Final round BCG visiting associate

There are many positive signs you have received which is great. Overall, no one can tell you based on your writing what your chances are because too many factors go into the decision making process, including how other people performed, what others thought of you, what the hiring needs are etc etc.

While the sole focus for you now is getting the results of the interview (which is extremely painful I get it :)) think of things you may have put off till now such as meeting friends or watching certain movies and try and distract yourself as much as possible. Within a week you will know how the outcome and this will all go away.

All the best,

Udayan

Hi there,

It all sounds promising but of course we don't know!

A single estimation error is not a deal-breaker, and, importantly, if you reacted/responded/adjusted well then it can actually work in your favour.

Remember that all that practice was not just for BCG. It was for all your other interviews, it was to build up your professional abilities, etc. So, no matte what, it wasn't wasted (even if it could feel like it)

Fingers crossed for you!

Interviewers don't give much weight to wrong assumptions, i.e., if you are structuring well and considering the right factors but then pick the wrong number as an assumption (in a market that one is not expected to be an expert)… that is almost irrelevant. 

Sure, if you pick wrong number after wrong number, your business sense will be put into question. If you assume that 70% of “protein bar” consumers are general amateur gym-goers where in fact 70% are body builders, that has no impact in your interview (to be honest, I have no idea which one is true…).

In some instances, the only reason why the interviewer asks you to adjust the assumption is to make sure it is aligned with the numbers s/he aldready has, or with the follow up questions. For example, at 30% a “go vs. no-go” decision may be less obvious and as such provide a more rich follow up discussion on other factors to consider.

All in all, what you describe seems to be an overall positive interaction from end-to-end without any major issues.

Hi there,

it sounds like you reacted to the interviewer’s feedback and adjusted your assumption to something more suitable. That is all fine and the initial inaccuracy in your estimate typically won’t be held against you. If you hadn’t incorporated the feedback during the case, that would have been something that could have cost you.

The interviewer’s comment on the laptop might indeed have been a positive indication, especially if this was your only final round interviewer. If you had more than one, then there might be different opinions that need to align of course.

However, we are only speculating here and you will have to wait for the official feedback, as always.

I hope the news will be positive. 

Hi there,

Don't forget that the offer will not come from just one interview performance but from all of them. All interviewers will gather together to share feedback and take a final decision so fingers crossed!

You can check how MBB recruiting processes work internally here: MBB Hiring Hacks - Behind the Curtain Secrets

Best,

Alberto

—

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Hi there,

Q: If you have any insights or thoughts on whether you believe I got rejected or not, I'd appreciate your input.

It is always difficult to comment as the only person who has the full picture is the interviewer. From what you shared, it seems your performance was good. You might still pass even if you make a mistake – your approach doesn’t need to be perfect.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your interview experience. There are some positive elements about it, but ultimately it is really hard for anyone (other than the actual interviewer) to tell you whether you will pass or not. 

You will only know when you hear the official decision. Until then, anything is speculation :)

All the best and crossing fingers for you!

Actually, it sounds like the interview went really well. 

They don't expect you to do it perfectly, but they expect you to show that you're coachable. 

I had a market sizing question in my final round with McK and also made mistakes and eventually got the offer. 

So don't be concerned that the assumption was wrong. That happens often.

Hope you hear back from them soon!
Cristian

Hey,

Whether you get an offer or not is defined by more factors that just a single market sizing estimation. Case interviews are about testing your structuring and analysis skills. If you can provide a sound explanation for why you think it's 70% and not 30% then you should be ok, even if in reality the number is incorrect. 

Remember, that the interviewers always assess you holistically as a candidate (case / fit / behavioural parts).

Overall, according to what you are saying, the signs from that particular interviewer were positive.

Good luck!
Nick

(edited)