How to Answer the "Why BCG?" Behavioral Interview Question

Are you preparing for a BCG interview and wondering how to answer the crucial "Why BCG?" question? You're not alone. This question is a cornerstone of the Boston Consulting Group interview process, offering you a chance to showcase your understanding of the firm and your fit within its culture. As one of the world's top consulting firms, BCG is known for its innovative approaches, including the famous growth share matrix and its significant global presence. Boston Consulting Group is one of the two “B’s” in ‘MBB’, an acronym that stands for the group commonly viewed as the best management/strategy consulting firms in the world – McKinsey, Bain, and BCG.

In this article, we'll guide you through crafting a compelling response to "Why BCG?" We'll explore the firm’s unique culture, its strengths in industry expertise and career development, and how to align your experiences with its values. You'll learn about BCG's collaborative environment, digital ventures, and the exciting exit options it offers. By the end, you'll be well-equipped to tackle this important BCG interview question with confidence and clarity.

BCG's Culture and Values

Let’s start with one of the most important factors in every answer to the “Why Boston Consulting Group?” question: its culture and values. The BCG culture, evident in every BCG office around the world, is committed to the highest standards of ethics, business conduct, and company principles. As one of the leading consulting firms, BCG expects every employee to uphold these standards. This commitment forms the foundation of BCG's approach to work and client relationships.

On its site, BCG includes the following in its list of company values:

• Integrity as an expression of courage and accountability
• Diversity of thought, expertise, experience, and background
• Respect for the individual as their capacity and desire for personal growth
• Clients come first - we measure our success by our clients’ success
• The Strategic Perspective - enabling clients to delivery superior results in a sustainable manner
• Value delivered in the form of tangible, positive, and lasting change

How these values manifest in the company depends a lot on the specific office, team, and more. Let’s go a bit deeper into some of them and what they mean for you.

Diversity and Respect for the Individual

These two values often manifest as an intentionally collaborative work environment that encourages cross-functional teamwork and open communication. This approach is deeply ingrained in the BCG culture. By building small, global, end-to-end teams with diverse skills, BCG consultants can develop adjacent growth opportunities more effectively. These teams are centrally coordinated but sit within the business, possessing a minimum viable set of cross-functional abilities, including commercial, sales, and operations skills. As a prestigious consulting firm, BCG leverages this structure to maintain its edge in fostering innovation and delivering exceptional results.

Examples:

• Regional staffing model
• Intentional hiring – BCG is known for recruiting “non-traditional” candidates, including non-business majors, MDs, PhDs, military backgrounds, among others

Emphasis on Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of BCG's culture, demonstrated through its values, publications, and approach to problems. The firm understands the importance of creating a "pull" for innovation throughout the organization. This approach has led to significant success, with companies that embrace an innovation culture being 60% more likely to be innovation leaders. BCG encourages risk-taking, fosters collaboration, and grants autonomy to teams to drive innovation.

Examples:

• BCG X and BCG Digital Ventures – The tech build & design unit of BCG that is responsible for turbocharging BCG's deep industry and functional expertise
• Sprint-based client approach that’s focused on launching MVPs to “test and learn” quickly

Focus on Social Impact

BCG places a strong emphasis on social impact, aligning its work closely with addressing and achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The firm believes that having a positive social impact is not just necessary, but also strategic and profitable for organizations, serving as a source of sustainable competitive advantage.

To this end, BCG engages in various social impact initiatives:

• Partnering with leading organizations to mobilize shared expertise
• Developing organizational strengths to solve pressing global challenges
• Helping organizations plan, implement, assess, and communicate their social impact initiatives

BCG's commitment to social impact extends to areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. The firm actively works to ensure women have equitable access to capital, builds programs to improve workplace experiences for women, and drives solutions for equitable access to healthcare.

Examples:

• BCG Spark – A firm initiative designed to empower businesses and their communities by partnering with women and minority-owned enterprises
• BCG X’s Social Impact Accelerator that helps innovators and entrepreneurs scale their idea

By maintaining this strong culture of collaboration, innovation, and social responsibility, BCG continues to position itself as a market leader in the consulting industry.

