FAQs

• This is Bain

  + How large is Bain?
  

  Bain has over 5,000 employees (3,500 consultants) working in 48 countries.

  + Does Bain have plans to open any new offices?

  Yes, we have plans to continue to expand our global network. We opened Dubai, Frankfurt, Kyiv, and Moscow in 2007, Buenos Aires and Copenhagen in 2008, Oslo and Mumbai in 2009, Houston in 2010, Perth, Rio de Janeiro and Istanbul in 2011, Warsaw in 2012 and Washington DC in 2013. We will continue to build the scope and scale we need to help our global clients achieve results.

  + How does business mix differ according to office location?

  Bain has worked with 4,900 major multinational and other corporations, worldwide. We work with a broad mix of global 1,000, mid-size and small companies, private equity firms, and non-profits. There is a wide variety of work in all offices, and the mix tends to change over time. Each office focuses on developing a core client base in its local/regional area. This may, at times, skew an office toward certain industries more representative of the region.

  + What association does Bain Capital have with Bain & Company?

  Bain Capital was formed as a separate entity in 1984 by former Bain consultants to further leverage Bain's results creation capability. Bain Capital is a venture capital company; it is not a sister company nor a division of Bain. It is a completely separate company with no sharing of management or information. What it shares is a common approach to the challenges of our clients to deliver extraordinary results. Bain consultants cannot do short-term transfers at Bain Capital. Full-time positions at Bain Capital require a separate application and interview process. Please contact Bain Capital directly for more information: http://www.baincapital.com.

  + What type of work is done in the Private Equity Group (PEG)?

  Our PE dedicated teams primarily assist PE firms with strategic due diligence. The work we do with portfolio companies post-acquisition is typically handled by our general practice teams - the nature of such work is not significantly different from our strategy and performance improvement work. Our PE dedicated teams also work with PE firms on developing fund strategies, screening sectors and companies to invest in and planning exits (including IPOs and sales to strategic buyers).

  Due diligence cases are approximately 3-6 weeks in duration (versus 3-6 months for a typical Bain case). The staffing approach is also different due to the intensity and shorter duration of PEG assignments: consultants are typically staffed to our dedicated PE teams for a six month rotation.

  + Does every office have a Private Equity Group?

  All Bain offices do work in private equity. The following offices have dedicated PE teams: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Munich, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Toronto.

• A Bain Career

  + What do associate consultants do?

  Associate consultants work as members of case teams, in roles that vary by the team's objective and the individual's demonstrated level of performance. They are typically responsible for identifying information sources, gathering and interpreting data, performing analysis, and presenting the findings to their case team and the client. Other responsibilities include interviewing the client's customers, competitors, suppliers and employees, as well as other Bain employees with relevant experience. As associate consultants become strong contributors to their teams, they gain additional client contact and greater responsibility. Please review the associate consultant page for more information on our flexible career path.

  + How do consultants get assigned to projects?

  A staffing coordinator works closely with you to help match your interests with the staffing needs of the organization. Your ability to work on specific clients or with specific industries will depend on availability and your personal development needs. Consultants are encouraged to experience a broad spectrum of project types, such as corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, across a broad range of industries. If a consultant wants to develop a deeper experience in a given practice area, then the staffing coordinator will work to give the consultant a mix of opportunities both within the specific area of expertise and outside the area for breadth.

  + Can I specialize in an industry?

  Our focus is on developing consultants to possess an invaluable general manager perspective. This requires consultants to work across industries early in their careers, on a variety of business issues. We are flexible and our staffing model is interactive; if a consultant wants to work in a particular industry, we will work with him or her to help accommodate that interest. At about 4-5 years (senior manager level), our people begin to spend the majority of their time in their industry of interest.

  + Are there opportunities to transfer to other offices?

  The professional development of the consulting staff is further enhanced by a managed process of cross-office transfers. As business needs change, opportunities exist for consulting staff members to transfer either temporarily or permanently to other Bain offices. Temporary transfers typically last for six months. In addition to providing professional development for the Consultant, transfers are one of many ways that Bain facilitates knowledge-sharing across offices.

  Transfer opportunities are available to consulting staff that are in good standing with regard to performance and are dependent on business needs in both the "home office" and the transfer office. Transfers require language skills sufficient to work effectively in the new office.

  + Where do associate consultants go after Bain?

  The opportunities that are available to departing ACs are tremendous. Our acceptance rate at Harvard and Stanford Business Schools are several times their average acceptance rates, and the jobs that associate consultants take after Bain tend to be highly selective, interesting, and often lucrative opportunities. Approximately 40% of the associate consultants we hire go directly to business school. The majority of associate consultants go to the top business schools, including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and INSEAD. Approximately 25% of departing ACs go to another type of graduate program—typically law or medicine. Those that leave for other jobs often join a private equity firm like Bain Capital or other corporate or nonprofit ventures.

  + Does Bain financially support associate consultants who want to leave and study towards an MBA or other graduate degree?

  Although it is not required, most of our associate consultants have aspirations to attain further education. For strong performers who demonstrate potential for long term success, Bain supports the pursuit of an MBA degree or other relevant graduate degree in the form of an offer to return to the firm after graduation. Upon the employee's acceptance of the offer, tuition reimbursement is provided for two years of school.

  + How does Bain's work/life balance life work?

