Chino Esguerra

Bain & Company Singapore

Hometown: Manila, Philippines

MBA program: INSEAD

Undergraduate school, major: Ateneo de Manila University

Focus of current case: Private equity due diligence on a food company in Malaysia

Why did you choose to work at Bain? I wanted to switch careers from finance, and consulting really appealed to me because of the interesting, varied nature of the work, along with the flexibility it gives in terms of future opportunities.

The more I learned about Bain during recruiting and at school, it became clear that—for me at least—it was head and shoulders above any other firm. Private equity is something I’d be interested in down the road, so the strength of Bain’s PE practice was a big draw.

More than anything, however, Bain’s great culture really shone through in all of the encounters and conversations I had with people at Bain. Each person I spoke to was full of warmth, openness, and a willingness to help; it really was quite distinctive.

What did you love about the business school you attended? What I loved about INSEAD was the opportunity to learn from such a diverse group of truly special individuals. There is a richness to the variety of perspectives, life experiences and areas of expertise, all coupled with a collective openness to share and help. It created an amazing environment to learn from and connect with your classmates.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far at Bain? I have worked in the Private Equity Group at Bain almost exclusively since I joined, even as a summer associate while still at INSEAD. One thing that senior members of the practice have really imparted to me is that, when we are working on a due diligence, we are not just compiling a fact base or preparing a report. Our value is in providing investment advice. This requires not just bringing “the best of Bain” in terms of analysis and experience, but also having an empathetic understanding of our clients. I have found that placing the client at the center of our work helps drive the most value.

Which manager or peer has had the biggest impact on you at Bain, and how has he or she made you a better consultant? Bennett and Gina, both managers in the Singapore office, have been great mentors and friends to me from the start of my Bain journey. They were among the first people I spoke with at Bain when I was going through recruiting, and their inputs were invaluable in both my interview preparation and my overall decision to choose a career at Bain.

When I joined Bain as a summer associate in 2017, Bennett always made himself available for me—not just giving advice on getting up to speed with the work, but, more importantly, checking to make sure that I was comfortable and happy. Gina was one of my first supervisors when I joined full time, and she really gave me amazing opportunities to take ownership of my work with an eye toward developing my skill set for the long term.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to work for Bain? Speak to as many Bain consultants as you can! They are all very open and happy to talk. I think it is a great way to experience the special culture Bain has; I really do believe that Bainies are great ambassadors for the firm. It’s also important to get a sense of whether Bain, and consulting more broadly, is right for you, and to try to get to know people from the offices you are considering. Each office is unique in terms of vibe and the mix of work.

My greatest personal or professional accomplishment is…when my wife and I had our first baby in October 2017, I was in the middle of finishing my MBA at INSEAD, and I had just signed my full-time offer to join Bain the following year. In less than a year, I had essentially gone from a childless banker who had never worked outside the Philippines to changing careers entirely, moving to a new country, and also suddenly being responsible for a new human. It was challenging, but it’s been great!