I worked at Bain in London, worked recruiting events and interviewed candidates. So this is the firm page I can say the most about, and also the one where I'll be most careful about what's my view and what's policy.
How the CV screen works
When I was applying, a Bain employee explained that Bain screens CVs with a points-based system, and that the difference between a 2:1 and a First was about one point [this was 2021, so check whether it still works this way]. Meanwhile volunteering, entrepreneurship and leadership roles each add points for every good position you hold.
The practical lesson is the same whatever the exact system is now: grades matter less than students think, and what you've done matters more. A 2:1 with three strong leadership entries can beat a First with none.
What I'd want to see on a Bain CV
- Leadership entries that are genuinely different from each other. A society you ran, a business you started, a team you captained. Three versions of the same thing don't add up to three.
- Numbers that show results. Bain is a results-focused firm and it shows in how people write. "Grew membership from 40 to 160" is the sentence shape that works.
- Interests that are real. Bain cares about people you'd want on a team. Someone will ask about your interests line.
The route in
| Programme | Who | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insight events | First- and second-years | |
| Associate Consultant Intern | Penultimate-years | The main route to an offer |
| Associate Consultant | Final-years | Full-time graduate role |
Preparing for interviews
When I got my interview invite, Bain paired me with a current associate consultant and we did two practice cases over weekends. One practice case with a real consultant was worth about five with other students. If the firm offers this, take it. If it doesn't, find someone from your university who works there and ask.
Bain has also put out its own videos of people casing, which I found really useful. Watch them before you do your first live case.