  Consulting is a demanding career and not for everyone; we work hard at Bain. We strive to attract, develop and retain top talent who are passionate about making a profound impact. In order to do so, we offer valuable options that will help to ensure that you have long-lasting, fulfilling career and many chances to follow your varied interests and passions.

  Offices offer tactics to address work/life balance, which may include a part-time work schedule, leave of absence or take-two (a one time, unpaid two month LOA), rotations into internal roles (e.g. staffing officer, practice area manager), international transfers or externships, tracking hours and case team surveys.

  + How much do Bain consultants travel?

  Bain's focus is on doing what it takes to get client results. In planning client visits, as in all other aspects of our work, Bain tries to serve the client in the best way possible. As a result, travel demands vary considerably by office. Depending on where you are in the Bain system, you could be traveling very little or fairly predictably on a weekly basis depending on the client situation. Strategy work may require relatively lower travel than, for example, change management cases in an intensive phase.

  + What is the compensation structure like in consulting?

  Compensation is competitive with other top tier strategy firms. The compensation package includes base salary, performance bonuses and an equity compensation award. We also provide new members of the consulting staff with signing bonuses and relocation expense reimbursement.

  + How are case teams typically structured?

  While all case teams are different, a "typical" team might have two partners, a manager, two consultants and two associate consultants. This high mix of associate consultants is unique to Bain among major strategy consulting firms. The AC plays a critical role on the team—often leading the thinking for key pieces of work. This model is successful because we have found that if we create a challenging and supportive environment, the people we hire will thrive and rise to meet the tasks presented to them.

• Apply to Bain

  + What is Bain looking for in a candidate?

  We're looking for top-ranking graduates of the world's leading universities and colleges with outstanding academic, interpersonal and leadership credentials. Diversity of perspective and experience are also highly valued. Success at Bain & Company requires an exceptional combination of abilities:

  • Motivation for learning and solving difficult business issues
  • Desire to work together with the client to implement solutions which translate into lasting results
  • Enthusiasm to work as part of a Bain team to solve our client's most pressing problems
  • Interpersonal skills required to communicate effectively with both team and client
  • Analytical skills to back every recommendation with objective, rigorous, fact-based data
  • Creativity to develop breakthrough strategies that fall "outside the box"

  + What is the best way to submit an application? What should I include when applying?

  All applicants must submit an application using the online application, indicating the position of interest in geographic preferences. Undergraduate candidates may be required to submit an application through their career services office as well. Please check your school's page for specific information.

  When applying online, you will be asked to include your resume, cover letter and geographical preference(s). You do not need to submit a hard copy of your materials if you are applying online.

  + Do I need to apply to each office?

  No. When submitting your application and resume on joinbain.com, you will be prompted to input your office preference(s). Please enter up to three offices for which you would like to be considered. Your application will then be forwarded to the office(s) of your choice.

  + Does Bain hire foreign nationals to work in its US offices?

  All incoming US employees must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the US within their first three days of employment. Bain will support the application process for an H1 visa, allowing a foreign national to work in the U.S., but the firm cannot guarantee that this application will be approved. We will interview candidates regardless of whether or not they currently have permission to work in the U.S.

  + What if I'm interested in working in one of Bain's international offices?

  Bain does hire employees in the US who are interested in working in a foreign office. The visa requirements are similar to those in the U.S. Potential applicants must therefore consider the likelihood of their being granted work authorization in the foreign country. In non-English speaking countries, new employees must be fluent in the local language. Should you meet these criteria, indicate your office preference(s) in your application and/or cover letter. A local office may conduct the first rounds of interviews with candidates interested in foreign countries, and then pass appropriate candidates on to the other office for final rounds of interviews.

  + Can the recruiting process be expedited if I already have an exploding offer?

  In certain circumstances, the recruiting process can be modified to accommodate the needs of a candidate. This is typically the exception and not the rule. If you have been selected to interview, accommodations may be made to interview earlier in the recruiting cycle. Contact the office recruiting coordinator if and when this situation occurs.

  + How many associate consultant/consultant hires are you looking to make?

  Hiring targets are generated by each office based upon the anticipated business needs for the coming year, current size of the consulting staff and office growth plans. Targets are simply guidelines that may increase or decrease depending upon the quality of candidates applying.

  + If I am interested in applying for a position with The Bridgespan Group or Bain Capital, should I apply with Bain for positions at these firms?

  No. If you are interested in opportunities with The Bridgespan Group or Bain Capital, please contact these firms directly and follow the appropriate process established by these firms.

  + Which offices are offering 2013 SA and ACI programs?

  Summer associates:

  • SA positions are available in most of Bain's offices around the world; however, the following offices will not be offering SA programs this summer: Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, and Warsaw.
  • The timing of the Mumbai and New Delhi SA programs do not coincide with the North American school calendar. Students interested in the SA position in these offices should visit the local office pages for more information.

  Associate consultant interns:

  • ACI positions are available in most of Bain's offices around the world; however, the following offices will not be offering ACI programs this summer: Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, Perth, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, and Warsaw. Please visit each office's page for more information.

  + Are internships paid or volunteer?

  Our internship program is typically a 10-week, paid program. Interns work on cases alongside members of the full-time consulting staff and are expected and encouraged to fulfill the same expectations. Benefits packages are not available for interns.