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Blacklist Client

In the Case-Interview, if the client is of an industry which I personally don't support, should I tell the interviewer?

I was doing a practice case, for a cigarette company, where the interviewer specifically asked if I have a problem with consulting a cigarette company. I definitely would not want to work on such a project, but for certain industries, I would be unsure if I would want to consult them or not (e.g. oil companies, certain countries, pharma in the US). Should I state this in an MBB interview if it comes up, or would this give me a disadvantage, as sometimes you cannot choose your client? 
(The case book said it would be a disadvantage, even if one says one would blacklist a cigarette company)

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edited on May 13, 2023

Hi Thomas,

To address your most pressing concern, I can't see you being asked to solve a Case based on a cigarette company during an actual interview for a Consulting role at a reputable firm.

Granted, there could be firms that might have such Cases in their recruiting library, but I cannot see MBB or the other solid Tier 2s trotting this out to their candidates.

The Vices, which include Gaming, Gambling, Alcohol, and Tobacco (some firms might throw in Private Guns and Recreational Psychoactives - think W33d), are rarely thrown in colleagues' faces…not even within the company.

Therefore, using a Case that is based on a vice for external engagement (i.e., candidate recruiting) would be highly unlikely.

That said, while recusing oneself from certain projects on moral grounds is tolerated (and at some firms, encouraged), I think the net you are casting is overly-pious and somewhat broad, and could backfire awkwardly if you were to become known around the office as Very Virtuous Vincent. This is once you land the role, of course.

I say this because:

1) Your exclusions seem pretty wide-reaching and would likely make you a staffing deadweight in many offices: no US pharma? No oil? Avoid certain countries? I mean, that could be an entire year for some consultants at certain offices so you could well be choosing between the Beach and your nemeses.

2) You are setting yourself up to be mocked as a hypocrite or an idealist of convenience: if you did become known as a conscientious dissenter and you happened to be on a case of mine that was free from the traits of vice you stated above, I wouldn't be able to resist highlighting inherent contradictions by saying things like: 

"Well, Vincent, how are you liking this banking restructuring project? So, 20% of incremental revenues we unlock are actually going to be funnelled into this oil and gas vertical integration initiative which our client has a stake in?

OR

“Too bad you turned down that Pharma project: the clients are actually setting up the first conglomerate-funded set of ESG initiatives to tackle the opioid crisis in the United Stated and invest in lower habit-forming formulas for chronic pain relief.”

You get the picture.. 

And unless you're a stellar performer, too much conscientious objecting could get YOU blacklisted.

Should you state your conscientious objections upfront in an interview, anyway? 

No. You should not. 

Not only would it be an unnecessary disclosure, I can't think of a single scenario where you would be asked this in an actual interview. There is no organic way for it to come up, so you should be safe in that regard.

As for what "the Casebook says…,” well, to paraphrase Roose Bolton as he chastised the Maid of Tarth in Harrenhal's cavernous Great Hall of a Hundred Hearths, Casebooks are a lot like Lannisters: you will occasionally find that they lie.

19
on May 09, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
@Thomas

^This is the answer. Tyrion drinks(hah) and knows things
Deleted
on May 10, 2023
My lord of Benjamin is kind to say so. ?
on May 06, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Thomas,

Q: Should I state this in an MBB interview if it comes up, or would this give me a disadvantage, as sometimes you cannot choose your client? 

I would not recommend stating it during the interview but rather expressing a preference when you join if that's needed. The fact you get a case in a case interview doesn’t mean you will have to work on that once you join the firm so don't see the need to express this upfront.

Please note that a company will try to staff you on what you would like but the more exceptions you bring, the more this could limit your growth opportunities there.

Good luck!

Francesco

Deleted user
on May 05, 2023

Hello,

While it's perfectly reasonable for you to not to want to work with clients of particular industries in practice, I would not mention this upfront in an interview. You won't generally get asked directly about it (i.e., you'd just be given a case about a cigarette company, not asked about whether you'd be willing to consult for such a client). If you are asked about it directly, I'd recommend saying something like “if I had concerns about the ethical practices of a client or the potential risks for the firms reputation in taking on such a client, I would raise these concerns to the firm's partnership". Once you're on the job, of course, you are free to advocate for yourself as to which clients you are willing to work with. 

16
on May 06, 2023
#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi Thomas! 

That's a great question to ask. 

At the end of the day, the extent to which a ‘no’ is generally accepted in society depends on how well it is communicated.

So I do believe there are elegant ways to say in an interview that you are not supportive of this particular industry, but that you're happy to think along with the interviewer about how to help the client. This is different from trying to be self-righteous and bash that respective industry. Perhaps the interviewer is currently serving clients in that industry and that would be a passive faux pas. 

Hope this helps!
Best,
Cristian

Ian
Coach
on May 07, 2023
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi Thomas,

This is culture/country dependent! You also have to read the interviewer. Finally, you have to go with your gut and trust your instincts.

For example, in Australia, being confident in voicing an opinion and doing what's right is highly valued. In the US, you're more expected to do whatever is needed, no questions ask.

This is generalizing, and, again, it's going to depend on you and the interviewer. But, different firms and different offices are going to have different angles here.

Now, all that said, you're a bit too worried here. The chance of this question being asked is like .5%.

Moreso, what is the lesson here for all future questions, no matter what they are?

  1. Understand your office
  2. Read your interviewer's body language
  3. Trust your gut
Pedro
Coach
on May 08, 2023
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

When you get these kind of questions, the first thing you should say is: “THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION. WHY DO YOU ASK?”

You have to understand why they are asking that. Then you answer, based on your values, but don't be a puritan (unless that's who you really are). I don't expect the firm to ask that because it will also put THEM at a disadvantage,

If you say no, then that may put you at a disadvantage.

If you say it depends (e.g. fine with cost cutting, not really with increasing their customer base), shows maturity and flexibility. And moral standards. They may value those or not. If they don't I guess you don't want to work there anyway.

If you say yes, then you shouldn't have a problem. But even with that you have some risks. Maybe they are testing your moral grounds (you can state; “in general, I would not have a problem”. This translates that you are open to it, but will still analyse on a case by case basis). 

Finally, if you want to avoid the whole well established industries you mentioned, make sure you pick the right offices. Because that can really be a limitation.

Dennis
Coach
on May 07, 2023
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi Thomas,

this is of course a very hypothetical scenario. Ultimately you have to showcase in an interview that you can solve a case. 

So if you already say that you don't like what the case is about or who it is supposedly for, you make it harder on yourself. It is just a simulation and does not mean you are committing to project types should you accept an offer based on good interview performance.

Also, “consulting a cigarette company” can have a variety of facets. Maybe the case was about helping that company operate in a more environmentally friendly manner rather than helping them to increase the number of cigarettes sold. It is important to have your moral principles and to stand by them, but it is just as important to know how to pick your battles. 

In general though, I doubt that any reputable consulting firm trying to attract talent would incorporate inherently controversial topics in their recruiting processes. There is a high risk that this would alienate people.

Best of luck

Anonymous A
on May 13, 2023

can you say which case book was this?

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