Please help- how to describe MBB special situation on resume?

Question

Hi all,

I'm currently entering my final year of university this coming fall (undergrad, target school, target degree, fairly strong extracurriculars, excellent grades). During my penultimate year, I managed to secure an interview with an MBB international office, and passed through all the way to final round.

The office eventually told me that I passed through the interview process successfully- that I was an exceptional candidate, and that they really wanted me this summer. Yet because of visa issues this year, they couldn't offer me the internship. Instead, they invited me to apply for the full-time role come next year, and said the partners had agreed to waive all casing interviews, with the only interview a single fit interview.

While I'm very pleased I'm MBB-caliber, how do I describe this situation? I'm currently on a research internship this summer exploring an academic interest, but ultimately I do want to enter consulting full-time after graduating. I'll be re-applying to other MBB offices this coming academic year, as well as accepting the invitation to re-apply for this specific office.

Keeping this in mind, I'm wondering how I should put this on my resume- surely this is well worth putting on a CV? Should I say I had (in a sense) an MBB internship offer this summer? Should I say I have (practically speaking) an MBB full-time offer? Any/all help is much appreciated! :)

Answer 1

Hi there,

1) Should I say I had (in a sense) an MBB internship offer this summer?

If you haven't received a formal offer I wouldn’t say so as technically it’s not true (even if just due to a visa issue).

2) Should I say I have (practically speaking) an MBB full-time offer?

I wouldn’t add this as you haven’t done yet the final and received the offer.

Unfortunately, I don’t see ways you can add this experience to your CV. On the other hand, you still have an excellent chance with the MBB that requires a single fit interview, which is a great opportunity.

Additionally if you have passed the screening already with one MBB, you should have good chances with the others. If possible I would also look for a referral for them.

You can find a few CV tips below:

▶ How to Craft a Great CV for Consulting

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 2

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation. Like others have mentioned, if you did not actually get the offer, you can't put it down.

The positives on this front are:

This specific firm will waive case interviews so this ‘point’ you are trying to include in is moot
You know that you have what it takes to pass the screening and the interviews for one MBB firm, which makes it highly likely you can also do the same for the others

In any case, what matters is your actual interview performance if you were to interview with the other 2 firms (or any other T2) firm.

All the best!

Answer 3

Hi there,

Well, that's certainly the best bad news one could get!

Well done getting to where you did. It well and truly means you have what it takes and should not be worried about your future.

Unfortunately you cannot put this in your CV in any way shape or form.

However, make sure to apply to the full-time role, and, when you do, reach out to HR and the PArtner. Also make sure to apply to the other major consultancies.

Answer 4

Hi there,

I'm really sorry to hear about this.

It's really unfortunate.

And this seems to be happening rather often these days with the changes in the market.

To answer your question, I woulnd't put it on the CV. The CV is meant to be a highlight of your impact. If you didn't start / do the job, then you didn't really have an impact there. And if there was no official offer, then you also can't say that you were ‘incoming’.

There are many other things thought that you can put on your CV to elevate your profile. Feel free to send your CV to me for a quick analysis.

Also, to avoid such situations in the future, you need a strong application strategy. Sharing below how to build one:

Free Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian