Free chat with staffing manager before final round interview

Question

Hi guys,

I'm a final round candidate (EP) at one of the tier 1 firms. Recently, I got an invitation from my recruiter to have a 'free talk' with a staffing manager at the office which I applied to (the one who will map me to projects if I get hired eventually) about the case staffing process and discuss about my background before the final round interview. According to the recruiter, it's just a casual chat, not a fit interview and has no implication on the recruitment outcome.

I'm perplexed why the firm does so before giving out the offer. Is it a common practice? Anyone out there has similar experience?

Best,

Answer 1

Hi Anonymous,

this is definitely not usual. Since HR mentioned your will discuss your background, I would still properly prepare for that – until you receive an offer all the interactions can be used for your evaluation, whether formally part of the process or not.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 2

Hi,

It's not a common practice, however, it can be the local office specifics. Don't stress too much - you'll know it soon.

Best

Answer 3

They may use your answer to pick your interviewer

Answer 4

Hello!

Congrats for moving to final round!

As it has been outlined, its very similar, but :

Cases you can expect are more "free riding" - less organized than the ones your found in the 1st round or most prep pages
Stronger emphasis in the FIT part, as outlined before by other coaches.

If you are interested in deepening your knowledge and preparation on the FIT part, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 3 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:

- Intro and CV questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/introduction-and-cv-questions-fit-interview-preparation-200

- Motivational questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/motivational-questions-fit-interview-preparation-201

- Behavioural questions (ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE) >https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/behavioral-questions-entrepreneurial-drive-fit-interview-preparation-211

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch!

Answer 5

Indeed a strange offer. Staffing managers are usually not involved in recruiting. Did you maybe mention the staffing process as a key topic of questions earlier in the process?