Recruiting Timelines
Application season is almost here! If you are planning to apply to consulting jobs or internships for summer 2024, you’ll find useful recruiting timelines, guidance for preparing and helpful tips for interviewing below.
Through our connections with employers, we have continued to collect the latest deadlines and updates to keep you IN THE KNOW.
MOST FIRMS PLAN TO RECRUIT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL.
Most consulting firms report plans to recruit for internships or full-time positions starting in early summer pushing into the fall, consistent with timelines in the past few years.
While exploring the options available at firms, you may decide that exploring an opportunity at a boutique consulting firm may be a better fit for you. Don’t hesitate to check out some additional information on this path. In your research you may come across the acronym “MBB”, which stands for McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Bain. These three firms have shared the following timelines with us.
MCKINSEY
McKinsey has announced the following deadlines:
2024 Business Analyst — July 14, 2023
Summer Business Analyst — August 30, 2023
Sophomore Summer Business Analyst — September 29, 20223
Full-time McKinsey Applicants
Their Columbia recruiting page has recommendations about when to apply. In short, they are flexible, but encourage full-time applicants to apply TBA or a secondary date of TBA.
Learn about the interview process and stay up-to-date with deadlines and events on their Columbia recruiting page, where you can also see educational programs over the summer to learn about their different practice areas.
BCG
Boston Consulting Group opened the 2024 applications for full-time associate, summer associate and Growing Future Leaders Sophomore Internship Program positions.
Please keep in mind that if you are applying for full-time or summer roles, you may only apply FOR ONE JOB APPLICATION for the same role per recruiting year.
Also, stay up-to-date with deadlines and events on their Columbia recruiting page.
Graduating Dates between December 2023 - July 2024
One Deadline: June 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET
Graduating Dates between December 2023 - June 2024
Deadline: April 3, 2023 at 11:59PM ET — This deadline is encouraged to be used by those who anticipate having a competing offer or a summer conflict.
Encouraged Deadline: June 28, 2023 at 11:59PM ET
Deadline: September 13, 2023 at 11:59PM ET
Graduating Dates between December 2025 - June 2026
If you are graduating during the above timeframe and identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native American/Alaska Native BCG will be accepting applications for Growing Future Leaders Sophomore Internship Program on August 1, 2023 with a deadline on September 6, 2023.
BCG Launch is a virtual program that provides current undergraduates an inside look into the skills and knowledge needed for the exciting and challenging path to becoming a BCG associate.
BAIN
Bain recently posted their application for internship and full-time positions, with the following deadlines for Columbia students (updated June 1):
Graduating Dates between December 2023 - June 2024
Deadline: June 25, 2023
Graduating Dates between December 2023 - June 2024
Deadline 1: June 25, 2023
For more events including coffee chats and case preparatory workshops, sign up options for the undergraduate Bain Buzz email newsletter and webinars focused on an overview of Bain’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Practice visit the Bain Columbia recruiting page.
Tips From Your Career Counselors
How to Stay up to Date
Here are some ways to stay up to date on recruiting for your firms of interest:
Do an online search to see if the firm has a Columbia-specific recruiting page, and if so, bookmark it.
From that page, or the company’s Handshake profile, make note of any specific recruiter information. Got questions for that person that aren’t answered on the website? You can reach out—that’s why they’ve made their information available.
Make a profile on the firm’s careers page or student careers page and sign up for alerts about the type of position you’re seeking. Some firms will only post on their own website, so this is a must!
Follow the firm on your social media channel of choice. This will help you hear about recruiting news and keep up-to-date on what the firm is promoting.
Favorite and follow the firm on job boards like Handshake, so you see if they post on Handshake, are participating in on-campus interviewing, or coming to Columbia recruiting events in the fall.
Be sure to have a consulting internship or job alert set up on LionSHARE to catch new postings from firms not on your radar.
Interview Prep
Each consulting firm has its own application process, but you can often expect three types of interviews:
Behavioral: These interviews seek to learn about your interest in the role and the experience you have that’s transferable to the role. McKinsey, for instance, is known for their unique version of the behavioral interview, the Personal Experience Interview. Here are some sample behavioral interview questions you can use to practice.
Case: These interviews seek to understand how you approach a business problem, by presenting you with a business scenario and asking you to walk the interviewer through your approach to it. They test your thinking, communication skills, and adaptability. Learn more about case interviews.
Cognitive Ability: These online assessments aim to learn about how you think, without requiring prior business knowledge. For instance, if you apply to a BCG office in the US you’ll be invited to complete a 25-minute, game-based pymetrics assessment within 48 hours of receiving the invitation.
6 Tips for a Successful Application and Interview
It’s okay if you don’t have prior consulting experience! Consulting firms are interested in candidates who have an interest in business and skills like structured thinking, clear communication, teamwork and leadership, and adaptability. Think about how your experience uniquely prepares you for consulting—firms want to know! Use these sample resumes as a guide to learn how to articulate your experiences.
Start networking now to build a few quality connections. Check out tips from consulting professionals and learn how to connect with Columbia alumni.
Don’t wait! After applications open, consulting firms often review applications and select candidates on an ongoing basis. So, try to apply as soon as you are ready!
As companies express more and more interest in returning to campuses, you should be prepared for in-person and virtual interviewing. To prepare for virtual interviews, check out our tips on virtual and phone interviews, read through recommendations and tips on firm websites, and practice using Big Interview. To prepare for an in-person interview, you can schedule a 30-minute practice interview session with a CCE career counselor. CCE can also help you practice for virtual interviews.
Take advantage of the many free resources available for case prep directly from firms and from consulting-focused websites, like Management Consulted’s prep guide. Connecting with students or those in your network can also be helpful in gaining insight into their experiences with case interviews and tips they may have to offer. Check out some of these student-sourced tips on consulting interviews.
If you’re pressed for time, you don’t have to do a million cases. Be smart about your case prep approach.