Unfiltered by Being Consultant

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, ex Bain & Company and an HEC Paris 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.

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, Doha, 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.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

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

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

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...Being Consultant LinkedIn -   / beingconsultant  Being Consultant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingconsul...#ConsultingCareer#WomenInConsulting#CareerJourney#Mckinsey #MBAJourney #CXO #D2C#ConsultingInIndia#BCG #Bain

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!Join the world's biggest community of problem solvers: https://link.beingconsultant.com/communityBeing Consultant website - www.beingconsultant.comBeing Consultant LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/beingconsultant/Being Consultant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingconsultant?igsh=Nzg1NHQ1eGQ1M2c5#ConsultingCareer#WomenInConsulting#GlobalCareerJourney#Mckinsey #Missworld #MissIndia#MBAJourney #EngineerinConsulting#ConsultingInIndia#BCG #Bain

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.

Kriti Kakria didn’t map her career in straight lines. And that’s exactly what makes her story worth listening to.She moved cities often as a kid. She shifted industries more than once. She did her MBA across London and Hong Kong. And today, she leads transformation work at one of the Big 4 firms in the UK.This episode is packed with stories you rarely hear — the ones about starting over, figuring things out on the go, and balancing ambition with everything else life throws at you.We talk about:- How she broke into consulting without checking every traditional box- What it’s like to work across India and the UK- The quieter decisions behind her bigger career moves- Her thoughts on motherhood and momentum- What changed in consulting over the last decadeIf you're figuring out your path — whether it’s consulting or something else — this conversation will give you a fresh way to look at things.Join the world's biggest community of problem solvers: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BuJk9VMfMfzFQ5SbyUZtKyConsultant LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/beingconsultant/Gaurav's LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultingcareercoach/Being Consultant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingconsultant?igsh=Nzg1NHQ1eGQ1M2c5Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:35 - Kriti’s journey24:00 - As a mother in consulting 35:22 - Is MBA still relevant?39:00 - Projects in Org consulting 50:52 - Transferable skills in consulting55:40 - How Kriti landed in consulting 1:05:00 - Advice to female consultants1:12:14 - Consulting across different geographies 1:19:56 - Why background doesn’t matter in consulting1:22:09 - Changes in consulting industry#ConsultingCareer #WomenInConsulting #GlobalCareerJourney#Big4Leadership #MBAJourney #LondonBusinessSchool#HKUMBA #ConsultingInIndia #ConsultingInUK

She didn’t follow the rulebook. She rewrote it.Kriti Kakria went from shifting cities every few years as a child…to steering multi-million dollar transformation projects across the globe.An MBA split between London and Hong Kong.A consulting career across India and the UK.And a bold move into leadership at one of the Big 4 firms.But behind all the big titles?Are moments of doubt, pivots she didn’t plan for, and a version of success that isn’t often talked about.This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a global consulting career — and how to stay true to yourself while doing it.Full episode dropping soon.You’ll want to clear your calendar for this one.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#GlobalCareerJourney#Big4Leadership#MBAJourney #LondonBusinessSchool#HKUMBA#ConsultingInIndia#ConsultingInUK

What does it really take to get into McKinsey USA — without an MBA or a target school on your resume?Akash did it. And in this episode of Unfiltered by Being Consultant, he breaks it all down.We talk about:– Why he applied to McKinsey USA over India– How he positioned himself as a non-MBA candidate– What actually helped him crack the interview– Myths about “target schools” and traditional paths– Life inside McKinsey — and what surprised him mostWhether you're a student, lateral applicant, or just curious about consulting/strategy careers — this episode is a blueprint for breaking in unconventionally. Let us know what resonated most in the comments.Don’t forget to subscribe for more insider stories from top firms around the world!Join the world's largest community of aspiring and existing consultants here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/DlOSMrwIWWTE0C1mcYBi7FGaurav's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultingcareercoach/Follow Being Consultant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beingconsultant/?Akash's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akash-khamkar25/Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(02:15) - Akash's journey(15:20) - Consulting prep journey and challenges faced(22:32) - How did Akash land the interview?(27:00) - Importance of networking(33:15) - First few months at McKinsey(40:40) - When did Akash feel belonged to McKinsey?(53:00) - Work life hack for consultants(56:00) - How much do consultant's earn?(58:10) - Myths around consulting(1:00:30) - Why did Akash leave consulting?(1:03:33) - Benefits of consulting stint(1:07:50) - One thing Akash could have done differently(1:09:28) - Advice for consulting aspirants