Quality of Life is Key: Check out Vault's annual QOL ranking

Which firm is right for you? Well, that depends. Are you looking for a firm that focuses on cultivating a cohesive firm culture (43 percent of survey takers tell us they are)? A firm that won't make you devote every waking hour to its service? Perhaps a firm that takes sustainability seriously? Is a big pay day your biggest concern? Are you looking for a firm that takes a sink-or-swim approach to new associates, or one that fosters more formal learning?

We can tell you which firms excel in these and other areas in our annual quality of life rankings. Because while a prestigious company name on your resume can set you apart from the pack, it’s the everyday details that often matter the most when it comes to choosing a new employer. That's why these quality of life rankings play a big role in our overall Vault Consulting 50 release, which we unveiled a few weeks ago.

In our survey, consultants were asked to rate their own firms in a variety of categories. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, respondents evaluated their firms in the following quality of life areas: Overall satisfaction, firm culture, hours in the office, work/life balance, travel requirements, relationships with supervisors, interaction with clients, formal training, promotion policies, compensation, selectivity, green initiatives, overall business outlook, and firm leadership. A firm’s score in each category is simply the average of consultants’ ratings of their firms in that category.

Below you'll find the firms that claimed the No. 1 position in each quality-of-life category, along with a choice quote from a consultant at that firm. And be sure to check out all of our quality of life rankings! We think you'll find them particularly helpful in your next job search.

Overall satisfaction: McKinsey

“I cannot imagine a more interesting place to work”

Firm culture: Bain & Company

“A Bainie never lets another Bainie fail”

Hours in the office: Triage Consulting Group

“I've never worked above 55 hours”

Work/life balance: Triage Consulting Group

“On weekends, TCG would prefer that I go on a hike or attend a baseball game instead of coming into the office”

Travel requirements: Cornerstone Research

“If you get to travel, it actually is more of an honor”

Relationships with supervisors: McKinsey

“Surprisingly supportive, warm and welcoming”

Interaction with clients: Corporate Executive Board

“Unique ability to engage multiple clients in a single day”

Formal training: McKinsey

“I've never seen another organization more focused on people development”

Promotion policies: McKinsey

“Caring meritocracy”

Compensation: The Boston Consulting Group

“Incredibly generous; far beyond our competitors”

Selectivity: McKinsey

“McKinsey provides case coaches before each round of interviewing - very helpful!”

Green initiatives: Triage Consulting Group

“Compost and recycling bins, low-flow toilets, double-sided printing, $1,000 employee stipend toward purchase of a hybrid vehicle, organic cleaning supplies, biodegradable plastic cups…”

Overall business outlook: McKinsey

“Clients are beginning to re-engage”

Firm leadership: McKinsey

“Values-driven” executives