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Full time job turned into an internship

consulting analyst internship management consulting riyadh Roland Berger Roland Berger Middle east
New answer on Sep 25, 2023
6 Answers
662 Views
Anonymous A asked on Sep 22, 2023

Hi 

 

I have applied to Roland Berger Middle East and have done my final interview. It was a great interview, both me and the interviewer were chatting friendly and enjoyed our time.

 

As the interview came to an end, he told me that I have been great at the interview and was one of the best candidates he has interviewed. However, he told me that they are considering an internship program for me instead of a full time job. The internship would be a 6-months program with a reasonable salary and the abality for a full time job. He said that it allows me and them the time to consider my skills and abilities to do the job and learn about consulting ( I come from an engineering background and this is my first time at a job ) Honestly, I was hesitant to push for a full time job thinking that it would reduce my chances if getting an offer for them. So, I told him that I am okay with doing the internship.

 

I am not sure if I made the right choice or should I try to push for a full time job? Also, is it normal for consulting compaines to offer internship roles to graduates and what are the chances of getting a full time offer?

 

Thank you for reading and looking forward to your comments.

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Best answer
Pedro
Expert
replied on Sep 22, 2023
Bain | Roland Berger | EY-Parthenon | Mentoring Approach | 30% off in April| Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

Hi there,

My first job was at Roland Berger. At the time, they used to favor the model you describe, of hiring people as trainees, and then turning them into long term employees.

Most people (90%) would become Business Analysist afterwards, with no time-in-between (in fact, it was treated more like a promotion than as a turning into a “permanent" employee). There was really no downside to it. Most people would be promoted again (to junior consultants) in 6 months if they had strong enough performance, i.e., no negative impact in career progression for those starting at a lower level. On the upside, those who were weaker performers as business analysts still had 12 months (+6 from “internship”) before any up-or-out.

So in fact, this is a lower risk option. If things go well it makes no difference (other than a slightly lower pay in the first few months), if things don't go well, you have 6 extra months to prove yourself. Or in the case it really doesn't go well, you'll never be the analyst who failed the probationary perior, you are just the 6-month intern.

To be honest, this was so common that I used to think of “trainee” as another career step in their ladder, and not really as an internship.

I guess they are still using that model, and from my experience, I would not be too much worried about it. If this is the best offer you have, go for it.

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 22, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Most jobs have a 6 month probationary period anyway in which they can fire you without cause! (Depends on country of course).

Here, they're just saying they like you and want you to prove yourself.

You did nothing wrong. They had made their decision (and I doubt they would have said “sure thing!” if you said you only wanted full time).

Look, you have a great opportunity here! Just make sure you perform well.

Use the $ they're paying you to 100% ensure you get the full time offer. Invest in training with a coach for example, spend the $ on time savers (like meal prep, cleaning, etc.), etc. etc.

Maximize the chances of getting a return offer.

Here's some reading to help you during the role: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tips-for-consultans

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Benjamin
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 22, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

If I were you - i'd take what is offered for 2 reasons:

  1. The 6 months gives you an opportunity to figure out if this is what you'd like, plus you don't really have the leverage here
  2. The internship gives you 6 months of experience that can be leveraged regardless of the outcome i.e. if you were not given the return offer
    • In today's environment, there are many instances of people at MBB who have joined as a full time role but have been counselled/managed out after 6 months → this would happen to you assuming you weren't ‘cut out’ for the job
    • With an internship, If you don't get the offer, you can still leverage that 6 months internship experience and IMO this is an easier situation to justify vs explaining why you were managed out after 6 months on a full time role

All the best!

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 25, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

1) I am not sure if I made the right choice or should I try to push for a full time job? 

In these situations, you actually don’t have much leverage to negotiate, unless you have another offer. So, assuming that's the case, accepting the internship was the correct thing to do.

2) Also, is it normal for consulting companies to offer internship roles to graduates and what are the chances of getting a full time offer?

Whether they offer an internship or full-time it depends on the company, country, and seniority you have. Usually there is a high conversion from internship to full-time (in my batch when I joined BCG it was 100%). 

The factors that impact the conversion are (i) your performance and (ii) the need of the company for full-time positions. As you don't have a direct impact on (ii), you can focus on having the best possible performance in these months which is what you can really control.

Good luck!

Francesco

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 22, 2023
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

There are two things going on here 

1. They like you but want to make sure you're a good consultant and that you'll be happy in consulting. That is reasonable and is a good way for you to test the waters as well

2. Demand for consulting right now is not as strong and so they may be hesitant to commit to a full time offer if there's not enough work to utilize your time. If things change and if you perform well this is unlikely to be an issue. They are very likely to hire you full time if you do a good job during your internship. 

 

Overall I think you made the right choice. An internship is a good way to learn and sets you up to start a career with them in 6 months time if everything goes well. 

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Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 22, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there!

Based on how you describe it, I imagine the following:

They realised that they can't offer full time roles anymore, or it would be a big stretch for them. They also figured out that you are a strong candidate. In order not to lose you, they offered you an internship which would make it easier on their side and also ensure that they get to keep you. 

Considering how the market looks like at the moment, this is by no means surprising. I would recommend that you go for it, especially since the probability of it converting into a full-time role is rather high.

Best of luck in the new job in the meantime! Sharing with you a couple of resources on what it takes to make the most of your first year in consulting:

Best,
Cristian

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Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

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Anonymous on Nov 02, 2023

Hey! Did you end up accepting the offer? How was the final round? And what did it consist of? Was it a case round or mainly fit/Behavioral?

(edited)

Pedro gave the best answer

Pedro

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