Need advice: No return offer from MBB summer internship, what to do next ?
Just had an undergrad summer internship from an MBB firm, didn't get a return offer. Can anyone advise me on how I should position myself when I apply to the other 2 MBB firms for full time positions? Is it impossible to get offers from other firms if they know that I wasn't given a return offer?
Major feedback I got from supervisors: Solid performance on the client-facing and team collaboration aspect, but lacking hard skills like excel modelling, data crunching, etc. (In the internship I made mistakes on an excel model that I was responsible to build and hence no offer).
My current plan is to brush up my hard skills in my final year and at the same time apply to the other consulting firms, any thoughts on what I should tell the interviewers about my situation?
Hey -- chin up! You're going to me fine.
Sorry to hear that things didn't work out with the firm this summer, but here's some advice...which, is mostly just my personal opinion:
1) You can definitely get offers at the other two firms. These are three, completely independent companies...there's no cross-MBB recruiting team that shares information. Having the internship on your resume will probably help you get interviews with the others. (This is especially true with another one of the MBB firms if you a) got an offer last year / made it to the decision round last year; or b) they didn't interview you last year).
2) How should you position yourself? Others might have different opinions, but I'd go with something along the lines of, "not getting an offer from [insert firm] was one of the most significant learning experiences of my life". That approach lets you talk about how you have all the same great strengths that led that firm to see potential in you, but now you've had an opportunity to reflect on how to limit your weaknesses. This last point is especially key...
I wouldn't give an explanation like, "I made a mistake so I didn't get the offer." They'll think there's more to that story. I think you're better off with, "Since this past summer I've realized a weakness of mine is that I'm hesitant to ask for help. Unfortunately, that weakness cost me an offer with my previous firm, since I put myself in a position that resulted in me making a mistake on my main summer deliverable. My previous supervisors were very complementary about my customer relationship skills, my intellect, and my ability to be a team player, but ultimately I lacked some of the hard skills -- like Excel -- I needed to succeed. I really regret not seeking out my teammates for help. This is life lesson has really stuck with me, and I know it won't be a problem in the future." That way, you own the mistake, and you also own the fact that you put yourself in the position to make the mistake. And, you've promised to grow from it.
Good luck!
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