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Boston Consulting Group: the guide

BCG's published stages (application, skills interview, case interview, team interview), its online assessments by country, and its five core competencies.

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What strong candidates can do

  • Understand how interviews typically run at Boston Consulting Group, and what varies by office
  • Know what each stage is designed to test
  • Follow a preparation plan for this firm

How it positions itself

Strategy and large transformation programs, with a stated focus on integrity, curiosity, creative thinking, collaboration, and drive in the people it hires.

Case style (as commonly reported; varies by office)

Candidate-led

Common questions

How does Boston Consulting Group interview candidates?

Boston Consulting Group tends to run candidate-led cases, where you are expected to drive the analysis. There is also a fit or experience interview. BCG says its interviews include a behavioral part, and its skills interview explores your experience, skills, and motivation for joining BCG. Expect questions on why consulting and why BCG, and prepare specific examples for each of its five core competencies. Processes vary by office, role and year, so confirm the steps in your invitation.

What does Boston Consulting Group look for in candidates?

Commonly reported priorities: Integrity; intellectual curiosity; creative thinking; collaborative mindset; drive.

How should you prepare for Boston Consulting Group?

Practice timed online cases in a chat-style format, including a one-minute spoken summary. Practice leading a case: propose a structure, ask for the data you need, and move the case forward. Practice reading charts and doing calculations quickly and accurately. Prepare specific examples for each BCG competency: integrity, curiosity, creative thinking, collaboration, and drive. Check the BCG careers page for your country for the assessments and deadlines that apply to you.

Go deeper

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