3 Core Strengths of BCG

Industry Expertise

BCG stands out for its deep industry knowledge across various sectors. You'll find BCG's expertise spanning aerospace and defense, automotive, consumer goods, education, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial goods, insurance, private equity, public sector, retail, technology, media, telecommunications, travel, and tourism. This broad range of expertise allows the consulting firm to provide tailored solutions to clients in diverse industries, helping them navigate complex challenges and identify new opportunities for growth.

Note that industry expertise is often dependent on the specific office you’re interviewing at. Make sure to research the projects of that office; for example, the Houston and other Texas offices do more work with oil and gas companies. The BCG New York office is known for financial services, healthcare, insurance, industrial goods, and retail. Network with BCG alumni and past consultants at the offices you’re interviewing for to be as prepared as possible.

Thought Leadership

BCG's commitment to innovation and thought leadership sets it apart from other top consulting firms. The firm consistently produces cutting-edge research and insights that shape industry trends. For instance, BCG's work on generative AI is reshaping every stage of the software development life cycle, going beyond just coding. The company also partners with organizations like the World Economic Forum to develop blueprints for managing future work challenges. This forward-thinking approach helps you stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies, providing valuable insights to drive your organization's success.

Global Presence

With operations in over 90 offices worldwide, BCG has established itself as one of the largest consulting firms globally. This extensive network allows BCG to offer local expertise while maintaining a global perspective. You can benefit from BCG's deep understanding of local business environments, cultures, and regulations, ensuring that the solutions provided are relevant and effective for your specific market. BCG's global reach also enables it to identify emerging trends across different regions, providing you with innovative solutions that can be applied across various sectors.

The firm’s emphasis on cultural sensitivity is a key aspect of its global approach and BCG consultants are trained to navigate different cultures, treating clients with respect and understanding. This cultural awareness not only helps in building strong client relationships but also ensures that consulting recommendations are relevant and effective in different regions.

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Why the Interviewer Asks the "Why BCG?" Question

When you're asked "Why BCG?" in your consulting interview, it's not just a casual inquiry. This question serves multiple purposes for the interviewer and, by extension, the firm. Understanding these reasons can help you craft a more compelling response.

1. They are assessing your motivation and research.

Interviewers ask this question to gauge your motivation and determine if you have the drive to thrive in BCG's fast-paced, high-stakes environment. They want to see if you've done your homework and have a nuanced understanding of what makes Boston Consulting Group unique. It also demonstrates your research skills, which are crucial in consulting work.

2. They are evaluating your culture fit.

BCG is a values-driven organization. Your response to "Why BCG?" helps interviewers assess how well you align with the firm's core values: Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Diversity, Partnership, and Social Impact. They're looking for candidates who not only understand these values but can also articulate how their own actions and experiences reflect them.

Making sure you’re a good fit for the companies you’re applying to – BCG included – will not just help you be a more effective interviewer, but will also help you be happier at the company when you’re hired. Ideally, you want to work in environments where you can thrive and fit has a lot to do with that. This is another point where networking and talking to as many BCG consultants as you can ahead of time will help you stand out.

3. They are testing your knowledge of BCG's strengths.

Your answer provides insight into your understanding of BCG's unique strengths. For instance, you might mention:

1. BCG's emphasis on innovation, as seen through its thought leadership and initiatives like The BCG Henderson Institute and BCG X.
2. The firm's commitment to social impact, evident in its Social Impact and Climate & Sustainability practice areas.
3. BCG's diverse employee base, which includes professionals from non-traditional backgrounds.
4. The collaborative working model that encourages co-creation with clients at all levels.

This goes along with doing your research. Do you care enough about working for BCG to understand what makes it different from any other consulting firm?

4. They are gauging your network and industry knowledge.

Interviewers want to know if you've networked with current employees and BCG alumni and understand the specific focus areas of the office you're applying to. Mentioning contacts you've made or recent reports published by the office demonstrates your genuine interest and initiative. A referral or relationship with an existing member of the team can go a long way (but make sure to do it in the right way; there is a bad, good, and better way to network for consulting jobs!).

