2nd time interviewing

Interviewers at consulting firms typically have access to information about a candidate's previous interactions with the firm, including whether it's their second time interviewing. However, it's essential to remember that the interview process is designed to assess your skills, fit for the role, and problem-solving abilities. The fact that it's your second time interviewing may not significantly impact the type of case or questions you receive.

Interviewers aim to provide a fair and consistent experience for all candidates. While they may take note of your previous interview performance, they will still evaluate you based on your current performance in the interview. The cases and questions you receive are likely to be aligned with the standard format used for assessing candidates.

As for personalization, interviewers may tailor their questions to some extent based on your background and experiences mentioned in your resume or previous interviews. However, this is a standard practice for all candidates and not specific to whether it's your first or second time interviewing.

The key to success in the interview is to be well-prepared, showcase your problem-solving skills, and demonstrate your fit for the firm. Reflect on your previous interview experience, learn from any feedback you received, and use it to improve your performance in the current round.

Best of luck with your interview, and I hope you perform exceptionally well this time!

Hi,

This will depend on firm and office/system specific process

• i.e. what information HR/recruiting will share with the interviewer beforehand and how 
• i.e. how diligent HR/recruiting is in actually providing this information and/or whether the interviewer asks this

In my experience as an interviewer, this never really came up. Because this doesn't matter to me as an interviewer. What matters to me is whether you can meet the bar in the interview. When that interview took place or whether this was your first or second time really does not matter to me, the standard or case does not change. 

The one exception to this is the rare chance that you actually interview with the same interviewer again. If this was the case I'm sure the interviewer would give you a different case. But in my experience this is statistically very rare and HR/recruiting will likely assign you to a different interviewer anyway.

All the best!

Hi there,

If the same interviewer, he/she will likely remember - think that goes without saying. In such case, it might naturally change the case selection, as they want to see if you meet the expected standard, rather than you remembering a case. 

If a new interviewer, they will typically not know unless HR has called it out specifically (which is very unlikely to happen). Interviewer will also not personalize the case accordingly. Nothing to worry about and also no need to overthink - if you have what it takes, you'll be able to handle most cases.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Andi

Hi there,

They will know you have already interviewed. However, it will not change the case they give you.

That said, really focus in on whatever you “missed” in your last cycle. What were you weak on? Make sure to fix these weaknesses!

Here's some reading to help:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/pitfalls-case-interview-preparation

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/dos-and-donts-in-a-case-interview

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case

Hi there, 

No, they don't know. 

And even if they knew, they wouldn't treat you any different.

It's quite common for people to apply and go through the recruitment process several times. 

Best of luck this time!
Cristian

Hello,

Depends on the firm – at large firms they probably won’t be aware of this, and it will not impact the questions you get asked. HR will see that it is your second time applying on their end, but this shouldn’t really affect consideration of your candidacy this time round.