MBB process question
So guys, longtime lurker here. Currently I'm a student just graduated from university with a STEM degree, and while I do have some offers, I sought to try my hand at management consulting. Met with an MBB partner who shared some background with me, we connected quite well and he offered to pass my resume through for internal referral.
Just wanted to know how effective is the referral process vis a vis the standard process. Also will I be dinged because of a relatively mediocre academic GPA via this process (I have some top research papers to compensate for that)? Otherwise the resume is stellar, even in his opinion. Dinged as in, before I even get an interview.
If a partner refers you, you're basically good to go for an interview. Better get started on those cases!
Thanks! That really reassures me a lot.
On a side note, are there any interview differences between McKinsey and BCG and Bain? As in the kind of cases they provide?
McKinsey is interviewer-led. And depending on the office, they might administer the PST as well.
BCG and Bain are interviewee-led. Sometimes they'll have a written case in the second round as well, but it does depend on the office.
I second what aspiringchimp said. Pretty much guaranteed interview and then you'll be treated like anyone else. M-BB interview style is right, too. Also, be ready to talk about your less-than-stellar GPA during the interview in case it pops up (nothing big, just a couple sentences).
Thanks Ruhm and aspiringchimp. Been checking up quite a lot of your previous advice too. If the interview is pretty much guaranteed, how much time does it take to get the invite? The website mentions within 10 days of applying online, but upon checking glassdoor, they mentioned the process would take on average 1-3 months. Would the timeline be narrowed in my case because of the referral? Thanks and appreciate the help you guys give on the forums.
You're off-cycle, so it might take a bit longer than normal. However, it should be within 10 days or so if they're hiring.
I love Glassdoor for reviews, but man they are horrible when it comes to timelines and salary data.
Off-cycle might take longer indeed. That time can also depend on geographic location. E.g. Some Western Europe offices are stricter when it comes to interview cycles than others. Either way, it's out of your hands; I wouldn't freak out too much.
Goodluck! The timing might be random (for my experience) as they also need to match with interviewer's schedule. Always be prepared - I had a one day notice for my interview after a couple of weeks' silence.
just curious. what if it were to be a manager at bain or the counterpart at other MBB?
Not too sure how it would work, but if I were to guess: For an BA/A/AC then I think it would be fine and should lead to an interview. For higher it might be a bit trickier. Nevertheless, all these firms have referral systems that tend to lead to interview spots.
It doesn't give you automatically an interview but it definitely increases your chances
So guys, to give an update, today I received a rejection email from the recruiting team, almost 10 days after I applied online. Feel really dejected, since I wasn't even given the chance to give the PST. Right now, I'm thinking whether my resume was that poor as to not warrant moving on, even after a referral.
Now I'm wondering how I'll manage the conversation with an alum this weekend, who works there.
Wow, are you sure the partner passed through the resume? I've never once heard of someone being dinged if the partner sticks his or her neck out. And this is as someone pretty heavily involved with the recruiting process.
How good/bad is your GPA?
GPA is in the average range for my school (2:1 equivalent)
Another update folks. I checked with the partner and an associate I was in touch with, and asked them about the automated ding response. They both said that the office has two cycles for interviews - one for November and one for March - and that I would be considered for the March cycle. They told me not to bother with the ding, since the referral application is completely separate from the online one. So I'm still under consideration, only that it's gonna take a whole lit of time.
That being said, now I have to decide between an offer I have, and waiting for the interview call. FML.
I had a friend who went through the exact same thing. Strangely enough she got dinged in November as-well but then ended up getting an Interview in March. (Not in the UK though;)
So you should be set; Mind filling us on what eventually happened?
Any updates?
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