BCG or Bain?

Hi there,

I’d suggest going with your gut feeling here. Ask yourself which interviews felt more natural and where you clicked better with the people. Think about which recruiting process seemed more inclusive and aligned. Those interactions can often reveal a lot about the culture of the firm.

It might also be helpful to reach out to a couple of consultants at both BCG and Bain in the Riyadh office. Getting their perspective on the day-to-day work environment and growth opportunities could give you more clarity on which firm might be a better fit for you. Ask HR and they can connect you with some consultants.

Both are top firms, so there isn’t really a "wrong" choice. The key is to go with the option that feels more right to you and trust your instincts.

All the best for your start,
Kairavee

Hi, may I kindly consult you how long did it take you from the final round to get an offer call from BCG? I had the final round interview with BCG ME a few days ago.

Hi there,

In case there are no material differences in salary and perks, I would definitely go with the option you had the better chemistry with (during recruiting events, talks, and interviews).

Both firms are great and set you up for life. :-)

Cheers,

Florian

Hey there! Congrats on the offer! I can relate to this situation since I also had the choice between two firms(McKinsey & BCG). 

In my opinion, it depends on several factors, such as culture, work environment, and personal career goals. Both firms are highly reputable, so speaking with consultants from each office, visiting the offices if possible, and connecting with HR or colleagues via LinkedIn could help provide insight into the culture and work dynamics. Additionally, consider your long-term exit opportunities and which firm aligns more with your ambitions. Ultimately, the decision should reflect where you feel you will thrive both professionally and personally.

Good luck with this! 

Alessa :)

Hi there,

Congratulations on landing offers from both Bain and BCG—this is an incredible achievement! Having spent 8 years at Bain and also received a BCG offer recently, I can share some perspective to help you decide.

BCG is about ~30–40% bigger than Bain in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which is the key growth market in the region. This means more opportunities to work on large-scale, high-impact projects, and their compensation (including bonuses) is typically 10–20% higher, depending on seniority. On the other hand, Bain is known for its outstanding work culture, mentorship, and a more diverse set of private-sector projects, which can provide a well-rounded consulting experience.

The choice really comes down to your priorities—whether you value scale and compensation or a strong, team-oriented culture with private-sector focus. Both firms are excellent, and you’re in a great position to succeed either way. If you’d like to discuss further, feel free to reach out!

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers from BCG and Bain!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

I would highly advise you to opt for the option that better aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals. In order to make an informed decision, I would advise you to do the following:

• Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you independently of the current options (e.g., prestige, culture, international exposure, compensation). After that, score the two options based on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in two scores. This way, you have covered the left-brain perspective.
• Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality. This way, you have covered the right-brain perspective.
• By doing so, you will be able to integrate both parts of the brain into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance that you will still be happy with it years later.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

I have been in both, and I can say the following:

1. It is not about the monetary or perks: These things are very similar, so there is no dealbreaker here.

2. Industry: Although both companies are big companies in the Middle East, they have more profound expertise in some industries. BCG is more significant in energy, government, and financial services, while Bain is more significant in transportation, supply chain, and private equity. So, have some calls with the current consultant and asked them about industries. If you have a preference, you have an answer on which one you should pick.

3. Travel: Bains tries to reduce travel for the consultants, while BCG is more open to travel.

4. Culture: Bain and BCG are very different in terms of culture. Bain is heavily focused on people, while BCG balances people and delivery to the client. I do not want to fall into the cliche: It is about people, but you can tell the differences when you talk to Bainies or BCGers, you can tell the differences.  

I highly suggest talking with current consultants and asking about these topics. 

Best,

Carlos