Bain consultant blueprint for breaking into consulting and thriving globally
Breaking into consulting looks very different when you hear it from someone who has actually done it.
In this episode, we sat down with Jey Varshini Vijaya Pandian (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#), ex Bain & Company (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#) and an HEC Paris (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#) graduate, to talk about what consulting actually looks like once you are inside the firm and what most candidates misunderstand while preparing.
We spoke about her journey into Bain, how recruiting decisions are really made behind the scenes, and what interviewers are actually listening for when you answer a case or a fit question. Not the polished buzzwords, but how you think, how you explain, and how you handle ambiguity.
We also got into what makes some candidates stand out early, why many strong profiles still struggle in interviews, and how expectations change once you move from campus hiring to lateral roles. A lot of this came from her own experience working on cases, sitting in rooms where decisions were made, and seeing patterns repeat across candidates.
If you are preparing for consulting or strategy roles and want a more grounded view of what really matters, this conversation will help you recalibrate how you prep.
1 Oct 2025
How I Found My Place in Strategy Consulting
What happens when you land the consulting role you’ve worked toward but the reality feels different than you expected?
In this episode, we speak with Hareth Ali from Bain & Company, Riyadh, who shares his story of stepping into the consulting world, building confidence, and learning how to show up in a fast-paced, demanding environment.From early doubts to leading projects without a manager, Hareth opens up about the personal and professional lessons that shaped him along the way.If you’re exploring consulting, preparing for interviews, or wondering what life at a top firm looks like on the inside, this episode offers real perspective.
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26 Sept 2025
How I Found My Place in Strategy Consulting | Teaser
You think you're supposed to have all the answers on day one. But most of the time, you're still figuring out the questions.In this conversation, Hareth Ali shares what it felt like to step into Bain — the assumptions, the reality, and the quiet work of building confidence in a space that moves fast.This isn’t just about careers. It’s about learning how to carry yourself, even when you’re still becoming the person you want to be.Teaser’s out now. Full episode drops soon.Want to break into consulting or strategy roles, checkout our advanced prep program BC+: https://www.beingconsultant.com/become-a-memberJoin the world's biggest community of problem solvers: https://link.beingconsultant.com/BeingConsultantCommunity-4Being Consultant LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/beingconsultant/Being Consultant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingconsultant?igsh=Nzg1NHQ1eGQ1M2c5#BainAndCompany #ConsultingInsights #WorkAndIdentity #StartingOut #CareerGrowth #ConversationsThatMatter #BehindTheTitle #VoicesInConsulting #PathAndProgress
30 Aug 2025
Bain to startup to CXO - Solving Problems & Navigating changes
What does it take to keep reinventing your professional and personal life without losing your sense of direction? Anmol Agarwal, an IIM Ahmedabad alumni and former Bain consultant, shares her story of resilience and transition. She talks about starting out in consulting, making the bold choice to launch her own D2C brand, and then stepping into the challenge of leading a family business. Through each shift, she reflects on the lessons she carried forward and the role her personal life played in shaping those decisions. This conversation is an honest look at building a career on your own terms and finding strength in change.Join the world's biggest community of problem solvers: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BuJk9VMfMfzFQ5SbyUZtKyBeing Consultant LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/beingconsultant/Being Consultant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingconsultant?igsh=Nzg1NHQ1eGQ1M2c5#ConsultingCareer#WomenInConsulting#CareerJourney#Mckinsey #MBAJourney #CXO #D2C#ConsultingInIndia#BCG #Bain
26 Aug 2025
FROM CONSULTING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Anmol Agarwal’s journey is a reminder that careers do not need to follow a single track. She began in consulting at Bain, thrived in a demanding role, and then chose to step away to build her own D2C brand from the ground up. Later, she took on the responsibility of leading a family business, showing once again how reinvention can open new doors. Alongside these shifts, she also made space for her personal life, from marriage to motherhood, proving that career and personal milestones can move together. Her story is about resilience, risk-taking, and the courage to keep starting over. The full episode drops soon!The episode drops soon.Join the world's biggest community of problem solvers: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BuJk9VMfMfz... