I am beginning my third year at USC Marshall and am going to apply to MBB internships in the Fall (at the time of recruitment). Since I don't have many responsibilities right now, I have dedicated a majority, if not all, my time to preparing for case study interviews. I've connected with past alumni who have been through the MBB application process before and considering that MBB sends very few recruiters to USC Marshall (especially for undergraduate), I will have tough chances of landing an internship. Nonetheless, my preparation for MBB will prepare me for B4 recruiting, so I don't feel as if I'll be wasting time.
Does anyone have any idea how the current economic impact of COVID-19 will affect the Undergraduate Recruiting process at MBB?
I plan to continue to use my time this summer to prepare for interviews and polish my resume for the time being. Would anyone be able to look over my resume and/or have a virtual coffee chat to answer some questions that I had about recruitment?
Thank you so much for your insights!
Hello!
I am beginning my third year at USC Marshall and am going to apply to MBB internships in the Fall (at the time of recruitment). Since I don't have many responsibilities right now, I have dedicated a majority, if not all, my time to preparing for case study interviews. I've connected with past alumni who have been through the MBB application process before and considering that MBB sends very few recruiters to USC Marshall (especially for undergraduate), I will have tough chances of landing an internship. Nonetheless, my preparation for MBB will prepare me for B4 recruiting, so I don't feel as if I'll be wasting time.
Does anyone have any idea how the current economic impact of COVID-19 will affect the Undergraduate Recruiting process at MBB?
I plan to continue to use my time this summer to prepare for interviews and polish my resume for the time being. Would anyone be able to look over my resume and/or have a virtual coffee chat to answer some questions that I had about recruitment?
Some of the tier two firms are cutting costs through:
Setting pay to 80%, with an opt-out policy (KPMG)
Letting go of some staff with <6 months tenure (EY)
Forcing unpaid leave for staff not on billable projects (Deloitte)
Stopping bonuses
So far, it seems the tier 1 firms are cutting some bonuses and being stricter with the "Up or out" system. It seems unlikely they would rescind new hire offers, but you should always have a plan B.
Al this being said different geographies are different, as are different roles...even in tough times companies do hire and projects are won.
There are a lot of companies, a lot of offices, with a lot of different timelines. I recommend you reach out to the recruiters of the offices + companies in which you are interested! This had the added benefit of you potentially being put in touch with a potential referee!
Take the initiative, reach out to the offices/companies you want, hustle hard, and find the jobs that are available and fight for them.Don't speculate...read the cards TODAY and operate as such, until something changes, then adapt.
The top-tier firms are very nimble. They are notoriously "immune" to economic cycles. This Is because:
When the economy does well, MBB are hired to help companies do even better
When the economy does poorly, MBB are hired to help companies survive (cost costs, adapt, plan for the new world)
I can tell you that MBB are hustling hard and that when companies are in trouble, they look to MBB first for guidance. Strategy consultants help firms navigate uncharted territory...these times are when they're most needed
2) I can't see it improving work-life balance. The fundamentals of top-tier companies in any industry are: Get the best, get the brightest, get the hungriest, charge them out for a lot, and work them hard
3) It'll change business trips in much the same way business trips will be changed across the world
4) It's anyone's guess as to whether WFHwill become more acceptable in consulting. Personally, I doubt it.
Some of the tier two firms are cutting costs through:
Setting pay to 80%, with an opt-out policy (KPMG)
Letting go of some staff with <6 months tenure (EY)
Forcing unpaid leave for staff not on billable projects (Deloitte)
Stopping bonuses
So far, it seems the tier 1 firms are cutting some bonuses and being stricter with the "Up or out" system. It seems unlikely they would rescind new hire offers, but you should always have a plan B.
Al this being said different geographies are different, as are different roles...even in tough times companies do hire and projects are won.
There are a lot of companies, a lot of offices, with a lot of different timelines. I recommend you reach out to the recruiters of the offices + companies in which you are interested! This had the added benefit of you potentially being put in touch with a potential referee!
Take the initiative, reach out to the offices/companies you want, hustle hard, and find the jobs that are available and fight for them.Don't speculate...read the cards TODAY and operate as such, until something changes, then adapt.
The top-tier firms are very nimble. They are notoriously "immune" to economic cycles. This Is because:
When the economy does well, MBB are hired to help companies do even better
When the economy does poorly, MBB are hired to help companies survive (cost costs, adapt, plan for the new world)
I can tell you that MBB are hustling hard and that when companies are in trouble, they look to MBB first for guidance. Strategy consultants help firms navigate uncharted territory...these times are when they're most needed
2) I can't see it improving work-life balance. The fundamentals of top-tier companies in any industry are: Get the best, get the brightest, get the hungriest, charge them out for a lot, and work them hard
3) It'll change business trips in much the same way business trips will be changed across the world
4) It's anyone's guess as to whether WFHwill become more acceptable in consulting. Personally, I doubt it.
There is no denying that MBB recruiting numbers will be lower. Internship programs are going to be less impacted than full time roles as there is an expectation that 2021 will be a year of recovery and internships provide a pipeline for then.
As you mentioned USC is not a target school which means maybe 1 to 2 offers a year at most and for the west coast only. This means that in order to be competitive you have to have a very high GPA, strong extra curriculars and you have to network as much as you possible can with USC alums in MBB.
