Hello, so I am applying to fulltime roles in Germany right now but find it a little bit hard.

Yes to both, but with some caveats.

1. Can you do a consulting internship after a Master's?

In Germany, some firms allow this, but it depends on the firm and your status.

Many internships are formally targeted at students who are still enrolled. If you've already graduated, some firms may not consider you eligible for their internship programs.

That said, there are exceptions. I've seen candidates do internships after graduation, particularly if:

• they are between degrees (e.g., before a PhD or MBA)
• they have a specific arrangement with the firm
• the office has particular hiring needs

So the answer is: possible, but don't assume every firm will allow it.

2. Can you apply for an internship after being rejected for a full-time role?

Usually yes.

The bigger question is whether the firm thinks an internship is the right entry point for your profile.

If the rejection was because:

• you lacked experience
• your interview performance wasn't strong enough
• the firm wasn't convinced about full-time readiness

then an internship can sometimes be a reasonable alternative.

If the rejection was due to a more fundamental issue (e.g., poor fit with the firm's requirements), then applying for an internship immediately afterward may not change much.

My advice would be to understand why you were rejected. That will tell you much more than whether you should apply for an internship or another full-time role.

On the post-Master's internship, yes, it's genuinely possible in Germany. More common here than in most markets. MBB, Tier 2, and Big 4 all run post-graduate Praktikum programs, with conversion to full-time around 50 to 70 percent at MBB. Just frame it as a chance to learn the firm, not a fallback. Watch the 6-month cap and minimum wage rules.

On reapplying after a rejection, possible but depends. CV screen rejection gives you more room. Final round rejection within 6 months is tougher, the system flags your file. Your best shot is applying to a different practice, showing real profile change (new project, certification), and ideally getting a referral.

Apply broadly. Don't anchor on one firm.

Good luck.

Hey there,

See below my perspective:

1. Possible, but very Firm-specific: some firms have strict rules on internships (e.g., max x months after graduation), others are more flexible

2. You can, but your odds are not great and many companies have a strict 6/12-month waiting period!

Best,
Tom

Hi there,

A couple of thoughts:

1. Internship after a Master's?
Yes, it is possible, but it depends on the firm. Some consulting firms explicitly require you to still be enrolled as a student, while others are open to recent graduates for internship or trainee positions. You would need to check the eligibility criteria of each specific posting.

2. Applying for an internship after a full-time rejection?
Potentially yes, but this depends heavily on the firm's recruiting policies. Some firms treat internships and full-time roles as separate processes, while others apply the same reapplication cooldown period to both.

One important point: you did not mention which firm rejected you. Without knowing the company, it is difficult to give a precise answer because MBB, Tier-2 firms, Big 4, and boutiques all have different rules regarding reapplications and internship eligibility.

If you share the firm(s), people here can give much more targeted advice.

hey! 

• Yes, you can still do a consulting internship after a master’s, but only at firms that explicitly allow “Praktikum nach dem Studium”. In Germany, BCG, Bain, Roland Berger, Kearney, and many boutiques accept post‑master interns as long as you haven’t started a full‑time job yet. It’s a common path into full‑time consulting.
• Yes, you can apply for an internship even if you were rejected for the full‑time role. The pipelines are separate. A full‑time rejection doesn’t block you from an internship unless the firm explicitly told you there’s a cool‑off period. If not, you’re free to apply again, just sharpen your CV positioning and story.

Alessa

Hi there, 

It's indeed a challenging time for applications at the moment.

Re Q1 - this differs from firm to firm, but my expectation is that it shouldn't be a problem. Do ask the recruiter upfront however to minimise any disappointment.

Re Q2 - Most firms have a 1y reapplication freeze, regardless of the role. They are flexible with it, but if you've just been rejected for a full time role, I doubt you can now reapply for an internship.

Best,
Cristian