I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Bain & Company in Nov 2014
Interview
CV and cover letter, then online tests. First round interview day in London: two 45 minute interviews. First was CV-based, with two ACs, and some market sizing questions. Second was very numerical, dozens of mental maths questions off-the-cuff, and business evaluation. I read Case in Point which was vaguely helpful, but the questions didn't fit any framework - they've read it too and deliberately make up questions you can't memorise answers for. Read Case in Point anyway, because there are some concepts they asked me about (e.g. define value for a business) that you'd need the business experience for. The guys in the first interview was nice, but I fell apart in the second one with two post-MBA interviewers. They weren't unpleasant, but they constantly push you for answers and the standard they expect is extremely high. Lots of people applying for AC were postgraduates or had some experience in interview - your average 21 year old would really struggle in that interview. Of course, they're not looking for average, they're looking for really bright and analytical prepared people who can go and advise company directors.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Draw a supply chain for a company.
Loads of quick-fire mental maths questions. Percentages of numbers, multiplication and division of 4 digit numbers, division by decimals. Be able to do these smoothly.
Three rounds of interviews, generally 2 rounds in person or remote with live consultants. Each round involves a 2-3 case interviews each, which generally also include a set of behavioural questions.
Drei Interviewrunden, je ein Interviewer: zwei englischsprachige Case Studies (Interviewer-geführt, strukturiert) sowie Personal Fit mit situativen Fragen ohne CV-Bezug - keine Angaben zu Praktika oder Uni gefragt. Stattdessen Reaktionsfragen à la „Wie würdest du in Situation XYZ reagieren?". Mit solider Vorbereitung nichts Unerwartetes. Alle Interviewer sehr freundlich und aufgeschlossen — angenehme, entspannte Atmosphäre throughout.
2 rounds of 3 interviews.
The first round includes a fit interview.
All interviews feel very relaxed, but they still expect you to move through the case fast and in a structured way.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you handle a client who is feeling anxious/fearful?