Hi there,

I think no one can really predict the exact situation for consulting companies after the summer, given the volatility of the last few weeks. My hypothesis here is that the bar to convert an internship into an offer may be higher, simply because there may be less projects and less need of new hires. Having said that, I would be surprised if they would stop all hiring from internships.

Below you can find some tips to make the most of your internship and hopefully convert it into an offer:

1. Take notes when your manager tells you something – this will help you to remember details and will show you care about them to the team.
2. Always double-check. The first impression is very important in consulting: if you show you are reliable from the beginning, you create a reputation of a reliable person. Double checks should be done on expectations for your job, your Excel analysis, your slides – basically everything.
3. Define priorities before starting any set of tasks. The majority of the results usually come from a subset of activities – this is true also for your tasks in consulting. You have to identify which they are and prioritize them – the application of the so-called 80-20 rule or Pareto Principle. Alignment on priorities and expectations is particularly important with your manager at the beginning of the project.
4. Socialize with your colleagues and start to build a network. Consulting is a people business and you should build a good network both within and outside the company. A good start is key to develop good relationships long-term
5. Organize your private life activities. You want to organize your calendar to leave some space for personal activities (sport/ friends/ family). This is not easy but can be managed if you organize well, and long-term will be critical to keep a balance between work and private life. Also, it is better to align with your manager/teammates from the beginning on your core needs, so that there are no surprises later on.
6. Ask for feedback every two-three weeks – this will show you are proactive and willing to learn.
7. Ask for help when you don't know what to do – better to let know you are in trouble with meeting a deadline then missing the deadline.
8. Be social and respectful with the support staff – these people are great and influential as well in the company.

Best,
Francesco

Hi!

"Internal" hiring from the pool of interns usually takes precedence over external recruiting. Hence, the offer rate for interns will not fundamentally change. This is also how it was during the last two crisis. However, your available start date might be pushed further into the future if there is no room for intake in the coming months.

So the so-what for you is: do your best during the internship and convince your project manager and partner. Then you should be fine, even though you might need some flexibility after the internship if an immediate start is not possible.

Cheers, Sidi

Hey A,

first of all my congratulations to your internship - this is already a big deal!

Don't think about the conversion rate. Of course, the current situation will have impact on the conversion rate. McK will simply increase the performance bar for the conversion.

So your job is to become a top performer and get into top 20% of summer interns.

I have developed a program "get ready to the first 100 days", which will help you to learn and master consulting skills even before you get into the company. This will help you to become a top performer and secure your full time offer during the internship.

Happy to answer your questions and help you!

Best,

André

Hi,
unfortunately, nobody now is able to predict the precise effects on each business. The 2 true facts today are that interviews are taking place regularly but online instead than face to face, and that many new consulting projects are being paused. Therefore if this lockdown continues for long it can cause a shrinking in new hires. With a good performance during internship I would say that the only risk is to be postponed for the full-time intake, but not to be fired.

Best,
​Antonello

(edited)

Hello,

No one can really know about the new hiring targets until we won't see which will be the impact of the corona virus on the economy.
Even if a global crysis doesn't mean that you don't have projects (think about cost cutting or restructuring process and about all business plans that have to be reviewd) it's likely that they will slow down (but not freeze) the recruitments until they won't understand what is the real impact of the corona virus.
Anyway, you should have a priority over new candidates, since during an internship they have time to evaluate you deeply. That means that odds are lower than in the past, but you should still have some chances.
Which office are you applying for? The critical trigger is that local economy doesn't have to slow down so much that they stop hiring at all.

Best,
Luca

Hello!

Congrats for the internship!

At this point, your are fighting more against yourself than anyone external -you are in already-.

If your performance meets the bar, you will get hired. Simple as that

I was also a Summer BA back in the day so PM me if you want and I we can chat about it

Good luck!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi! Just focus on your performance during your internship, try to ace it! if you are a superstar, you will be hired, Covid or not.

Best,
Daniel