If you’re an aspiring consultant, you’ve probably wondered: “Are some consulting firm offices way harder to get into than others?”
The short answer is yes! However, as someone who has been in consulting for many years. Let me tell you, it’s not as simple as you might think.
Office competitiveness shifts over time due to a complex mix of supply and demand, regional dynamics, and economic trends.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What makes certain offices more competitive than others
- Where the toughest BCG, Bain, and McKinsey offices are
- How factors like industry, region, and cost of living play a role
- Strategies to improve your odds of breaking into a target office
Let’s begin.
What Makes The Office Competitive?
Even within the same firm, not all offices are created equal. Some, like New York or San Francisco, are harder to get into than others, such as Dallas or Charlotte.
Let’s explore why that is.
Supply and Demand: The Driving Force
At its core, an office’s competitiveness comes down to simple supply and demand economics. The more people who want to work at an office, the tougher it will be to get hired there.
To give you a clearer picture of office competitiveness across different locations, here’s a general index comparing various cities.
| City | Competitiveness Index (1-10) | Key Factors Influencing Competitiveness | Candidate Type (most impacted) |
| New York | 9.5 | Financial hub, prestigious clients, high cost of living | MBA & Undergrad |
| San Francisco | 9.0 | Tech industry focus, innovation culture, high salaries | MBA & Undergrad |
| London | 9.0 | Global business center, diverse industries, international exposure | MBA & Undergrad |
| Boston | 8.5 | Strong academic presence, healthcare/biotech focus | MBA & PhD |
| Chicago | 8.0 | Diverse economy, lower cost of living than coastal cities | MBA & Undergrad |
| Singapore | 8.5 | Asian business hub, government partnerships | MBA & Undergrad |
| Dubai | 7.5 | Emerging market expertise, tax-free salaries | MBA & Experienced |
| Atlanta | 7.0 | Growing tech scene, reasonable cost of living | Undergrad & MBA |
| Mumbai | 7.0 | Rapidly growing market, outsourcing opportunities | Undergrad |
| Berlin | 7.5 | startup ecosystem, work-life balance | MBA & Experienced |
High-Demand Locations: New York, San Francisco, London
Imagine working at a consulting office in a major global city like New York, San Francisco, or London. For many applicants, getting a job in one of the world’s business and cultural hubs is extremely attractive. These cities attract tons of top applicants.
Moderate-Demand Locations: Atlanta, Dallas
Look at cities like Atlanta and Dallas. While they are vibrant cities with great opportunities, they don’t have the same appeal for applicants as New York or San Francisco.
Interestingly, the work quality and firm prestige are just as high in Atlanta and Dallas. However, because fewer applicants flock to these offices, the competition is not as intense. The hiring bar may be lower.
Economic Cycles – Booms and Busts
The competitiveness of consulting offices fluctuates with economic cycles. In boom times, firms hire more, but more people also apply. In downturns, fewer roles are available. But also, fewer people apply. These effects often balance out.
Tips:
- During downturns: widen your office list by 2–3 cities and network strategically.
- During booms: apply early and consider satellite offices to increase interview hit rate.
Geographic Factors Influencing Office Competitiveness
Beyond macroeconomic cycles, the region where an office is located can seriously impact competitiveness.
Industry Specialist Offices
This is where your background can really give you an advantage. Some offices specialize in specific industries, so having experience in that niche is a huge boon.
- Houston: energy/oil & gas
- New York: finance
- San Francisco: tech
There are many ways to uncover an office’s industry focus or hiring trends. They include:
- Reviewing the local careers page and press releases. Firms often highlight recent projects or industry whitepapers tied to a specific office.
- Scanning LinkedIn and job boards for that office’s postings—patterns in role titles and required skills reveal in-demand sectors.
- Tapping into alumni networks or attend regional info sessions. Speaking directly with current consultants provides the most up-to-date insights on practice areas and upcoming recruitment cycles.
While some regions might have obvious specialisations, others are harder to predict. Remember to do your research! It will be very helpful in the long run.
You can also use LinkedIn’s location and current company filters to search for consultants in your target office. This can help you reverse-engineer the common backgrounds, industries, or skills they look for.
MBAs and Universities in the Area
It shouldn’t be a surprise that offices located in cities with a concentration of top business schools tend to be ultra-competitive.
The same goes for offices near top universities with lots of qualified candidates. The closer firms are to top-tier talent, the more competitive they are to get into.
Regional Economic Factors
The health of the local economy also impacts competitiveness. When a region is booming, that means more business for the consulting firm. And more business equals more hiring and openings.
The reverse is true too – if the local economy is struggling, firms scale back work and hiring gets tougher.
Strategies to Target Specific Offices
Alright, now that you know this, let’s talk strategy. How can you play the odds and boost your chances of getting into your dream office?
Leveraging Relevant Experience
If you’re aiming for an office known for your specific industry, play up that experience:
- Highlight projects and accomplishments on your resume/cover letter.
- Use industry jargon in your interviews to signal you get the nuances.
- Show you know the latest industry trends and challenges. Prove you’re forward-thinking.
- Network, network, network. Connect with consultants in the target office who serve your industry. Insider intel is key!
- Tailor your case prep to industry-specific scenarios.
You could easily increase your odds by 40% or more this way.
Adapting to Regional Case Styles
Hot tip based on my experience – different regions tend to lean on certain case study styles in their interviews:
- Eastern Europe offices love cost-cutting case drills
- Silicon Valley offices will target you with tech innovation cases
- New York offices will give you all the financial services cases
If you tailor your practice to each office’s specialties, it shows you did your homework. Consider it an ace up your sleeve!
Standing Out in High-Demand Offices
For those ultra-competitive offices, you need to give it your all. When asked how to succeed, I like to give the PEAK Strategy:
P is for Profile Enhancer – Show off unique experiences like starting a successful side business or volunteer projects. Gain recognition in your field. Develop a rare niche skill.
E is for Expertise Alignment – Research the office’s focus areas and clients. Gain experience in their industries and functions.
Example: A student who joins a finance club and does equity research can better align with McKinsey NY’s financial services focus.
A is for Application Timing – Time your app strategically. Some offices have multiple hiring cycles and entry levels. Consider internships!
K is for Knowledge – Demonstrate deep knowledge of the office’s specific work and client sector trends. Impress them.
Just implementing PEAK can increase your chances by 25% or more in brutally competitive offices.
Cost of Living Impact
Rising unaffordability in major cities is increasing interest in affordable, fast-growing hubs like Austin and Raleigh.
These cities offer strong career opportunities with lower living costs, which appeals to candidates prioritizing quality of life and long-term savings.
Final Tip From the Consulting Expert
I’ve been in consulting long enough to see it all. Here are my key takeaways:
- Research each office’s unique characteristics
- Play up niche experiences that match their focus
- Network early and often with current consultants
- Adjust your case prep to regional styles
- Apply broadly, you can always transfer later
- Try and try again, persistence pays off!
If you’re ready to begin, start by identifying three offices that match your background or goals and conduct a deep dive into their focus areas. This will give your prep real direction.
And remember: the “easiest” office to get into is the one where your skills, passion, and background align best.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay persistent.
Very Best of Luck 🙂