are attracted to the consulting lifestyle, challenges, and opportunities.
Sample Answer: Consulting aligns with my interests in problem-solving, analysis, and strategic planning. The client diversity, complex challenges, and collaborative culture also appeal to me. Most importantly, I’m motivated by the massive positive impact BCG drives for clients and society as a whole. Consulting offers unparalleled experiences I could not get in other roles at this stage of my career.
9. How do you manage working with colleagues you don’t get along with?
BCG needs you to work cohesively across cultures and personality types. Discuss your conflict management approach.
Sample Answer: I believe in maintaining professionalism, respect, and honesty when navigating difficult colleagues. I aim to find common ground and focus our shared goals. If tensions persist, I would have a discreet yet direct conversation to acknowledge issues and find solutions. I always collaborate constructively, even amid disagreement. This mindset allows me to develop rapport across diverse working styles.
10. Where do you see your career in 5 years?
BCG wants driven individuals who aspire to grow in responsibility over time. Articulate your long-term vision and fit with BCG’s career development.
Sample Answer: In 5 years, after gaining experience across different practice areas, I hope to transition into a client-facing project leader role with ownership over engagement strategy and delivery. Long-term, I aspire to become a partner at BCG, continuing to tackle complex strategic challenges for clients while mentoring junior colleagues. BCG’s career model aligns well with my passion for continuous learning.
Takeaways for Your BCG Interview
With preparation and practice using real interview questions, you can showcase your problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and motivation for consulting. Use the STAR method to craft compelling stories and tie your background directly to BCG’s competency needs. You’ll be ready to impress your BCG interviewers and receive an offer for an exciting career in consulting.
4 Tip #2: Lead the case
Another important thing about BCG candidate-led cases is that the interviewer will want you to be in charge of the case. This is why BCG cases are often called “candidate-led” cases. After you present your framework to your interviewer they won’t tell you what to do. They will expect you to take the lead and to suggest a next step.
This can be surprising at first, if not intimidating. However, there is a very simple way of dealing with this. Every time you answer one of your interviewer’s questions you should essentially suggest a next step.
When you’re done with your framework, for example, you should say something like, “To sum up, I think we should look into revenues and costs to solve this problem.” As a next step, my suggestion is to analyse revenues in more detail. I understand revenues have been going down. Could you tell us more about how fast that drop happened and how it affected the different products the company makes?”
By suggesting a next step and asking for more information, you are taking a lead on the case. Interviewers are instructed to be well-intentioned. They will push you in a different direction if you get stuck or aren’t on the right path.
Part 3: BCG fit and PEI questions
In addition to case interviews you will also get behavioural interview questions at BCG. There are two types of behavioural questions you should be aware of:
- Fit questions (~66% of questions). These are questions like “Why consulting?” or “Why BCG?”. Their goal is to see if you are a good fit for the company.
- Personal Experience Interview (PEI) questions (~34% of questions). This type of question is like “Tell me about a time when you were in charge” or “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with uncertainty.” They want to see if you have the “soft skills” that make a good consultant.
Lets step through the top 5 fit questions first and then the top 5 PEI questions. The percentages we are sharing below come from analysing data for BCG interviews on Glassdoor.com.
[2022] Pass the BCG Interview | Boston Consulting Group Video Interview
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