US MBB advanced degree candidate, recently went through the Bain Advantage Interview and unfortunately did not pass. However, the feedback given to me did not makes sense. My first interviewer called me and stated that I was not “conversational” enough during the interviews and didn't engage the interviewer enough. However, I've cased with multiple MBB consultants and applicants and this has never been an issue, neither did I notice that during my interview with Bain.
For more context, my second interview with another interviewer at Bain went well. I had an enjoyable time with the interviewer in general, and interviewer told me unprompted that I did an excellent job and I don't need to worry about the results. I also felt that I did similar during my first interview, at least case-wise.
However, I remembered distinctively that my first interviewer asked me specifically which practice areas I'm interested in for my target office, and I mentioned briefly that I'm interested in two specific practice areas given my background but also open to other options. However, in hindsight I probably shouldn't have done that given that target office basically has no work in those two areas (aiming for that office due to family being there). I'm wondering if me saying those areas got me labeled as a bad “fit” for that office.
I have McKinsey and BCG interviews coming up, and those target offices have plenty of work in my two desired practice areas. Will it be okay for me to express my interest in those areas during my interviews with the two other MB? Thanks!
