BCG last round (lateral hire) - any tips?

Question

Hello,

I just got my "Go" for the final round at BCG (for a Senior Associate role, having a 3-year strategy consultant experience already). Given that I didn't get any negative feedback or real area for improvement, what should I focus on for the last round prep? I already had 2 partners for the second round, and I will meet 2 other partners for the last one. What are the qualities they're going to test the most?

Many thanks

Answer 1

Hi there,

First, good luck!

In general, you should expect and prepare for the same things you've already been preparing...that is...anything!

Of course, you should be ready for it to be potentially a little more intense, or to dive more into business concepts or be more unstructured, but it's all generally the same!

The process is the same, but it can be tougher; you are interviewing with Partners who will likely press further/deeper and move from the table stakes of can you do a case, to are you clever, curious, and a good cultural fit for the firm. Furthermore, extensive notes were taken, including marks on various categories. The Partners see this and will specifically look to test anything you appeared shaky on.

Note: Even if you didn't receive "negative feedback" there are probably areas that you can self-identify as having been weak in your first rounf.

Two Points:

More focus on fit
More focus on any weaknesses you may have exhibited in the first round

Your Response

Make sure you have your story down, a strong set of responses to questions, and you know what personality traits to highligh
If they gave you feedback from the first round, focus hard on improvement areas. If they didn't, try to reflect on where you weren't as strong, and practice that

Other than that, keep doing what you're doing it's you've passed the earlier rounds as it's obviously working!

Here are some other create Q&As to provide more clarity for you:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-is-the-room-for-error-in-a-final-round-interview-8647

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/final-round-interview-with-2-partners-8558

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/final-round-interview-4271

Answer 2

Hey there,

Congrats!

Since you already passed to the final round, keep in mind that you have all it takes. The decision criteria and skills tested are all the same.

The purpose of this round is just to get more data points on the same things to confirm that the first interviews were no outliers.

That being said, reiterate what you have done so far:

Practice cases with peers and coaches
Practice case-specific skills (e.g., areas where you feel most insecure such as (just illustrating) math)
Prepare and work on your personal fit
Work on your mindset

Don't go crazy and find a balance. Enter the interviews relaxed, knowing that you already have all it takes!

Fingrs crossed!

Florian

Answer 3

Make sure you prep is solid, no matter your prep so far, step up the game in every regard. View R2 interviewers as very picky clients who do not allow for any errors. High-level common sense when structuring cases and being likeable / professional (i.e. client ready) is, in my opinion, the most important. This also means you need to prep nice questions to ask interviewers to end interviews on a good note towards the end of the interviews. You know you are prepared if you can say that you indeed did ALL the prep you could possibly do - all about maximizing your potential.

Answer 4

Hi there!

First of all, no worries, you have almost done it!

I would recommend you to give consideration to the fact that the main focus will be on your fit and communication. Moreover, try to write out answers to all potential questions, especially in those topics where you are unsure of your knowledge. Show all your soft skills! And one more tip is to search for someone who has already experienced it and can evaluate your chances.

Good luck!

Cheers,

GB

Answer 5

Hello!

Congrats for moving to final round!

As it has been outlined, its very similar, but :

Cases you can expect are more "free riding" - less organized than the ones your found in the 1st round or most prep pages

Stronger emphasis in the FIT part, as outlined before by other coaches.

If you are interested in deepening your knowledge and preparation on the FIT part, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 3 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:

- Intro and CV questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/introduction-and-cv-questions-fit-interview-preparation-200

- Motivational questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/motivational-questions-fit-interview-preparation-201

- Behavioural questions (ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE) >https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/behavioral-questions-entrepreneurial-drive-fit-interview-preparation-211

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch!