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Call with Experienced Hire Recruiting Manager

HR Recruiter
New answer on Dec 22, 2020
5 Answers
868 Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 21, 2020

Hi, couldn't find this exact query posted here so I thought of asking the question.

I know a senior partner in an MBB firm and have been in conversation with her regarding opportunities within the firm and my interest to apply. This morning I got an email from a recruiter who is an experienced hire recruiter. The text of the email goes like this:

..."We have received your profile from one of our colleagues.

I would like for us to set up some time for a quick chat tomorrow about the interview process at MBB. Please share your availability for a 20 mins chat tomorrow"

Is this going to be a fit interview or literally just a call to go through the interview process? I don't know yet if my contact has actually referred me in the system (didn't receive any email notification for such a referral) or just passed my cv to the recruiter.

What should I expect? Thank you!

Overview of answers

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 21, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

This is great!

You've basically been referred and now HR is screening you as a candidate...if you "pass" this call, you'll be invited to interview (or take an online assessment).

You absolutely need to treat this like a screening. As such, be prepared with "resume walkthrough" "why consulting" and "why MBB". Furthermore, be sure to come off as personable and capable for the role!

Resume walkthrough

  • Needs to be chronological
  • Only keep important details that make you look good (i.e. I worked across 7 industries and rose up the ranks twice in the course of that role)
  • Keep a theme of "why consulting"
    • I.e. at each step you need to show that you both got exposure to aspects of consulting AND thrived + enjoyed them
  • Finish with: And that's why I'm here today looking for consulting with your company

Why Consulting

  • You need to summarize what you did before along the theme of consulting aspects you liked and consulting aspects that were missing
  • You then combine those two - i.e. I know I like + am good at x, y, and z which is required for consulting, and I really am excited to get a, b, and c
  • You finish with a "mini" why x company

Why x company

  • Start with a "mini" why consulting
  • Then have 2-3 reasons why x company is your target
  • Every "reason" needs to incorporate 1) That you know they value x 2) That you not only value x but have exhibited it and done it in the past
  • Be very very mindful of what they want you to want

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 21, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats! This is the power of referrals :)

This is a fit interview but with a very very clear scope: motivation and CV -that is only one part of the normal full-lenght FIT interviews-.

If you want to deepend you knowledge, 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 2 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!

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 22, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

They may just explain the interview process, but better to be prepared just in case. I would prepare the following:

  1. Tell me about yourself
  2. Why consulting
  3. Why this MBB
  4. Give me an example of when you led a team
  5. Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone
  6. What has been your major achievement so far
  7. Why should we hire you

Questions about experiences (4, 5 and 6) are standard at McKinsey, but other companies may ask them as well. To prepare those questions, I recommend the following checklist:

  1. Understand the difference between, leadership, impact and drive areas. You can find a link with their differences here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/mckinsey-pei-difference-drive-and-personal-impact-918#a1780
  2. Identify good stories for each area. Ideally you want to have at least two stories for each area.
  3. Use a structure for your story. I would suggest to use the STARR model (Situation, Task, Action, Rational for Action, Results)
  4. Identify for each story one sentence clarifying what the story is about and start with it. Think of it as the title of a journal article.
  5. Practice live, collect feedback from people listening to you, reiterate until when you get fluent and persuasive

Best,
Francesco

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Anonymous replied on Dec 21, 2020

Hi,

This would be an intro chat to understand your background and motivation. The recruiter will usually also walk you through the recruitment process and pointed to the resources within the firm that you can use to prepare.

In term of preparation, to be safe I woudl suggest to prepare as if you will face a fit interview.

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13
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 21, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hey there,

I suggest you prepare like you would for the fit interview and also have your Cover letter and CV ready (in case you need to send them after the call).

Break a leg!

GB

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