Unfortunate Recruiting Season

I've been in recruiting for full-time in consulting since July and I barely got any interviews due to a combination of the competitive industry and the effect of covid. I managed to land a first round at a great consulting firm (think OW, LEK), and I was preparing like crazy before each round. The firm stretched the process to about a month and a half (as opposed to some other firms my friends interviewed at which began and ended in 2-3 weeks) for this particular office. I managed to get pretty far in the rounds and I got positive feedback from the interviewers so I thought I had a great shot at landing the offer. I just had a partner chat  left since I already completed several case rounds. I got notified that they up and cancelled the position altogether and would notify me of things changed.  

Since most firms have finished interviewing and applying to Deloitte for the 4th time to get rejected doesn't seem ideal, I doubt I'll have the chance to work in the field of consulting out of undergrad. I'm unbelievably frustrated that I spent months preparing, networking, and ultimately aiming to work in a field that all went to crap over a single day. 

I've read this forum a lot, so I get that (a) complaining won't do any good, (b) boutiques may still hire and there is the January wave of applications, (c) the situation may improve, but I'm entering a exam season so I'll have less time to dedicate for the recruitment process with less availability altogether. 

Got any advice I haven't heard? 

3 Comments
 

Focus on getting a decent job in general, even if not consulting. Your life is not over, you'll have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do + execute

Also, remember that sometimes you can prepare excellently but just get bad luck, and that's what seems to have happened to you this year with the state of the economy. It's okay to be disappointed but please keep in mind it really wasn't your fault

 
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I’ve applied to 60 places got 3 interviews and all three pulled their positions due to COVID. I’m feeling pretty defeated and embarrassed by the fact I chose a crappy time to graduate. After barely securing any interviews at firms I wanted to work for with time I still had to focus on applications, what difference will 20-30 make at firms that barely qualify for within my field (of business, not even consulting)? Not to mention school didn’t magically stop for me - I still have midterms, assignments, final exams and extracurricular activities alongside this never ending search for employment.

I feel like I’m just not going to land a full time at this rate. Either due to the economy, lack of motivation or both. I get it’s in poor taste to vent, but like I said, I’m feeling pretty defeated.

 

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