Can I move my interview to an earlier date?

Question

This may not be a question often posed because folks typically want to postpone their interviews. But I want to move my upcoming BCG interview from mid-June to sometime this month - the earlier the better. Is it possible to ask the recruiter to reschedule my interview to an earlier date?

Let me explain my context a little bit - I recently interviewed with Bain and did intense preparation for 8 months for that interview. Unfortunately I did not get invited to the second round for Bain (due to circumstances of my nerves during the interview, which no amount of preparation can solve). I don't want to wait another month and a half for the BCG interview. I feel that I have exhausted every resource I can to prepare and now seeing diminishing returns with every additional practice (done over 100 case practice, spent a few thousand $ coaching, etc). I feel very prepared and I want to get over with the BCG interview.

Please advise. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi Jacob,

Have you found a solution to the problem of nerves? If not, I dont see the point of doing the interview earlier. If yes, then go ahead by all means & work this out with HR.

A lot of people, if not everyone feel the nerves. You are not alone. The key thing is to learn to keep them at distance and not let your mind go out of control. You are creating too much pressure and worrying too much about the outcome. Remember you choose to be in that interview, you want to be there and no one is forcing you (I hope). So why not just focus on giving your best & enjoying the experience. Regardless of the outcome, can you not trick your mind to just enjoy the experience?!

For this you need different kind of practice- meditation, yoga, sports etc whatever allows you to better manage your thoughts & emotions.

All the best. Feel free to message if you want to discuss this in detail. I have guided a number of candidates to better manage their anxiety during interviews and/or generally in life.

Answer 2

Hi there,

The short answer is yes you can. I literally had a candidate today move their interview up.

That said, this normally happens when you have an interview/offer from a competing firm (i.e. McKinsey). In this case BCG has an incentive to move you up.

I would not recommend lying. However, if you do want to move it up because you feel ready/prepared, you should absolutely reach out - it doesn't hurt to ask!

That said, it actually sounds like you're burned out and exhausted (100 cases is too much). In my mind, a multi-week gap of "doing nothing" could actually improve your performance...this let's the info/knowledge settle and reduces your stress. Just my 2 cents!

Answer 3

Hello!

Yes indeed, you should not have a lot of issues with that.

Usually, a very very good way to accelerate things is to tell them that you have another offer and have a deadline -this truly works like magic!-. Totally up to you, depending on how comfortable you are.

In any case, just call HR and should be quite an easy thing to achieve.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 4

Hi Jacob,

Sure, of course you can ask. No guarantee they will be able to accommodate, but no harm in asking.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 5

Can't hurt to ask.

Answer 6

Hey there,

Most definitely. Just give them a call to accelerate things!

Fingers crossed!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 7

Yes, there often is some flexibility - but why don't you just reach out to HR and ask?

Can I move my interview to an *earlier* date?

Can I move my interview to an earlier date?