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Category: Interview Preparation Strategy for McKinsey, BCG, Bain
How to break into MBB from ZERO
Written by Dr. Sidi S. Koné
If I wanted to break into McKinsey, BCG, or Bain from zero… 
If I wanted to break into McKinsey, BCG, or Bain from zero… 

...and I had no contacts, no target school pedigree, and no clue where to start?

--> Here’s 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 what I’d do:

1. 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞.
Most candidates drown in recycled advice.
100-case milestones. Reddit strategy threads. Casebook “frameworks.”
All of it builds activity – not ability.

I’d delete all that.

And focus on one question:
→ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐌𝐁𝐁 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫?

Until I could answer that clearly, I wouldn’t touch another case.

---

2. 𝐌𝐚𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐁𝐁 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜.
Here’s what actually gets you in:
- Top-down problem solving – live, under pressure
- Synthesizing chaos into clarity – without sounding robotic
- Leading conversations – not following prompts
- Showing 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, not perfection

If your prep isn’t building these muscles, it’s wasted time.

---

3. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Not by spamming consultants with “Any advice?”
Not by begging for referrals.

I’d reach out like a peer – not a fan.

Here’s the message I’d send:

"Hi [Name], I saw your work on [transformation in the public sector] – especially the [X project] at [BCG] in [the Nordics] – and was genuinely intrigued.

Coming from a [policy] background and pivoting into strategy consulting, I found your take on [specific insight] especially sharp. It’s exactly the kind of thinking I’m trying to build.

I’d love to ask a couple of focused questions – especially around what traits or experiences tend to set people up for success at [BCG]. Would you be open to a quick 10-minute chat sometime this week?

Best,
[Your Name]"

Short. Smart. Specific.
That gets replies.
𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 > 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬.
4. 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲.
I wouldn’t do 100 cases.
I’d do 20 – and tear each one apart for hours!

For every case, I’d ask:
→ Did I solve the *real* problem – or just fill in boxes?
→ Did I lead the dialogue – or wait to be guided?
→ Was my synthesis actionable – or a data dump?

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 > 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬.

---

5. 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞.
Not a “former candidate.”
Not a peer who’s never interviewed anyone.

I’d find someone who’s interviewed inside McKinsey or BCG.
Who’s made hiring decisions.
Who can say: “This is exactly what the Partner is scanning for.”

That feedback is gold.
Everything else is noise.

---

Do this for ~3 months, and you won’t just be “ready.”
You’ll be 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧.

You’ll walk into final rounds with clarity most candidates never reach.

It’s not about more hours.
It’s about 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰.

That’s how people with no contacts get referrals.
That’s how non-targets land McKinsey.

That’s how real offers are won.

How we can help you break you into McKinsey, BCG, or Bain

If you, as an applicant at one of the big strategy consulting firms, would like to learn how to ensure success in your interviews with McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, then feel free to apply for a free initial consultation with us. In this free session we will find out whether we can help you, and if so, how we can help you to reach your goal of joining a firm like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain & Company. 

Within the last years, we have helped more than 350 people to receive job offers from the three MBB companies! On average, every single week, two of our clients are signing an employment contract with either McKinsey, BCG, or Bain.

About the author: 
Dr. Sidi S. Koné

Former Senior Engagement Manager and Interviewer at McKinsey & Company | Former Senior Consultant at BCG

About The MBB Offer Machine™

We help aspiring graduates, young professionals, and seasoned topic experts to ensure success in their job interviews with the world's most reputable Strategy Consulting Firms.

We place a special emphasis on "MBB":
  • McKinsey & Company
  • ​Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
  • ​Bain & Company

About the author: 
Dr. Sidi S. Koné

Former Senior Engagement Manager and Interviewer at McKinsey & Company | Former Senior Consultant at BCG

About the author: 
Dr. Sidi S. Koné

Former Senior Engagement Manager and Interviewer at McKinsey & Company | Former Senior Consultant at BCG
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