Handle MBB interviews while working at a Tier-2

Question

Hi there,

I am in a very stressful situation (from my point of view). In 10 days I will start my internship at a Tier-2 firm. At the same time, some days ago, I had the First Round with an MBB and I passed it. So HR scheduled my first interview of Final Round in 20 days at 6 p.m., so 10 days after my onboarding at the other firm. How could I handle this in your opinion? Will I be able to have the interview, without jeopardizing me with the Tier-2 firm? I already tried to speed-up the process in order to finish it before the onboarding but it is not possible.

Thank you

Answer 1

Hi there -

1. Block time as soon as possible and speak with HR or your manager and let them know that you have a personal commitment and you need to be away for xx hours and say you can complete your work around it (before or after). Firms are pretty good about giving you that time when needed as long as you have given notice and there is a contingency plan

2. If there is a meeting or event at your work you absolutely cannot miss, speak with the MBB firm to reschedule. Unless it is a recruiting day, the firms are flexible in changing the time to work your schedule as well

Do not worry about your jeopardizing your chances at the Tier 2 firm. Such situations are not uncommon. I had the exact same situation while I was interviewing for Bain, my T2 firm's internship was on and it all worked out. My interviews with Bain were during the day time (9am - 12 noon) - I had told them that I had a personal commitment that I cannot miss and If its ok, I will work later than usual to finish whatever needs to be done.

Answer 2

What exactly is your worry? If it is getting permission to interview I would block the time far in advance and make sure everyone on your team knows you will be unavailable then due to a personal commitment.

If it is related to time for preparation then you will obviously need to plan accordingly (weekends/late nights etc. if needed).

Answer 3

Hi there,

I completely agree with Udayan. You're overcomplicating this! Block out that time on your calendar. Let anyone who needs to know that you have that time blocked off. You do not need to say it's for another firm. Just say it's a personal matter and you unfortunately cannot move it. If they truly push (they shouldn't), pull the health card.

Finally, make sure you're properly planned out all your work. Do not have unfinished work the day before/day off. Frontload your days to make sure this won't affect your deliverables.

Answer 4

Everyone has the right to block out time in their calendars for personal things without having to provide details. Especially at 6 pm where some people also have dinner or take a break for exercising, etc.

You will be an intern just over a week in and no critical path item for a project will land on your plate. Just make sure you communicate proactively with your manager in advance so that expectations can be clearly managed.

Answer 5

Here's what to do:

- Once you join the T2, let them know you have a personal commitment at that time/day. Confirm there's no conflict with specific project deliverables.

- If there's relevant a conflict (e.g. client steering committee next day, or during that day and they want you to be there), you can move the MBB meeting towards a later date. This won't be an issue to MBB and won't hurt your application.

- If there's no conflict, just block the time and let them know it is blocked. Don't worry too much about it. Usually firms are not heavily reliant on interns work (they can easily manage being without you for a few hours), and they also want you to have a good experience. And if they reeeeealy need that piece of work to be done that day, you can always work AFTER you have the interviews.

One way or the other, you'll be fine.