By asking "Why BCG?", interviewers are looking for candidates who can articulate a well-researched, thoughtful response that shows alignment with BCG's values, understanding of its strengths, and genuine enthusiasm for the firm.

5. They are seeing if you’ll stick around.

All of the above pieces – fit, motivation, intent, research, etc. – are a predictor of longevity from the firm’s perspective. The more excited you are about joining BCG, the longer you’re likely to stay, which saves time and resources down the road. If you like your job, you’re also more likely to do well, another reason to optimize for people that seem genuinely interested and excited to work at the firm.

How Should I Structure My Response?

Opening Statement

To craft a compelling response to "Why BCG?" in your consulting interviews, start with a strong opening statement that captures the interviewer's attention and briefly summarizes your strongest point. Your answer should be clear, well-prepared, and last about 1-2 minutes in total. Begin by expressing your genuine enthusiasm for BCG and outline the main reasons you're drawn to the firm.

Explain – 15+ Key Reasons for “Why BCG?”

After your opening statement, go into your main reasons for choosing BCG. These reasons should highlight BCG's unique strengths and align with your personal goals and values. It’s important for the reasons you give to actually make sense with your specific background. For example, if you say you are drawn to the firm’s social impact mission, you should be able to point to specific evidence in your past experiences or future goals that demonstrates why social impact is important to you.

Here are some options for potential reasons:

1. High-profile clients: As an MBB firm, you know that you will work on important projects for big companies solving real business problems. You’ll also likely get proximity to current and future business leaders.
2. Exceptional people: BCG, and the MBB firms, are very competitive and as such, draw incredible talent to them. Working at the firm means you’ll have access to new perspectives, be able to work on personal development, and be a part of the broader community. The ‘BCG family’ is known to be diverse, ambitious, intelligent, and skilled (extra points in the interview if you can talk about specific people you’ve spoken to that demonstrate these qualities!).
3. Opportunities for professional development and mentorship: BCG is known for incorporating mentorship into different aspects of the business; for example, with scheduled mentorship conversations and peer-to-peer coaching.
4. Ability to make a real social impact: The consulting firm’s strong focus on areas in social impact and other sustainability demonstrates its commitment to making a positive difference. For those passionate about driving change, joining BCG means working with a management consulting firm that prioritizes global challenges.
5. Outstanding exit opportunities: One of the most attractive aspects of a career at BCG is the incredible range of exit opportunities it provides. BCG's esteemed reputation and status within the consulting industry, combined with the variety of experiences gained from working on diverse projects, create a unique platform for future success.
6. Strong alumni network and career support: Need backup after your time at the BCG? Worry not! BCG is dedicated to building lasting relationships among its former consultants, reflecting the firm's close-knit community. The BCG alumni network is a valuable resource, offering mentorship, career advice, and collaboration opportunities on various projects. Alumni often maintain connections, forming a supportive network that extends across industries and regions.
7. Various projects - BCG provides a wide range of diverse work and projects. That means their consultants get the chance to work on new and challenging tasks more often than not.
8. Always innovative - BCG is beyond traditional thinking when it comes to their effort on improving the world of tomorrow. The firm’s culture of innovation and leadership build success in the tech industry as shown in BCG X.
9. Personalized framework for every client - Another reason why many individuals want to work at BCG is because of how they take good care of their clients. BCG provides tailored strategies and execution for every client as they are committed to deliver top-notch solutions.
10. Strengthens your chance to get into business schools - Many individuals join BCG with aspirations of attending top-tier business schools, and the firm has a strong track record of alumni acceptance into prestigious MBA programs. BCG equips its consultants with skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and leadership, all valuable for business school admissions. The firm’s supportive culture, mentorship, and professional development resources help prepare candidates for success in their academic pursuits. Like other MBB firms, BCG also sponsors a select number of its consultants’ MBA degrees, paying for the entire experience in return for a commitment to coming back to the firm after graduation.
11. Emphasis on collaboration - If teamwork matters to you, then BCG might be the right choice for you. The consulting firm is known for encouraging teamwork at every level.
12. Big database knowledge - The consulting firm is also known for having a vast database of knowledge and insights from decades of diverse client projects. This resource-rich environment supports rapid learning and innovation, providing access to best practices, case studies, and expert frameworks. BCG's culture of knowledge-sharing ensures that consultants can leverage the firm's collective wisdom to deliver outstanding results for clients.
13. Opportunities for operational work - Consultants have the opportunity to engage in more operational work compared to McKinsey and Bain. This hands-on approach allows consultants to play a significant role in implementing strategic solutions, directly impacting client operations and driving tangible results. BCG's emphasis on operational involvement ensures consultants gain comprehensive experience, enhancing their problem-solving skills and career growth.
14. Respected culture - The consulting firm’s culture emphasizes excellence, collaboration, and innovation. The firm fosters an environment where intellectual curiosity and creativity are highly valued, encouraging consultants to push boundaries and develop tailored solutions for clients. This culture of high performance and mutual respect creates a dynamic and supportive workplace, attracting top talent and ensuring impactful results.
15. Established brand name - Like most popular brands, BCG's name is built on a legacy of excellence – offering employees opportunities to work on high-impact projects with top clients. The global recognition and respect for the BCG brand provide a sense of pride and validation, signaling that its consultants are among the best in the field. This brand recognition supports consultants in their recruiting processes for future roles.
16. Alumni network - Though not necessarily completely unique to this firm, BCG does have a wide alumni network who have gone on to amazing pursuits around the world. Joining this network gives you access to tons of future opportunities and many instant connections.

