Is it true that everyone is on the same footing once you get an interview?

Hi,

From my point of view, it's true. 

When I was an interviewer at McKinsey, we were only looking at the interview performance to decide for next round. The resume was sometimes used to explain weaknesses but never was used as selection tool for next round.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

This is tricky… In theory yes. In practice, not necessarily, and moreover that depends on the office. But not in a significant way.

Meaning that it can still influence, even in an unconscious way (that's why now they don't show CVs to interviewers in some companies). 

In other cases, interviewers tend to particularly value people from certain schools and backgrounds (once again, remember that this really depends on the office/country), so it feels that there's some “double counting”. However, and thankfully, this is rare.

The truth is that, in general, most interviewers just care about your performance during an interview. Nothing else matters. And if you are good… then you are good. (and if you are not… tough luck, you just won't get the offer).

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, it is true that in your interviews, only your performance will be assessed. While your application files and a strong referral will ensure you pass the screening phase of the application process, they will not be actively assessed anymore.
• Still, given that with most strategy consulting companies, interviewers will receive your application files so that they can properly prepare the personal fit part of the interview, they might still have an impact on what questions you are asked.
• Lastly, in order to avoid any direct impact of your application files on interviewers, they are regularly trained on unconscious biases that might occur.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Yes, from my perspective everyone is the same once they have their foot in the door.

I interviewed many candidates for McKinsey and honestly didn't care too much about their CVs and I certainly didn't let them influence my scoring/recommendation.

My focus as an interviewer was on PEI and problem solving ability, for which scoring is done exclusively on the basis of the evidence provided in the interview and not the CV.

Best of luck for your recruitment journey!

Moritz

Hey,

well yes its about 100% performance, but you will likely see different questions and a different benchmark, e.g. Engineers vs Business Background. So I would not call this the “same footing” MBBs always try to achieve a certain level of diversity in backgrounds, as with gender, and ethnicity. 

Before the interview, the interview checks you resume of course and notes questions about certain aspects of your career. So the more exciting facts you can share in your resume, the more is likely to transfer into the interview itself. Thus, I advise, creating a narrative and sharp/unique profile in the resume already (e.g. don't write in hobbies just “reading”)

Cheers,
Chris

 

Hi there, 

Would say yes that’s generally true in terms of getting from first round to second/third round but at the end of the interview process, when it’s time to decide on offer or not, your whole profile is discussed (CV/CL/grades/interview performance etc.) to determine fit and capabilities (vs other candidates) 
 

Cheers,

Tom

Hi there, 

That's true, in theory. 

As in, the interviewers only assess your performance in the interview. The whole CV screening is done at that point. 

However, the fact of the matter is that the only information that the interviewers receive about you prior to the interview (in most offices) is your CV and cover letter. Of course, a distinctive CV and cover letter are going to reflect well on you, so it makes sense to do them right. 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

can confirm - MBB interview (once you have your “foot in the door”) is one of the most “performance-oriented” and democratic process I have witnessed in my professional life: I am not saying perfectly democratic, but a good proxy.

Signed: guy coming from bottom-5% family income bracket in my home country + w/ no connections to any MBB/T2 firm + no target school who got an offer

Hi there,

it is true that the performance in your interviews is what counts in the end. However, as you mention the interviewers see your CV, there might be areas of overlap with their own career they will talk about (e.g., same university). Also if you have experience in the field a case is about, this might raise expectations.

Cheers,

Andreas

Ah, so goes the game of telephone tag!

Yes, of course a better resume gives you a leg up in your interviews. If you are inherently a better candidate and have better experiences, and if your resume looks better to the interviewer, of course you are on a better footing!

When people say “same footing”, they mean there is no nepotism/favouritism. They mean that, referrals don't help you in the interview stage. They mean, you need to individually prove to each specific interviewer that you are fit, and that happens in a closed room without outside influence.

What else is in that room? Your resume! So, of course a better resume helps you do better in the interview!

So it'll vary by firm and by office. But broadly, you're on the same footing. If you have someone who is very strongly routing for you and it's between you and one other person, then maybe that person routing for you is what will tip you over the line.