What's it like working as a Strategy Consultant?

Hi 👋

I work at Bain & Company's Brussels office. I joined in January 2022 as an Associate Consultant.

⏳ Hours

I typically work 55-60 hours per week, working in-person from the office.

My work hours usually follow this structure:

• Monday - Wednesday: 9am - 10:30pm

• Thursday: 9am - 8pm

• Friday: 9am - 6pm

🗓️ Typical day-to-day tasks

• 20% quantitative analysis: Constructing models and analyzing data in Excel

• 30% presentation formatting: Spending a lot of time working on PowerPoint formatting

• 20% emails: Communicating and coordinating with team members and clients

• 30% meetings: Discussing with team members, communicating progress with my supervisor, etc.

🪜 Expected career progression

The role progression at Bain is as follows:

• Associate Consultant (typically drives the quantitative work for each stream)

• Consultant (typically leads each stream and drives the presentation work)

• Senior Manager (manages each case on a day-to-day basis, prioritizing tasks and communicating with clients)

• Partner (orchestrates each case and deals directly with senior clients)

Associate Consultants have typically been at the firm for 3 years before they are promoted to Senior Consultants.

However, one key stat:
The average duration someone stays at Bain is only 2.5-3 years—which is surprising considering this includes those who stay for their entire careers.

It is very common to leave after the first promotion (typically after 2 years at the firm).