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Are MBB applications confidential?

Hey!

I am a consultant at a Tier 2 firm (think S&/OW). I love it here and the projects are great, but I intend to apply to BCG.

In my office, there is tons of former MBB principals and partner and I have this knowingly irrational concern that somehow they might hear about it. I don't have the arrogance to think they would discuss my application, but I am just fearful amongst old relations something may pop up if I ever make it further to the interviews. I am being irrational right?

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Top answer
Deleted user
on Oct 18, 2020

Yes, you are. For two reasons:

  • People working at MBB are professional and well aware of legal and personal implications. They are regularly talking to recruiters themselves and apply the same standards they expect others to apply as well.
  • They want you to join them - if you pass the interviews. And they know that burning confidentiality will kill your conversion before it has started.
9
Udayan
Coach
on Oct 18, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Yes absolutely. It is illegal to (at least in the US) to discuss application data with anyone else that does not need to know it

Udayan

Robert
Coach
on Oct 19, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

MBB takes clients' as well as applicants' information confidentiality extremely serious.

If they would leak some information it would not only hinder them from getting this very well-suited candidate, but also would give them a bad reputation. And don't forget that the HR market is extremely important for MBB to secure top talent.

Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

on Oct 28, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

Coming from MBB, yes - applications are supposed to be 100% confidential.

Have there been instances of ‘leaks’ however? In reality I would say yes although it has been extremely rare, and for very specific circumstances and definitely not the norm.

Long story short - you should not be worried about confidentiality as that is your right.

Mehdi
Coach
on Oct 21, 2020
BCG | Received offers from all MBB & Tier 1Firms | Supporting you secure your top tier consulting offer

Hi there,

I am joining other experts in confirming that applications are confidential. Even when you make it through and you receive an offer, BCG would assign an indepdendent firm to conduct your background check, so even if they need to get in touch with your current employer, they will never mention that they are conducting the background check on behalf of BCG, so you should be fine!

I hope this helps!

Mehdi

Gaurav
Coach
edited on Oct 19, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi A,

I understand your position and reason for the worry. 

However, I suggest you do not worry.

Not just from a legal perspective (data confidentiality etc.) but also from a professional perspective, your candidature remains confidential.

GB

Ian
Coach
on Oct 19, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

You are perfectly fine and safe! Go ahead and apply and rest assured that BCG will not be telling your current employer during this process!

Ken
Coach
on Oct 21, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Absolutely! Confidentiality is taken extremely seriously at MBBs and so you have nothing to worry about. Interviewers wouldn't put their jobs on the line to gossip about a candidates...

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