I'd be happy to look at your resume
Best,
Udayan
Hi Natalie,
There is no denying that MBB recruiting numbers will be lower. Internship programs are going to be less impacted than full time roles as there is an expectation that 2021 will be a year of recovery and internships provide a pipeline for then.
As you mentioned USC is not a target school which means maybe 1 to 2 offers a year at most and for the west coast only. This means that in order to be competitive you have to have a very high GPA, strong extra curriculars and you have to network as much as you possible can with USC alums in MBB.
I think no one can predict what the exact situation will be in three months as the situation is evolving rapidly. But for sure, MBB will recruit less this year than last year.
You did the right things so far though. If you manage to get a referral, that’s for sure what can maximize your chances to land an invitation.
In case you have other questions, please feel free to message me.
Best,
Francesco
Hi Natalie,
I think no one can predict what the exact situation will be in three months as the situation is evolving rapidly. But for sure, MBB will recruit less this year than last year.
You did the right things so far though. If you manage to get a referral, that’s for sure what can maximize your chances to land an invitation.
In case you have other questions, please feel free to message me.
However, none knows how the situation will evolve -if so, this person should be investing in stock exchange atm hahaha-.
Best would be trying to block all that in your mind and moving forward with your application. The prep you do is never going to be useless, even if the processes get pushed back a bit in time.
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hello Natalie,
It´s great you are trying to anticipate.
However, none knows how the situation will evolve -if so, this person should be investing in stock exchange atm hahaha-.
Best would be trying to block all that in your mind and moving forward with your application. The prep you do is never going to be useless, even if the processes get pushed back a bit in time.
Agree with other experst that situation with COVID is getting more unpredictable, so nobody knows for sure how the things will go on. MBB will continue their recruiting but in a smaller scale. That means that they wil be hiring only best of the best.
And on of the way on how you can maximize your chances of being invited to the interview is to apply through referrals.
If you need any further help or advice on application process or referrals, feel free to send me a message.
Best,
André
Dear Natalie,
Agree with other experst that situation with COVID is getting more unpredictable, so nobody knows for sure how the things will go on. MBB will continue their recruiting but in a smaller scale. That means that they wil be hiring only best of the best.
And on of the way on how you can maximize your chances of being invited to the interview is to apply through referrals.
If you need any further help or advice on application process or referrals, feel free to send me a message.
Case Interviews can be led by the candidate or by the interviewer: In Candidate-led cases the main challenge is the structure. In Interviewer-led cases the main challenge is to adapt quickly
Deloitte Consulting case: FootlooseDuraflex is a German footwear company with annual men’s footwear sales of approximately €1 b.
They have always relied on the boot market for the majority of their volume. In this market they compete with three other major competitors.
In the fall of 2019, Badger – one of Duraflex’s competitiors – launched a new line of aggressively priced work boots. The strong success of this line has caused Duraflex’s management to re-evaluate their position in work boots.
With limited additional resources, the management must now decide if they should focus their efforts on competing with Badger in the work boot sector, or allocate their resources on further strengthening their position with casual boots. The management team approached you and asked for your advice. In order to advise them on their future work boot strategy please prepare first some insights regarding market size and competitive landscape.
Duraflex is a German footwear company with annual men’s footwear sales of approximately €1 b.
They have always relied on the boot market for the majority of their volume. In this market they compete with three other major competitors.
In the fall of 2019, Badger – one of Duraflex’s competitiors – ... Open whole case
McKinsey Questions
Tell me of a situation where you had an opinion and no one seemed to agree with you.
What was your goal when you decided to join university / work / clubs / a sports team?
Did you have a goal that you were not able to reach? What did you do?
What do you want to be remembered for and how are you achieving it?
What is your typical way of dealing with conflict?
Tell me of a situation where you had an opinion and no one seemed to agree with you.
What was your goal when you decided to join university / work / clubs / a sports team?
Did you have a goal that you were not able to reach? What did you do?
What do you want to be remembered for and how are you ... Open whole case
Recruitment of Junior AttorneysWe are a reputed law firm. We are thinking of hiring associates right out of college at $120,000 per year. Do you think it is a good idea?
We are a reputed law firm. We are thinking of hiring associates right out of college at $120,000 per year. Do you think it is a good idea?
Open whole case
MBB Final Round Case - Smart EducationOur client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.
The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvantaged areas.
The client is considering starting operations for its services in the Chicago area. They hired us to understand if that makes sense. Due to the nonprofit regulation, SmartBridge should operate on its own in the market, without any partnership.
How would you help our client?
Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.
The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvant ... Open whole case
COVID-19 impact on Heathrow AirportYour client is the CEO of Heathrow airport (London), the busiest airport in Europe in terms of commercial traffic.
Due to COVID-19, the airport's operations and hence, revenue streams, have been severely affected.
The CEO asks for your help with the preparation of the upcoming Steerco, focused on:
“How to secure Heathrow's revenue streams during April-June 2020, mitigating the effects of COVID-19”.
Your client is the CEO of Heathrow airport (London), the busiest airport in Europe in terms of commercial traffic.
Due to COVID-19, the airport's operations and hence, revenue streams, have been severely affected.
The CEO asks for your help with the preparation of the upcoming Steerco, focused on: ... Open whole case
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