I quit my MBB consulting job to help others land jobs at top firms. Here's what separates the candidates who get offers.
Business Insider
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Jack Kim, a former consultant at Bain & Company, left his high-paying job to co-found Casebuddy, a mentorship program aimed at helping others secure roles in top consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG. After struggling himself to break into consulting despite attending the London School of Economics, Kim realized that many candidates overlook a critical factor known as the "airplane test." This test, a key part of consulting hiring processes, assesses whether a candidate would be comfortable sitting next to a partner on a 12-hour flight—essentially gauging culture fit and likability. Kim emphasizes that while case interviews are important, it’s often the behavioral and cultural aspects that determine success in the final stages of recruitment.
Kim’s journey began at Parthenon (now part of EY), where he worked for over a year before landing roles at MBB firms like Bain. After three and a half years, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship, driven by a desire for fulfillment beyond traditional consulting. His mentorship program offers personalized guidance from resume building to case interviews, with prices ranging from $1,300 to $6,700 depending on the level of customization. The program has already helped place students from non-target universities into top firms, showcasing its effectiveness.
The "airplane test" is a critical component of consulting hiring that many candidates underestimate. It focuses on whether a candidate is someone enjoyable to work with and aligns well with the firm’s culture. Kim learned this lesson firsthand after failing seven final-round interviews during his university years. He highlights that success in consulting requires not just technical skills but also the ability to connect with senior partners and demonstrate likability. This insight forms the core of Casebuddy’s approach, aiming to prepare candidates holistically for both case interviews and cultural fit assessments.
For readers interested in business and finance, Kim’s story underscores the importance of understanding hiring processes beyond technical competencies. His experience demonstrates how entrepreneurship can emerge from personal challenges and a desire to solve problems others face. By focusing on mentorship, Kim has created a niche service that addresses a real need in the consulting industry—preparing candidates not just for interviews but for long-term success within firms.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 3/3/2026