Consultant (MBA/PHD)

If you’ve earned a PhD, or an MBA from a renowned Business School (in addition to your university degree) or if you’ve already gained some relevant professional experience, you’ll start your career in a Consultant position. Depending on your specific professional experience and individual strengths, there are several entry levels for this role. As a Consultant, you‘ll gain valuable experience in various industries and build significant management skills.

Together with your team, you’ll tackle complex entrepreneurial challenges. Within your client project, you’ll be responsible for a project modules – such as a competitive or cost analysis for a large corporation, the evaluation of a business plan, or the design and execution of workshops for client managers and/or staff.

As an alternative, we offer internships specifically for PhD and MBA, enabling you to familiarize yourselves with our firm and the consulting work.  

After two to three years of exciting project experience as a consultant, you typically become a manager. In this role, you will assume responsibility for entire projects and have the opportunity to significantly expand your leadership skills and lead teams.

We want you to be able to build a strong career for yourself while continuing to pursue your personal passions. That’s why we offer innovative hybrid work models – a combination of virtual collaboration and in-person meetings –, reduced travels, and numerous options to adapt your workday to your individual needs. For even more flexibility, we offer various leave options, opportunities for pro-bono consulting and a range of internal roles – as well as part-time work models and extended parental leave. To find out more, click here.

We are 1,200 Bainies in the DACH-area with 1,200 different personalities. Whatever makes you tick – at Bain we value you and your individual perspective on things. We know that good ideas thrive on diversity, and that cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, perspectives and orientations only matter in one way: by making each of us unique. We live an inclusive corporate culture and we actively fight any form of discrimination – be it in the application process or our day-to-day interactions. Find out more about our inclusiveness and diversity initiatives Here  

At Bain, we attach great importance to your personal development. From day one, your colleagues will support you in developing the steepest possible learning curve.

Formal and informal feedback and coaching
Along with intensive coaching and support from your team in everyday project work, you’ll regularly receive constructive formal feedback to optimally support your development.

Colleague
In addition, you will have a personal “colleague” by your side right from the start. This Bainie will help you to get to know Bain in the best possible way and is always available to exchange ideas.

Mentor
In addition, a consultant with experience accompanies you as your personal mentor and supports and advises you confidentially on any career-related questions.

We support you throughout your career at Bain & Company with an individual, globally oriented training program. At the beginning of your career at Bain, you start with an introductory training course lasting several days, which prepares you for everyday consulting work. Consultants without a business background are also given basic business knowledge in a special multi-day training course (FIT = Full Integration Training). This is how we ensure that you are perfectly prepared for your job - regardless of your academic background.

Our global training courses take place at various locations around the world. Together with international colleagues from other Bain offices, you will learn from international trainers. In addition, you can choose from a variety of individual, local training courses.

We are a global company in which national borders do not play a role. With our offices in over 35 countries and client companies around the world, you have limitless opportunities to gain international experience. Over 50% of our consultants are currently working internationally. As an Associate Consultant, you will experience global thinking and working at Bain up close - a large part of our projects involves stays abroad or international teams.

You have a particular passion for machine learning, digital customer experiences, or private equity? As a Bainie, after a certain period you’ll be able to join one of the respective practice groups – or, in Bain terminology, “Ring Fences” – including the following:

Advanced Analytics
You have practical experience with machine learning and wish to use your programming skills to solve strategic challenges? At Bain, consultants with that know-how can choose to focus on data-driven projects as part of a six-month rotation. Assisted by our Advanced Analytics Group, you’ll develop various machine learning models in fields such as customer segmentation or demand forecasting.

ADAPT
The Advanced Digital & Product Team (ADAPT) is Bain's powerhouse for new digital businesses and customer experiences. From the discovery of possible business ideas, to the validation of concrete customer offers using digital prototypes, to implementation and global market launch: ADAPT guides customers through all steps. In a team with the best innovation experts, designers and software developers, you will develop innovative business models and customer journeys. 

Private Equity
Bain is the world leader in private equity consulting. Would you like to learn from the best and advise different private equity clients along the entire life cycle of an investment? In due diligence projects, you support investors with the next deal and evaluate the target in terms of growth and profitability. In the Private Equity Ringfence you will benefit from an extremely steep learning curve in a very short time, experience a unique team spirit and be able to convince with your analytical skills.

Whether you choose to continue your career with Bain, or prefer to make a career move that will take you somewhere else: The strategy consulting experience, entrepreneurial spirit and diversified industry expertise you’ll have gained as a Bainie will make for a world-class profile that is recognized worldwide to be sought outside of Bain: Your experience in strategy consulting, your entrepreneurial spirit and the extensive industry expertise that you gain through your work at Bain & Company give you a world-class reputation.

As a proof in point, around half of the more than 1,000 alumni in Germany and Switzerland hold top management positions in business. As an extra asset, you’ll remain a life-long member of an influential network of ex-colleagues and clients.

Application process

You can apply for a job at Bain at any time throughout the year. For application please use our Online tool.In addition to your meaningful CV, you can also attach all relevant certificates of completion, internships and employment. A cover letter is optional. We will confirm receipt of your application immediately.

Your office preferences will be checked in the order of your priorities. If your office preferences are Germany or Switzerland, you will usually receive our response within two weeks of completing the online assessment. Should you also have selected international offices among your preferences, your application will be forwarded to those offices. In that case you’ll receive feedback from the office indicated most recently, so the response may be delayed somewhat. Please note that the selection criteria and cycles may differ in other countries.

Applicants who are completing an MBA at a renowned business school can find additional information on the application process on our global website and/or the respective school's website. Please observe your business school’s application deadlines, if applicable; otherwise, apply directly via our online platform. Applications are open all year. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the respective Bain office.

The recruiting day provides an opportunity to get to know each other and determine whether we’re a good fit, both professionally and personally. To learn more about you as a person and how you deal with different situations, we may ask you about specific points in your resume, or how you would handle certain work-related scenarios.

There’ll also be so-called case interviews, in which we discuss with you one or several cases from our project work: They help us get a feel for your creative, structuring, and problem-solving skills. Under interview preparation to find helpful tips and case examples. Another valuable source is our case interview community PrepLounge, where you can solve case studies in an interactive process.

After the interviews, you will receive immediate feedback from us. If the talks are successful, we will invite you to a second round of interviews with Bain partners. If these talks are also successful, you will receive an offer from us on the same day.

More questions? 

Recruiting contact

Germany:
Lea Quinten
E-mail: germany.recruiting@bain.com

Switzerland:
Nadine Husistein
E-mail: zurich.recruiting@bain.com