When preparing for BCG interviews, structure your responses to reflect how these aspects resonate with your personal and professional aspirations, emphasizing how they align with your goals and values. This approach will showcase your understanding of what makes BCG a standout choice in the field of management consulting and your enthusiasm to join it.

Use Specific Examples

To make your response more impactful, provide specific examples that illustrate your reasons for choosing BCG. You can:

1. Reference BCG's specific publications: Mention articles or reports you've read that align with your goals and background, such as How Energy Companies Can Organize for the Low-Carbon Era if you’re interested in doing energy work.
2. Highlight personal interactions: Discuss your experiences with BCG consultants and other employees during the recruiting process, emphasizing their supportiveness and genuine nature.
3. Connect with office-specific work: If you're applying to a particular office, research and mention its focus areas. For example, the Houston office's work in the oil and gas space.

Example Answer to the “Why BGC?” Interview Question

Here is a sample answer to help you brainstorm and structure your own response:

I am particularly drawn to BCG because of its unparalleled commitment to innovation and social impact, which aligns perfectly with my career aspirations and personal values. I am excited by the prospect of working in an environment that not only encourages, but also invests heavily in innovative solutions. This is also an environment where I know I can thrive. My background in tech startups has shown me the transformative power of creative solutions to mundane problems, and I am eager to contribute to BCG's cutting-edge projects, such as their work on generative AI reshaping the software development lifecycle.

As for the social impact point, the firm's efforts to address global challenges, as evidenced by its alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and initiatives like BCG Spark, deeply resonate with me. I have always been passionate about using my skills to drive meaningful social change, and I believe BCG provides the perfect platform to do so. My volunteer work with local non-profits has shown me the importance of strategic support in creating lasting impact, a philosophy that BCG clearly upholds.

I have seen these values and mission-driven spirit in preparing to join the firm. I’ve met so many incredibly smart, genuine, and supportive BCGers who are passionate about creating positive change in the world. In a conversation with [insert name], I learned about their experience working on a project for [insert company name], an organization I’ve always admired. BCG’s client network and values-to-mission approach, along with [specific office]’s projects and team make it the ideal place for me to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to society. I am eager to bring my unique background and passion for impactful change to BCG and help drive the firm's mission forward.

How You Align Your Experience with BCG

Highlight relevant skills and achievements

To align your experience with BCG, focus on showcasing your leadership abilities, collaborative spirit, and drive for excellence. BCG values professionals who can foster inclusive environments built on trust and deliver meaningful results. Highlight your achievements that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems and deliver value to clients.

