Does interview timing matters?

Question

My MBB interview has been scheduled for the last week of June. I graduate in July, and I would begin in September if it goes well.

Through common friends who are also interviewing, I was told the company has already stopped hiring for the year and is currently hiring for September (as in, people doing interviews now are told they will start in September).

This scared me, because it means I will be amongst the last bunch of people to be interviewed for September. My fear is that I might do great at the case interview, yet still be rejected because they ran out of spots.

Should I care about this? I can ask for the interview to be moved closer, they were very available and I am in good rapport with the recruitment team.

Answer 1

Hi there,

If you have an interview lined up already and you are case ready (i.e. 90-100% good…acing your cases), I recommend you interview now.

The economy/hiring is booming and we all know that is likely to come to an end soon.

It's really hard to predict supply/demand match so we simply don't know objective odds now vs. later. It's all very office dependent as well!

Answer 2

Hi there,

I would anticipate the interview only if you believe there would not be relevant improvements in your prep between now and the currently scheduled date. It would not make much sense to go for the interview less prepared for a non-verifiable possible higher bar.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 3

Hey there,

The official message sent by recruiters is: it does not matter.

However, as confirmed by HR is was working with and my own observations even for firms that focus on soft hiring targets (as in, not a specific number per year that they are trying to hire but a rough estimate), once that estimate is reached, it will be more difficult to receive an offer.

Given that fact, it might make sense to interview earlier, if you are ready.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 4

As the interview has been booked in, go ahead with it. Prepare well and give your best. Dont worry about what is happening to your friends or what others say.

if you are ready now, no harm is speaking with HR/Recruiter to assess bringing it forward.

Its impossible to predict exact market situations and demand/supply landscape. This is not in your control anyway, so dont worry about it.

All the best.

Answer 5

Hi,

so, I highly doubt that MBB stopped hiring. Business is booming and no end in sight. So it sounds more like rumor to me.

Thus, I would not worry about it - just do a great interview, and you will be fine.

Best,
C

Answer 6

Hi there,

if you are ready and you would feel better, then advance the recruiting process, but I can confirm that is very unlikely there will be no spots for new Associate or Consultants… MBB have been growing extremally fast in the past years and most offices have very ambitious targets for new hires, hence I wouldn't worry.

Good luck,

Lucie

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Answer 7

Hello!

100% you DON´T need to worry here: if they are interviewing, if because they have space. This means that, if you meet or raise the bar, you will be hired.

You are literally only fighting yourself here, none else.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 8

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