Hi there,

Good question. Here are my thoughts:

1. Clarify your real goals. Think about what you want to do in 5-10 years. Is MBB the only way to get there? Are MBB people the only ones that are successful? Did Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg work at McKinsey? No. MBB can speed up your trajectory but it is almost never the only way to get where you really want to go. You can most likely get there anyway. When you understand and internalize this, most of the pressure will go away
2. See the interview as just one of the possible steps towards the big goal. Linked to the previous point: you are not preparing for the MBB offer- that’s not your final goal. You are working towards your big 10-year goal. The interview doesn’t work? Doesn’t matter. You can go for another company or apply again in 2 years. There are other steps available. Long term, the fact that you “lost time” failing at the first attempt will be completely irrelevant
3. Have alternatives. Not necessarily applicable to your case but if you manage to get other invitations /interviews it will for sure decrease pressure. It also generally makes sense in terms of your long-term goal – you are decreasing risks to get delays in what you really target due to unforeseen events (eg a partner doesn't like you for whatever reason). I went through my BCG interview process after getting an offer from OW – and that helped a lot to decrease the pressure

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Hey there!

Of course, getting stressed because of the interviews is totally normal. But your biggest and the most important task is to change your mindset. Evenly distribute your concentration so as to be sure to occupy yourself with something before and after the interview. Try to keep yourself busy as long as you can - that will help you stop overthinking.

Watch your breath! Keep it even and this way don't let you fall into panic. It also will keep you focused.

And absolutely keep it in my that the interview - is not the end of the world and neither of the outcomes will ruin your life no matter what!

Fingers crossed!

Hi there, 

Lots of useful advice here already. I wish I had seen this question earlier. 

Aside from what was mentioned, also trust that things will normalise with time. The more you experience interviews, the less nervous you'll feel, like it is with anything else. So don't put so much pressure on yourself in terms of ‘doing’ something about being nervous, but also just accept that it will go away with time. 

Best,
Cristian

Hey,

You are just struggling to manage your own thoughts & emotions and letting them run wild. Stop it and just ignore that mental chatter. Do you consciously listen to your heart pumping or kidneys beeping or whatever else your body does? Then why this exaggerated focus on the mind?

Perhaps take a break, do something fun. Get back in there & focus on giving your best. Dont worry about the outcome. It will happen.

All the best.