When discussing your skills, emphasize your adaptability and willingness to learn. BCG offers experienced professionals the chance to apply their expertise to new challenges, whether by deepening their knowledge in a specific area or exploring entirely new industries. Showcase instances where you've successfully navigated change or acquired new skills quickly.

Put it in context of your career goals

BCG provides top-of-class career growth opportunities within a high-performance environment. When articulating your career goals, align them with BCG's emphasis on continuous learning and development. The firm encourages you to take ownership of your career and provides ample opportunities to grow.

Highlight your ambition to make a significant impact in your work. BCG projects are often complex and rewarding, offering the chance to deliver meaningful value. Share your aspirations to work on ambitious goals and contribute to transformative projects, such as helping clients achieve substantial savings or supporting sustainability initiatives.

Show your personal values

BCG's values guide all aspects of their work, and they expect employees to act with integrity, respect individuality, and make ethical decisions. When discussing your personal values, emphasize your commitment to these principles. In 2022, 97% of BCG employees felt personally responsible for maintaining the firm's values.

Highlight your dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). BCG prioritizes making everyone feel valued, supported, and able to reach their full potential. Share experiences that demonstrate your commitment to creating inclusive environments and supporting diverse teams.

Lastly, emphasize your interest in BCG's social impact initiatives. The firm is committed to making a positive difference, as evidenced by their dedicated practice areas in Social Impact and Climate & Sustainability. Discuss how this aligns with your own values and desire to contribute to meaningful change in the world.

The Bottom Line

Mastering the "Why BCG?" question is key to making a strong impression in your interview. By understanding BCG's unique culture, strengths, and values, you can craft a response that showcases your alignment with the firm. Remember to highlight BCG's commitment to innovation, social impact, and collaborative work environment, while also connecting your personal experiences and goals to these aspects.

Ultimately, your answer should reflect genuine enthusiasm for BCG and a deep understanding of what sets it apart in the consulting world. By following the strategies outlined in this article, you'll be well-prepared to tackle this crucial interview question with confidence. This preparation will not only help you in the interview process but also give you a clearer picture of why BCG might be the right fit for your career aspirations. You’ll be asked a variation of this question in interviews at any of the top consulting firms, so it’s an important one to approach strategically and thoughtfully.

For additional resources, read these articles that will guide you through your consulting career:

• A Comprehensive Guide to MBB: McKinsey & Co., Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Co.
• The 3 Whys of Consulting Behavioral Interviews & How to Answer Them — Why You, the Role, and the Company
• How to Succeed in a Consulting Career - An Expert Coach's Guide
• How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" in Consulting Interviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I respond to the question, "Why do you want to work at BCG?" during an interview?

• You can mention various compelling reasons such as BCG's reputation for working with high-profile clients, the variety and impact of their projects, the opportunity to work alongside ambitious and intelligent individuals, the firm's commitment to tailored client solutions, professional development and mentorship programs, customizable career paths, a culture that fosters innovation, and the chance to engage in more operational work.

What traits will help me stand out in a BCG interview?

• To stand out in a BCG interview, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, integrity, a collaborative spirit, and a strong sense of self-efficacy and motivation. These qualities are highly valued, as they equip you to tackle complex business challenges, whether you are pursuing a consulting career or another role within the firm.

What steps should I follow to excel in a BCG case interview?

• To excel in a BCG case interview, follow these six steps: Understand the case thoroughly, clarify the objectives, develop a structured framework, formulate a hypothesis, test this hypothesis, and conclude with a clear recommendation.

Should I talk about BCG's culture in my response?

• Yes, discussing BCG's culture is crucial. Highlight how BCG's collaborative and inclusive work environment, opportunities for continuous learning, and emphasis on intellectual curiosity align with your personal and professional values.

Is it beneficial to discuss BCG's impact on society in my answer?

• Yes, discussing BCG's impact on society is beneficial. Highlight their work in social impact and sustainability, and connect it to your own passion for making a difference. This demonstrates your alignment with BCG's mission to create positive change.