Loss of motivation after rejection

Hi there, 

Sorry to hear how all of this went. 

I was in your situation with having ‘all my eggs in one basket’ with McKinsey (having refused my previous offers) and was fortunate enough that it worked out (though they took a long time to get back to me and I was super nervous about it). 

In short, what I'd recommend is first to take a break. Recharge. Get some rest. Fill your life with the things that bring you joy. 

Then get some perspective. Reflect on what is it that you're actually trying to achieve. If it confirms that management consulting is still where you want to be, reaffirm your commitment to the recruitment process. Look back at the recruitment process and try to see what didn't work out and what you could improve. Consider taking on a coach to help you unlock these last areas and bring you to full potential. 

Then give it another go. Some candidates apply multiple years in a row until they get it. I know of Partners who went through this process when they were applying for BA roles. Sometimes things in life don't work on the first go. Resilience is what matters. 

Best,
Cristian

I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the McKinsey interview and the subsequent rejection. It can be disheartening to face setbacks, especially when you had high hopes for a particular opportunity. However, it's important to remember that setbacks are a natural part of life, and many successful individuals have faced similar situations. 

I would encourage you to think about your plan B after Mckinsey.There are plenty of other great companies out there Bain, BCG, Kearney, S&, Oliver Wyman, etc… with even better salaries that can help you boost your career the same way Mckinsey can. I would encourage you to focus instead on your favourite industry and vertical and then find the most appropriate company to develop your skills in that area. 

Think that after a year (sometimes only 6 months depending on which region you are applying) you can try your luck again starting the process with Mckinsey with a better preparation. View this experience as a learning opportunity. Identify the areas where you believe you made mistakes and determine how you can improve upon them in the future. Remember that setbacks can often lead to personal and professional growth.

Lastly, keep in mind that everyone's journey is unique, and it's okay to take some time to find your path again. Stay resilient, be kind to yourself, and remain open to new opportunities. Your drive and motivation will return, and you will find the path that's right for you.

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the rejection, that's never easy to deal with. In terms of your question:

Q: As a result of the rejection, I've lost quite some motivation and willingness to look for alternatives. How can I best deal with this situation going forward? 

I would do the following:

1. Understand the reason why you want to work in consulting. This should clarify why it makes sense to apply to other firms and should provide motivation.
   • If it is for a specific exit, other consulting companies can most likely lead there.
   • If it is to stay long-term in consulting, you can have an equivalent career in other consulting companies as well.
2. Understand the exact reasons for the rejection from McKinsey. Work to fix the issues. If needed, contact HR to ask for feedback.
3. Network to get referrals with as many consulting companies as possible that are interesting to you. Targeting one single company for a consulting application is very risky. If one interviewer doesn't like you, the whole process might be over. Additionally, if you know you just have one shot, that increases the stress of the process.
4. Apply and refresh your previous prep. If you passed the first round with McKinsey, your level should be already good and with minor fixes, you should be able to land an offer from another top consulting company.
5. If nothing works out and you still want to work in consulting, find a second-best job, work there for a few years, apply again after the ban. Most people fail the first time they apply (I did). In the long run, it won’t really matter if you did not succeed on the first try.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

You are depressed because a firm that accepts 5% of all applicants rejected you.

You did not get into Oxford. You did not get into Goldman Sachs. You didn't make it into the Navy Seals.

Welcome to the club! Join 7 Billion others. Are they all failures and miserable because they didn't get McKinsey?

I'm not trying to sound harsh (quite the contrary). However, you should have expected this outcome (it was the most likely outcome).

T.W. Brown once said “You are not judged by your success, but rather, how you respond to your failures.”

You're going to fail in life. All the time.

Take a break. Recharge. Get some sleep. Go on vacation.

Then get back at it. And, maybe, when you do, apply to the hundreds of other awesome firms out there and realize this isn't the end of the world!

And realize there's literally so much more to life and success than one single company. McK isn't (and never way) your “ticket”

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about the rejection.

I understand that receiving a rejection after investing significant time and effort into preparing for your interview can be disheartening. It's normal to feel a loss of motivation and drive in such situations. Some ideas on how you can regain momentum in this situation:

• Reflect: Take some time to reflect on the experience and understand what you can learn from it.
• Seek feedback: Reach out to the interviewers or the recruitment team at McKinsey to request feedback on your performance. Understanding the specific areas where you fell short can provide valuable insights for your future preparation and self-improvement.
• Reframe your perspective: Instead of dwelling on the rejection, try to reframe it as a learning experience. Recognize that setbacks are a natural part of any journey and can provide valuable lessons for personal and professional growth. Use this experience as an opportunity to refine your skills, improve your resilience, and further develop your motivation.
• Revisit your career goals and aspirations: Take the time to reconnect with your long-term career goals and the reasons why you were initially excited about pursuing a career at McKinsey. Remember the aspects of consulting that attracted you in the first place, and consider how these align with your broader aspirations. Realigning with your passions and goals can reignite your drive and motivation.
• Explore alternative opportunities: While it's understandable to feel discouraged, it's important not to limit yourself to a single opportunity. Take the time to explore other consulting firms, industries, or career paths that align with your skills and interests. Consider reaching out to your network, attending industry events, and researching other potential opportunities that could be equally fulfilling.

Remember that setbacks are a natural part of any career journey, and it's how you respond and bounce back that matters most. Take this experience as an opportunity for growth, learn from it, and continue moving forward with resilience and determination.

/Marvin

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, that must be hard to go through.

My first piece of advice would be to take a break. Maybe I'm reading between the lines a bit, but stress, sleep deprivation and a large drop in motivation are giving me slight burnout vibes. The only way to get out of this is to listen to what your body and mind need, and take some time off. If you can, step back from the job search for a week or two. You'll be better off for it once you're back.

After taking a break, process what you've learned from this recruiting cycle, and then go forth and apply! If you got to McKinsey's second round, you're doing it right, so there's not necessarily much you need to change up in terms of preparation. Personally, I would advise against an “all eggs in one basket” - recruiting can be a bit subjective and unpredictable and its always good to have options.

Last, don't beat yourself up about it. It sucks, but it's truly not the end of the path. If you still really want to work for McKinsey, you can always reapply after a year. In day-to-day terms, there's not a huge amount of difference between working for McKinsey and working for Bain and BCG, and plenty of other consulting firms offer great opportunities too. Networking with people from other firms could help get you excited about other opportunities.

Best of luck, and keep your head up!