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Experienced hire rejection at MBB final round

I am female experienced engineer in energy industry and hold and MBA.

I have been rejected by BCG MEA at final round (consultant role) and I am concerned that I may not be able to apply again given my age (37) and 14 years experience in a specific industry (Energy).

What do you think? Need some help here as I am quite discouraged right now.

Thank you

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Top answer
on Mar 05, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that. I believe you can apply again also at BCG, but possibly for more senior positions – so may be in 2+ years. You may verify with them how long is the ban in your specific case. I helped candidates who were 40+ to join MBB  so that’s definitely possible also later on.

In the meantime, you have additional options if you want to work in consulting:

  • Apply at McK and Bain
  • Apply at a 2nd Tier

The best thing would be to have a good referral strategy, you can find more on that here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Even if your final goal is BCG, it will be easier to do a transition there if you land a consulting offer in the meantime.

Best,

Francesco

Anonymous
on Mar 05, 2021
Thank you very much for your reply, yes I will start working at Alix Partners shortly. I had in mind it was difficult to transition from Alix to BCG.
Anonymous
on Mar 05, 2021
Regarding your response ''possibly for more senior position'' could you please elaborate on that, i.e. why do you think senior would be more relevant than just reapplying next year? thanks a lot !! thank you so much
on Mar 05, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Yasmine, you can apply again in one year for the same position if you have a ban of 12 months - you should verify with HR if that’s the case as the standard ban is up to 24. You have to see though if it makes sense to apply again for the same position and start again as consultant after the ban given the opportunity cost of your current career path. For some people it doesn’t make sense and they prefer to wait for possible openings for expert / more senior roles later on. Hope this helps
Ian
Coach
edited on Mar 04, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

I'm very sorry to hear this :/ That said, remember, if you made it to the final round you absolutely have what it takes!

If they didn't think you were good, they would not have invited you to the 2nd round - I promise. If you can make it past the 1st, you can definitely make it past the 2nd...try again!

In regards to age, let me ask you something: Is 38 different to 37? Not at all!

Now, if your question is: Is MBB right for me given my current career goals, aims, ambitions, and stage in life? Well, different question. But, if you want to know if you can apply again in 1 year and succeed in getting the role, 150% you can!

Anonymous
on Mar 05, 2021
thanks a lot for your encouragements !
Clara
Coach
on Mar 06, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Sorry to hear that, understand it hurts when you put that much effort. 

Honestly, I don´t think that the window here closes for you. You can always join later in a more tenured position, so don´t consider it lost. 

Furthermore, what about other firms?

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Deleted user
on Mar 04, 2021

Sorry to hear that! But rejection is part of the game and pretty much everyone faces this. So, I hope you are dealing with this well. Every rejection only gets you closer to where you should really be. 

Try again please. But this decision is less so about age and more about whether MBB/Consulting is the right career option for you. Is it the right fit with your values, aspiratons and risk apetitie? If yes, then make a plan, keep practicing, be patient & positive. It will happen.

All the best.

11
Anonymous
on Mar 05, 2021
Thank you so much, very nice from you
Gaurav
Coach
on Mar 05, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that!

Hope you are dealing well with that. Try to consider rejection as a part of the game. Because rejection can only help you to be closer to where you should really be.

If you’re going to apply again, It’s better to focus on the positive side: your improvement, achievements, relevant experience that you gained.

Demonstrate that you are a good fit for the company.

Hope it was helpful,
GB

Ken
Coach
on Mar 04, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Sorry to hear it didn't quite work out this time round. As long as you are still interested in joining, there should be nothing stopping you from reapplying after the cooling period of 12-18 months. It's not common but I have seen a few people join MBB in their 40s and so I think it comes down more to personal appetite. 

Anonymous
on Mar 05, 2021
thanks for reply, are those people joining at consultant level or another type of role?
Ken
Coach
on Mar 05, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
Yes! Internally, I think it's more of a mental barrier; your senior colleagues being younger than you, work-life balance, willingness to un-learn certain things that will help you learn the consultant toolkit, etc.
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