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I saw some people who did not get return offer from summer intern but landed a good job. Why?

I saw some people who did not get return offer from summer intern but landed a good job. Why? Should his/her employer know that the person did not receive a return offer? (and think the person might not be as good?)

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Top answer
Ian
Coach
on Apr 18, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

"Should his/her employer know that the person did not receive a return offer"

Absolutely not.

I know of a number of people who didn't get a return offer, and I'd narrow it down to a few things:

  1. They got a bad draw and were assigned a bad manager who they didn't click with - you'd be surprised how much variability there is and how much that matters (probably 80% of your return offer depends on just what your direct report says about you.)Personally, I actually struggled significantly with the project lead on my summer internship. If I didn't bite my tongue and know how to navigate the situation I would not have received an offer.
  2. There was a culture clash. The person is a good consultant, but doesn't fit with the firm itself
  3. The person is smart/talented but just not right for consulting.
  4. The person is not smart and not a good worker - they wouldn't be good in most jobs but are good at interviewing/lucked out on the job offer.
Anonymous A
on Apr 18, 2021
But as an interviewee, I am not sure it is a good idea to lie about getting a return offer or not, but I will doubt their capabilities as an interviewer, just my 2 cents
Ian
Coach
on Apr 19, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
I don't really understand your point? I've never once had an interview where the interviewer asked whether the internship resulted in a return offer...lying shouldn't even be needed here.
Denis
Coach
on Apr 18, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews

Not landing an offer after the internship does not mean that the person is not good. It could have a gazillion reasons, mostly outside of control of the respective intern. Also, do not forget that this is pretty much one of the reasons why many ppl do an internship. Already a MBB or elite IB internship open a lot of doors since those institutions serve as generally accepted quality certifications.

Also, besides from the intern, no one will ever find out that one did not get a return offer.

Deleted user
on Apr 18, 2021

Hi,

Can you clarify your question please- landed a good job "where"?

Regardless, why is this of your concern? They clearly made some right moves and things worked out for them. 

Rather, please focus on your own learning and career moves. Learn from people experiences around you, but dont let that steer what you want to do...then you are living someone else's life.

Good luck.

14
Florian
Coach
on Apr 19, 2021
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Why not?

Consulting is not the end all be all and there are other good jobs out there and fitting candidates. For reasons, see Ian's answer.

Rather than finding it suspicious, be happy about the success of others and focus on your own journey. :-)

Cheers,

Florian

Florian
Coach
on Apr 18, 2021
Ex-McKinsey | 5+ years consulting experience | Active interviewer & coach | Healthcare industry | Inhouse Consulting

Hi,

there might be various reasons why a summer intern might not have got a return offer, but it certainly does not mean that the intern is not as good in any case. I would personally refrain from sharing this information actively, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. You can even turn it into something positive and explain what you learned from your experience where you did not manage to receive the return offer.

Feel free to get in touch via DM, if you want to discuss your personal situation and want some personal advice.

Cheers,

Florian

Gaurav
Coach
on Apr 18, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

The question is rather weird to my mind. If an intern doesn't get a return offer, it literally doesn't mean anything. And most certainly it shouldn't play any role for future employers. 

on Apr 19, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Ian provided a very good list of reasons why you may not get an offer after an internship.

In terms of what to say to the new employer during interviews: no reason to say voluntarily that you didn’t get the offer, but don’t lie if they ask. Explain the reason taking responsibilities and without being defensive, and show what you learned from the experience.

Best,

Francesco

Raj
Coach
on Apr 30, 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

Why does this matter? This could've been due to a million reasons and is pretty irrelevant unless interviewing with the same place the internship occured

edited on Sep 05, 2021
Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor

Anonymous B
on Nov 07, 2021

i’ve never seen an employer asked an interviewee whether they got a return offer, and why is this your concern if this is someone else’s business? what proof do you have that they were lying anyway? 

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