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FIT - months of prep

Hi,

Is it OK to say during FIT interview that I spent that last 4 months preparing these MBB interviews (after finishing university)? Or it's better to say something else like travelling?

Best,

A.

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Top answer
on Feb 02, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

I don’t see an advantage in mentioning the months of preparation to the interviewers – they will understand your real preparation anyway during the interview, and such a statement may appear to some as presumptuous. In case they ask what you did after graduation, mentioning experiences showing skills relevant in consulting, such as drive, leadership or teamwork, would be more effective.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Vlad
Coach
on Feb 02, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

I would rather say something neutral, in order not to create any kind of bias:

  • If you perform poorly with the case - they might think that you've spent 4 months and still no progress
  • If you perform too well - some people might think you are over prepared.

Best

on Feb 02, 2019
This "Over prepared" is the most non sense argument I have ever heard. So by your logic there's no reason to hire MBB consultants, as they are "over prepared" to consult for a company...
Deleted
Coach
on Feb 02, 2019
95% practise, 5% theory. We can make 2-3 real cases in a session or split the time 50:50 between case study and general background

Saying you spent 4 month preparating for the interviews is probably the worst thing you can do. In the eyes of the interviewers, ideal candidate does not prepare at all, or very little. 

It is much better to say you were traveling or studying anything (renewable energy, precise agriculture, banking) or helping startups, freelancing on some projects etc.

Bear in mind that MBB interviewers are flooded by candidates whose only target is consulting and have no special focus. They however much more like candidates who shows a passion for some industry.

Sidi
Coach
on Feb 05, 2019
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 400+ candidates secure MBB offers

Don't say it. It has absolutely no advantage, and might come across weird for a few people.

Cheers, Sidi

Clara
Coach
on May 01, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

On top of the insights already shared in the post, next week will be pusblished in PrepLounge´s Shop material related. 

In concrete, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB". 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.

Hope you find it useful!

Deleted user
on Sep 21, 2020

Hi A,

I would not recommend doing so, otherwise, this can create a bad image of you if you perform badly. Better to say something that would be relevant to consulting or just something neutral.

Best,

André

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