Hey there - 

This really depends on the offices you are applying to and how much demand there is for those offices. It becomes a lot easier if your “75%” is a high demand office and your “5%” is a low demand office. 

However, I think that think about how significant that personal circumstance is. For eg. If you are able to stay in your current top top choice office for 6-12 months, you can join then and speak about need to transfer due to a personal circumstance. 

In the even that you would only join Bain if you are considered for the “5%” office, then I would make your circumstance known to HR asap with the entire explanation of the rationale and circumstance and request them to move your application to that office. 

Hi,

I would recommend in your case to continue your application with the 75% office. Once you get the offer, explain your situation and request a conversion of offer to the 5% office. 

It is not guaranteed that this will work and most likely you will need to have 1-2 conversations with local HR/ leadership. I know several people that managed to pull this off at Bain.

Once you are in the process, it is very unlikely that they allow you restart it at a different office.

Hopefully this helps.

Jorn

Hi there,

1) Is it possible to rearrange preferences with HR? Or will I have to send in a whole new application?

I would clarify this with HR as it may depend on which are the offices, but most likely the 5% office will have to reassess your application.

2) Will I have to retake the assessment for the 5% office despite already completing the assessment for the 75% office?

I would clarify this with HR as well. If the assessments are different most likely you will have to take the new one.

3) Will the interview structure change in any way considering the change in regions?

Possibly, depending on the office. Bain China for example uses a written case, unlike other offices.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

If you have already completed the 75% office assessment then it looks like the ball is already rolling…

You need to have a direct/open conversation with HR. Ultimately, they will be the only ones who truly know what can/can't be done and what the steps are.

I think in most cases you have to restart from scratch or you'll be said that it is impossible to go ahead with the new office.

If all of your offices are under the purview of the same management and HR team, then transferring between them can typically be accommodated more easily. If the offices are in different regions with different stakeholders calling the shots, then it’s usually a separate process as the local requirements and demands are likely different. 

You will get the most reliable information by speaking to your HR contact directly