Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 451,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

If siblings apply for the same role at around the same time does it inadvertently effect the application of the other?

Application application process Online Application
New answer on May 02, 2020
8 Answers
5.2 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Apr 30, 2020

My brother would like to apply for the same consulting role as me at the same time as me. Would his application negatively impact my application or his own in any way? We both have similar backgrounds and degrees- would be experienced hires new to consulting. I am more a few more years experienced in terms of industry experience than he is. I am concerned also that some of the firms might have a hiring quota from one family (i.e. not hire more than one person from the same family) or is this unfounded?

Many Thanks!

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Anonymous replied on Apr 30, 2020

Hi there,

If you don't mention it, the companies would not necessarily know that you are from the same family? Plus, if you have a few more years experience than your brother, wouldn't you actually apply a higher level role than him?

I don't think there is such quota anyway, if both of you are good enough to pass the bar. There were siblings in BCG Singapore office before, the brother was a few years older than the younger sister so they were at different roles.

Best,

Emily

Was this answer helpful?
13
Sidi
Expert
replied on Apr 30, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

No there is no issue. There are many siblings working in the same MBB firm. I even know a couple of twin pairs.

The only thing that is "special" is that you will usually not be able to work on the same projects by firm policy. This is also true for consultants who are in a relation with each other (especially when they are on different seniority levels, so one could appraise the performance of the other).

Cheers, Sidi

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 30, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

I am not aware of any issues related to being siblings. Moreover, as mentioned by Emily they won’t necessarily associate your two last names, unless yours is very unusual.

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on May 02, 2020

Dear A,

No, there is no problem. And as Sidi said there might me some "special" things.


Best,

André

Was this answer helpful?
8
Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 30, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

No need to start a war between brothers here :) There is no policy regarding consultants coming from the same family. Plus, they can not know that you are brothers from your CVs.

Best,
Luca

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 30, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Absolutely no issue with this. In fact, I know pairs of siblings who have been in McKinsey at the same time -as well as siblings who have been there "consequently".

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Thomas
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 30, 2020
150+ interviews | 6+ years experience | Bain, Kearney & Accenture | Exited startup| London Business School

Hi there,

This should not form a problem, but perhaps don't put it out in the open to prevent any biases. Good luck.

Was this answer helpful?
8
Vlad
Expert
replied on Apr 30, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Nope, there is no negative effects. I know quite a lot of cases of siblings working in the same firm

Best

Was this answer helpful?
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely