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Jenny Rae joined Bain in 2005. At McKinsey that year, consultants were home 3 nights a week – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That was considered acceptable.

Today, consulting looks different. But maybe not in the ways you'd assume.

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the 4 real shifts she's tracked over 20 years inside and alongside the industry – and makes the case for what's barely changed at all.

We cover:

• How a 10-week engagement today compares to a 20-week one from 2005
• Why firms are now pressure-testing your commitment to stay – and what to say when they do
• Why 50+ firms are now legitimate career launchpads – not just MBB
• What's stayed the same despite 20 years of industry change

Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Create a free MC account to access foundational resources and start building your consulting skill set today
• Book a 15-minute consult with Katie to figure out the right prep path for where you are right now

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Most people think consulting trains you in industries or analytics.

That's not the real advantage.

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the skill consultants master at the world's top firms – complex project management – and the 10 principles that separate average operators from the people who consistently deliver under pressure.

You'll learn:

• Why scope clarity (and what you're not doing) matters more than the project plan itself
• How consultants align stakeholders, escalate issues, and build quality into every phase
• The mindset shift that makes project management a career accelerator in any industry

Resources:

• Bring consulting-level project management to your team with PM Training
• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Create a free MC account to access foundational resources and start building your consulting skill set today

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Digital assessments are now the first filter at the top consulting firms – McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and more – and they're nothing you've seen before.

Coach Kabreya (ex-PwC, ex-Bridgespan, ex-McKinsey) breaks down exactly what each firm's test measures, where candidates go wrong, and how to prepare effectively.

• What McKinsey Solve, Bain Gorilla, and BCG CCA are actually testing
• Why time management is the silent killer
• How BCG's CCA filters for cultural fit and values alignment – not just analytical ability
• The 4 mistakes that tank otherwise strong candidates

Black Belt members get access to simulated digital assessments for MBB and more – get started today.

Resources:

• Get full simulations for Bain Gorilla, McKinsey Solve, BCG CCA & more in Black Belt
• Book a 15-minute consult with Katie for guidance on which MC program is the right fit

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Yang Yu spent 8 years in healthcare and life sciences before pursuing an evening MBA at Chicago Booth with his sights set on consulting.

His first recruiting attempt ended without the offer he wanted. His second? 3 top-tier offers, including McKinsey, Bain, and PwC Strategy&.

In this episode, Yang breaks down exactly what changed – and how he stayed grounded when the pressure was highest, including a Halloween night offer call he'll never forget.

We cover:

• Why doing more cases doesn't mean doing better cases
• His 3-step reflection framework for identifying and fixing blind spots
• How he tailored his prep firm-by-firm – and when to bring in professional coaching
• What it's actually like to choose between multiple top consulting offers

Resources:

• Join Black Belt – Yang's go-to prep program throughout his recruiting journey
• Book a 15-minute consult with Katie for guidance on which MC program is the right fit
• university@managementconsulted.com – For consulting club leaders looking to bring MC support (resume edits, case coaching, and more) to their campus

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Not sure what to expect on the Bain Gorilla Test? You're not alone. Most candidates go in underprepared – and it costs them.

In this bonus episode, Katie Neff walks through 4 example questions covering problem solving, time management, personality, and communication.

She breaks down the logic behind each answer, including a sneaky gotcha that often trips people up.

Resources:

• Get full simulations for Gorilla, McKinsey Solve, BCG CCA & more inside Black Belt
• Grab a free Bain Gorilla practice test

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

In this Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down "Procrastinator Annie" – an impressive sophomore at a target school who bought 24 coaching sessions, built a full prep plan… and then didn't start.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why waiting until you "feel ready" is the most common trap high achievers fall into
• What to do when you're behind on prep with only weeks to go
• The daily minimum that keeps you moving forward (even when time is tight)
• Why your first coaching session is supposed to be uncomfortable

Want help like Annie is getting?

The April Black Belt cohort closes Tuesday, April 7 (limited spots). Learn more and join.

Resources:

• Join the April Black Belt cohort
• Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to map out your best path
• Create a free MC account to get Case Foundations, a case prep crash course

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Financial services is entering a new era – shaped by M&A activity, AI adoption, regulatory pressure, and the rise of digital assets.

In this fireside chat, leaders from PwC and L.E.K. Consulting break down the real strategic questions facing banks, asset managers, and investors today.

You’ll hear how firms are thinking about growth, where AI is actually delivering value, and what the future of financial services consulting looks like.

In this episode:

• The shift from scale → scope in M&A strategy
• How firms are navigating uncertainty in capital markets
• Where AI is driving real impact (and where it’s overhyped)
• The truth about crypto and digital assets in financial services
• What top consulting firms look for when hiring

Whether you're exploring consulting or already in the industry, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how top firms are thinking about one of the most dynamic sectors today.

Click here to connect with each speaker and learn more about the firms.

Resources:

• Break into consulting through Black Belt, an accelerated prep program
• Explore open roles at PwC and L.E.K.

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

If you want great mentors in consulting, don’t ask for mentorship.

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the simple, repeatable approach she used at Bain to build powerful mentor relationships – and keep them for decades.

You’ll learn:

• Why asking someone to be your “mentor” is the wrong move
• The low-pressure strategy that actually builds real relationships
• How to turn strong performance into long-term mentorship and advocacy

This is the playbook for building a network of mentors who don’t just advise you – they invest in your success.

Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Get the free Case Prep Plan (step-by-step guide to win case interviews)
• Book a 15-minute consult with Katie for guidance on MC programs

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more