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Overview

Introduction

The consulting industry might be inherently global, but it was Bain & Company that broke ground in the Chinese market in 1993 by becoming the first global strategic consultancy to establish an office in Beijing. Today, the firm is a standard-bearer of the industry in the Asia-Pacific markets, with offices in more than a dozen countries in the region.

Company Stats

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Employer Type

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Size

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Major Departments/Practice Areas

Advanced Analytics Agile Change Management Corporate......
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Major Office Locations

Beijing, CN...
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Employment Contact

Emily Chong- Human Resources...
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Chairman

Firsthand Findings

 

A firm that needs little by way of introduction, Bain’s reputation as an employer is perhaps only surpassed by its notoriety as a purveyor of top-tier strategic advice for a glittering roster of clients. One of just a handful of firms that can provide access to the upper echelons of almost any corner of the global business, political or even philanthropic community, a career at Bain is a potential leadership passport for those who are cut out to thrive within the firm.

Unsurprisingly, year after year, insiders wax lyrical about the scale and scope of the projects they get to work on, as well as the quality of the colleagues they work alongside. Add in the strides the firm has been making on everything from work-life balance to DEI to em...

About the Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change-makers define the future.  Across 59 offices in 37 countries, the firm works alongside clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. Bain & Company complements its tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Its 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings its talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today’s urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. Since the founding of Bain & Company in 1973, it has measured its success by the success of its clients, and p...

Employee Reviews

  • “Amazing opportunity to work with extraordinary colleagues to solve our clients’ toughest problems.”
  • “Bain has given me the opportunity to have a massive impact with clients, on people and in a social impact sense. I love the place and impact.”
  • “Bain is an outstanding fit for super hungry, humble and smart leaders who are practical and results oriented.”
  • “I feel privileged to be at one of the great firms to work for, where we work so hard to make it a place for impact, learning and fun.”
  • “Consider Bain above the other consulting firms if people/culture is important to you. Work/compensation you can find at any of the other MBB firms, but people is something which makes Bain special. Other firms consider colleagues to just be colleagues, but at Bain your colleagues become friends that you end up hanging out with on weekends.”
  • “If you like consulting, this is definitely one of the best firms for you. Culture and people are great. You will also be working with very senior clients to solve some of their most strategic problems. Be engaged to get the best experience out of each case and keep building your credibility.”
  • “Surely one of the best places to start a business career, or to make a pivot after graduate school. Our 12000+ alumni are a very good source to tap into as well, for information about your decision, and later, if you should decide to leave.”
  • “As with any consulting career, managing hours can be difficult when on intense cases. However, Bain has systematic processes to ensure people are able to balance quality of life with work commitments—and not every case is super intense to begin with!”
  • “Bain respects vacation time that is organised well and around case requirements, e.g. if you align on leave with your manager it will be respected.”
  • “Huge focus on support health - both physical and mental. Have just implemented Unmind app to support self learning and support and formal personal and leadership training on mental wellbeing.”
  • “Management consulting is a job that is demanding on personal time but as a firm we are working hard to continuously find ways to keep the work and life balance under control. The best aspects is definitely that we watch out one another to make sure we are OK and we take into consideration personal situations when staffing projects. We have also course correcting mechanisms as part of project teams to keep an eye on the sustainability and intervene if things don't go in the right way. As leaders in the firm we are accountable for doing whatever we can to make our team sustainability work compatibly with the client needs.”
  • “Over the past 5 years, the firm has stepped up investment in a broad range of health and wellness programs: coaching, counseling, education on a range of topics, access to broad financial/ life advice etc.”
  • “Quality of experience is very dependent on what projects you get staffed to which can be luck of the draw, especially at more junior levels. Some people may never need have to travel regularly, while others always do.”
  • “Travel is down to zero due to Covid. I enjoy travel in moderation - definitely missing it this year. Bain is laser-focused on employee sustainability, including getting balance of hours and time off right.”
  • “Vacation time is well protected, you generally do not have to attend to work on vacation. Number of leave days are slightly lesser than financial services firms, could do with more leave days perhaps. A lot of support is given to ensure that you can leave when you need to, and leave peacefully.”
  • “Competitive salary and bonus. Retirement plan is a bit basic.”
  • “Outstanding competitive comp.”
  • “Performance bonus is a huge advantage, you get rewarded for performance. Base salary moves slowly.”
  • “Best aspects are the flexibility in the career path (e.g. business school sponsorship, externships, internships, rotation as non client facing, office mobility, LOA, part time...). Diversity has been another strong area of improvement we had specifically in terms of percentage and caliber of women leaders in Bain.”
  • “Excellent training program quality and strong mentoring culture. Very diverse and inclusive work place.”
  • “Outstanding apprenticeship model—people are given all the opportunities and responsibilities that they can handle, being constantly stretched at the edge of your comfort zone.”
  • “There are very set career development opportunities which makes it easy to know what is coming next; we also have a very meritocratic process which means strong performers move quicker but that those who are less strong still have the space to course correct within promotion timeline. Lots of opportunities to take a step back and work on internal, IP or other roles that can provide greater flexibility and less direct client interaction.”
  • “Bain is a leading gender diverse employer, with many leading initiatives supporting the diversity agenda - not only women, minorities, LGBTQ, disability, and an increased focus in race and reconciliation in recent months.”
  • “Bain is putting a lot of effort and means into its DEI agenda.”
  • “Fair promotion opportunity.”
  • “It is itself a very diverse workforce and people work well together. There is also diversity and inclusion program to reinforce the importance of diversity and equity.”
  • “We have a big focus on ensuring the workplace is inclusive, and have recently done well with our female partner promotions. However there is still a long way to go to make the workplace truly equal.”
  • “We have always prioritised diversity and inclusion in our firm. Last month we announced the creation of an entire new practice are dedicated solely to this. Very proud moment for me.”
  • “Great innovation in digital and partnership with China ecosystem giants.”
  • “They have managed the impacts of COVID to people and the business very well.”
  • “Trusted relationship with client. Direct access to CEO and other C-level executives. Many strategy and due diligence cases. Improving digital capability and becoming competitive.”
  • “We are coming out of the Covid demand shock with good momentum and an expectation that we have gained share.”

Why Work Here

At Bain, we work with bold clients who want to define the future, not hide from it. We solve transformative challenges by working alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition.

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and collaboration is key to building our extraordinary teams. We hire people with exceptional talents, abilities and potential, then create an environment where you can bring your whole self to work.

We know your priorities can shift as your life changes. At every point, we make sure you have what you need for a long, productive and fulfilling career with us.

We never let one another fail. It’s a simple motto, but one we live by every day.

Getting Hired Here

  • “Two rounds of interviews (2x45 minute case studies in each round). Looking for smart candidates that can solve problems and communicate those insights to senior clients.”
  • “Hard to pass the written test in Greater China, but even more difficult to pass the case interview.”
  • “People that are strong in problem solving with perspectives, client communication and a great team player.”
  • “Right combination of IQ, EQ and RQ. Self-starters who stay curious and humble.”
  • “Someone that is intelligent, a great team player, and believes in the 'work hard, play hard' mentality.”
  • “Case studies.”
  • “Questions on previous work/non-work experience. Case interviews to test problem solving skill and client communication skill. Questions about career ambition.”

Perks & Benefits