Does anyone know what type of case study Bain go for mostly in their interviews? Falling profits, new products/markets, M&A? Any general tips for Bain? I've got the 1st round coming up soon.
Jamie,
You pretty much covered all of the main areas that you will be tested on. I'd add market sizing and guestimates as well to your list. Just make sure that you know all of the business frameworks that you'd apply to the business case and know when it is appropriate to apply them (i.e. Porter's Five Forces to determine attractiveness of market or product for movement into new markets or disposing or potential non-core assets). So long as you know Porter's 5 forces; Five P's; Four C's; Five C's; Seven S's; Value Chain analysis; Principle on Sustainable Competitve Advantages; calculation of NPV's; Product/Market lifecycle you will be fine. I'd recently interviewed with Bain, along with a number of other Strats houses and found them to be very pleasant bunch of people. Best of luck S
But don't learn those frameworks and then try and force a case to fit them. That's a surefire way of not being asked back.
Make sure you only use them when it is appropriate, and make sure you still use your brain.
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