Boston Consulting Group was named the “best place to work” by Glassdoor in 2019 and Fortune magazine distinguished it as the third best place to work in 2014. So, it is no wonder many people are interested in learning how to get a job at BCG.
BCG is one of the most renowned consulting firms in the United States, but it also has 87 offices across 45 countries. The consulting firm offers many opportunities to grow, and the work environment is exceptional, according to its workers.
If you’re one of those who’d like to be part of the BCG community, this guide will be very helpful. Below is everything you need to know to get a job at BCG.
BCG: Company Background
BCG has been offering business solutions since 1963. Its founder, Bruce Henderson, came up with the idea of creating a consulting firm that offers world-class services.
BCG has developed two ideas that became canon business strategies for many other companies and ensure BCG’s success. These ideas are: time-based competition and the growth-share matrix.
BCG aims to help companies size and leverage emerging opportunities. Today, it is a widely-known company with about 21,000 employees worldwide.
What’s It Like to Work at BCG?
Working at BCG is very exciting and dynamic. It is one of the largest consulting firms in the country, so you must aim to give your best to get recruited.
Your managers expect high performance and quality from you as an employee. Below are some of the most relevant aspects of working with this consulting firm.
High-Performance Pace
This is a leading consulting firm, so you’re expected to give your highest performance. You’re expected to deal with highly reputable companies that require maximum productivity and quality. Therefore, you should aim to have a positive approach and give your best.
This doesn’t mean your managers are extremely demanding and are the types that you can’t reach out to in times of need. They want you to have the best performance, but you can share your ideas, limitations, and solutions with them.
Strong Problem-Solving Approach
At BCG, you should have logical thinking, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Remember that the most important aspect of any consulting firm is the way strategies are provided. With BCG, it’s the same. You should be able to identify problems and come up with innovative business solutions.
This notion applies to all levels of the company. You should become a problem-solver, regardless of what your role is as this is one of the major values of the company.
Multiple subcultures
BCG is a top firm with many offices. Each one of them has developed their own distinct culture inside the company, which happens when employees have a diverse background.
In other companies, you get the sense of being in the same community regardless of the office you’re working at. In BCG, you have to learn about the different subcultures in each office.
Getting a Job at BCG
You need to understand how consulting firms work and have a strategic mind to get a consulting job at BCG. Keep in mind that you’ll be solving all types of problems every day, so you should also have logical thinking and excellent communication skills.
You can land a job at BCG by taking an internship or by applying directly to the job. Don’t feel bad if you’re just graduating from university and still have no experience in the field. According to Tina Gao, a BCG principal working in Washington D.C., one of the company’s preferred places to recruit potential workers is at top university campuses.
You should send a cover letter and showcase your skills with your portfolio. Once the recruiters have decided you’re a good candidate, they’ll set up a meeting with you.
If everything goes well, they might hire you for an entry-level associate position. Later on, you can scale to become a consulting member of the team, and eventually become a full-time project leader.
You don’t need to have a bachelor’s degree related to management and consulting, and you certainly don’t have to come from a business school. Any career experience will be relevant to the company, from computer science to chemistry or even poetry. However, keep in mind that you should have at least a bachelor’s degree.
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at BCG?
BCG consulting firm is highly reputable. Therefore, their hiring expectations are very high. They like to have the most prepared and exceptional professionals in their firm. That’s why spending time to prepare for an interview with BCG hiring managers is crucial.
The interview is generally challenging for people who have never gone through one, especially when the recruiting process at BCG takes up to three months.
Applying for a Job at BCG
You need to have curiosity and be constantly open to learning new things before even applying for a job position at BCG. Keep in mind that you should create an impressive CV to help you stand out from other candidates.
Remember that portfolio we mentioned? You can use your school programs and academic projects to showcase your skills, even if you’re just graduating from school and have no work experience.
Entry-level positions at BCG require you to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. For associates, you’d only need a bachelor’s, while for a consulting position you’d need an MBA or master’s degree.
However, you don’t have to wait until you have your specialization to start working at BCG. The company is opened to pay for two years of education while also providing you with a living stipend.
BCG Application and Interview Process
The interview lasts about 45 minutes. The first section of the BCG fit interview involves behavioral questions so you express how you managed certain situations and how you used your skills to find solutions.
The second part is the case interview. Here, a recruiter will provide you a problem for you to solve. The recruiter will also show you charts and analytics to assist you in solving these problems.
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Try to ask the right questions. This will show your interest in working with the company. Remember to do some research before attending the interview, including about the position you are applying for. A great question to ask is “how does success look in this position?” and “how can I measure it?” Salary-related questions are fair, but try not to guide the conversation around them.
If you’ve mastered the interview and hiring managers are impressed with your CV, it’s probable that they’ll call you in to proceed with the hiring process.
BCG Career Opportunities: Job Titles and Descriptions
The career opportunities at BCG are varied. The company requires a widely-diverse community of professionals from different backgrounds. Check BCG’s career page to check for vacancies.
Data Science
- Salary: $107,000
- Benefits: Career development, tuition reimbursement, healthcare coverage
- Level: High
- Required experience: 2 years
- Required education: Higher education
These types of consultants educate clients about data science fundamentals and principles. It’s also their responsibility to build the clients’ analytics skills. Data Science consultants help customers make better business decisions.
Marketing and Communications
- Salary: Up to $100,000
- Benefits: Paid maternity, career development, tuition reimbursement, healthcare coverage
- Level: High
- Required Experience: 5 years
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or marketing
Digital marketing consultants are very much in demand these days. BCG is currently recruiting a web content marketer for their digital operations.
The role includes activities like creating a content strategy, hiring content talent, optimizing current articles with search engine optimization (SEO) methods, creating content for blogs, and developing editorial calendars.
Finance
- Salary: Up to $64,000
- Benefits: Paid maternity, career development, tuition reimbursement, healthcare coverage
- Level: High
- Required Experience: 1 year
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
Finance is another very in-demand career in BCG. Financial teams are part of a growing community in this firm. The role of a finance assistant includes the following activities: time and billing system management, managing business analytics tools like Tableau and Alteryx.
To get this job, you’ll need to have analytical proficiency and also excellent communication skills. Since this is a very dynamic job, you need to be able to work at a fast-pace and work under pressure. You would also often be required to multitask and meet tight deadlines.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at BCG?
It takes a curious and innovative mind to get a job at BCG. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but be smart and do your research beforehand. The company wants to know whether you understand the dynamic it involves and how the company works.
Try to make your experience count and share all the relevant projects you work on. Yet, you should keep it concise. You can expand your experience in the interview. In fact, they’ll require you to do it.
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