Hi GuysI am starting as a Senior Associate Consultant at Bain in four months, and would like to hit the ground running (or at least not falling). I am doing a PhD in Neuroscience and only have a couple of years of part-time business school. So my question to you is "what are the most important things to work on the next months to prepare for my first day at Bain"? I am thinking mostly about the different tools used at Bain; Excel, powerpoint or if you have some insights as to what they use the most!?Thank you very much for your help, it is much appreciated!/Santini

Get your suits dry cleaned and shoes polished. Get some appropriately matching double-cuffed new shirt / tie combinations. Consider getting a new set of business-appropriate luggage. Get some good rest and spend lots of time with family and friends, the rest will all fit into place. They've hired you which means you've filled them with absolute confidence about your ability to hit the ground running. Good luck - you'll be fine.

clench your teeth

Say goodbye to your loved ones - you won't be seeing them for a while.

To extend the topic slightly - I'm due to move from industry to a consulting firm shortly. What's tips would you give for the first 100 days?

less fatuously than my previous answer - build your network, meeting as many people around the organisation as possible and understanding how they relate to whatever you will be doing. as input to those meetings, have a clear answer around what your personal value proposition is, ie what can the person you are meeting get out of you that will motivate them to involve you going forward...

Having first day jitters is normal. But don't stress yourself too much. With the credentials that you have, I'm sure everything will be fine. Goodluck. [url]http://www.headhunt.com.sg/blog/index.php/first-day-jitters[/url]

SSSS*it Shower Shave

It is customary to:(a) develop ninja skills in excel / powerpoint.(b) network like a mad-man(c) turn up to the first day of work naked.J

In general, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. So make sure you do.Make yourself useful and available, don't just sit around. If assigned on a project, be enthusiastic even if all of its variables look crap (i.e. team you don't seem to like, industry you are not interested in, long hours, boring/useless task, annoying location, mad travelling, idiotic client etc).If you start off on the beach/bench, that is actually a great occasion to network. Look at past projects and market propositions, find the ones that you'd like to try, see what partners and directors work on those, get to know them and ask to be involved. Much better than having a scheduler assigning you to something totally random.If you belong to the lowest two/three tiers of the food chain, there's no excuses not to be a total ninja in MS Office. Learn those keyboard shortcuts, they might make the difference between finishing at 11pm and an allnighter.In general, make yourself known and wanted. There's nearly no difference between selling yourself to your seniors and selling your company to your client.

I'd prepare by brushing up your CV and getting in contact with a few head hunters.What is the average career duration expectancy at Bain again?Plus, can anyone remind me what sort of hours a Senior Associate at Bain works?Also, I recommend that you periodically take stock of what hours you're working. Then divide them into your salary to calculate your hourly rate. Suddenly, you may find you're better off working elsewhere, particularly once you take into account the effect of income tax. I mean, anyone can earn a lot by working very long hours right?Consider this - is it a "job" or a "lifestyle" you're taking on? And if the latter, what sort of lifestyle? A fun one, or a boring corporate one?You may find that they are a dream employer and just right for you - I wish you the best.