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUJKb00zZ3FvSDdEaHhBV1B1LTlvRTRGV2ZxUXxBQ3Jtc0ttS09uSXVXLWJveDVkQnFKTUdfYU1MaktJdUpsRkotWnVXTkFmSzY1TjlPVHd1RTZuYXh0dnVZY1d3alQ0Vkp4YnRmT3BRcHVPQUpPNi1Oa1NFTjBVeFdIM1R5RzJNZ2Nja3p1Z2EyemllZzN0TGVMdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fchat.whatsapp.com%2FBuJk9VMfMfzFQ5SbyUZtKy&v=FiT4p5cQUQE)Being Consultant LinkedIn - / beingconsultant (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblhUNGxwT21fWDFrZTNFSmVxREk1T0NpclZLd3xBQ3Jtc0tsWWhLV0tsNkMxc2RwZkRuQ1BGWlNiZlMybFVZMmNKQUNXdG5iZFZxNDU1OWtmNF9qb0s1aXQtY2k3ejNSbnFmYkdQWmlzb3RIR1RLUUxkSkhQelRYOWE0aW0zX3YwdjR0QTZrS2JkekNFb19jTGdKUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fbeingconsultant%2F&v=FiT4p5cQUQE)Being Consultant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingconsul... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblAzay1XdTRzS3pHa05hMGRkc01hOG04SF9wd3xBQ3Jtc0tuUHQ2MkxJdUsyNXBTcjg3dDRabTQ0VUJ4d1FORGJqS19venliMEM1YXZHb2duZlNpRnZ5VUEzb2h5UmZHXzcxTUJVdmxqVEppVEE4U2FrMGJJVnpfWjFrV2FKanBnbkUxc054UXhhMVlob241b25Law&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbeingconsultant%3Figsh%3DNzg1NHQ1eGQ1M2c5&v=FiT4p5cQUQE)#ConsultingCareer (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/consultingcareer)#WomenInConsulting (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womeninconsulting)#CareerJourney (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/careerjourney)#Mckinsey (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mckinsey) #MBAJourney (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mbajourney) #CXO (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/cxo) #D2C (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/d2c)#ConsultingInIndia (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/consultinginindia)#BCG (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bcg) #Bain (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bain)
17 Jul 2025
From Failing Engineering to Consulting at McKinsey
What are the odds that someone who struggled through engineering exams, taking extra years to complete it, would go on to represent her country at Miss World and even lead global teams at McKinsey?
Remona Moodley’s journey is the kind that doesn’t fit neatly into boxes. She’s been on global stages and inside boardrooms. She started with academic lows, rebuilt herself through extracurriculars, earned her MBA from UC Berkeley, and rose to become an Engagement Manager at one of the most competitive consulting firms in the world.
She talks about everything that shaped her path - the moments of doubt, the lessons from feedback, the reality of internal transfers, and how she stayed grounded through it all.This episode is for anyone who has ever second-guessed their way in. For those trying to crack consulting but unsure if they belong. For anyone chasing a goal that doesn’t look like everyone else’s.
Her story is proof that it’s possible.
The episode is now out. Tune in!
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15 Jul 2025
From Failing Engineering to Consulting at McKinsey | Teaser
From being on the stage for Miss World, to an MBA from UC Berkeley to absolutely killing it at McKinsey, as an Engagement Manager.Remona’s journey has been beyond the usual, ahead of the curveThis episode explores what it means to build a career in consulting without following a standard path. From setbacks in engineering to earning leadership roles at one of the world's most selective firms, Remona’s story challenges assumptions about who belongs in consulting and how they get there.For aspiring consultants looking to break in without fitting a template, this conversation offers clarity and direction.The episode drops soon.
19 Jun 2025
Globe-trotting, Career Pivots & Mom Guilt—The truth every consulting aspirant needs to hear ft Kriti Kakria
Kriti Kakria shares her non-linear career journey, discussing industry shifts, global experiences, and balancing motherhood with ambition in consulting, offering fresh perspectives for listeners navigating their own paths in this interview.
14 Jun 2025
Globe-trotting, Career Pivots & Mom Guilt—The truth every consulting aspirant needs to hear | Teaser
Kriti Kakria shares her experiences navigating a global consulting career, including unexpected pivots and moments of doubt, revealing a unique perspective on success in the industry in this interview.
20 May 2025
He Cracked McKinsey USA | Without A Target MBA ft Akash Khamkar
Akash Khamkar shares his experience breaking into McKinsey USA without a target MBA, discussing his application strategy, interview preparation, and life inside the firm in an interview with Gaurav, offering insights for unconventional candidates.
13 May 2025
From Non-Target To McKinsey US, Akash's Unbelievable Journey | Teaser
Akash shares his unconventional journey to McKinsey USA, detailing how he defied expectations and secured a role without an MBA or target school pedigree in this interview.
Who has been a guest on Unfiltered by Being Consultant
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Kriti Kakria
Akash Khamkar
Akash
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