Post rejection from Bain: how to best utilize a Partner relationship?

Bain networking recruiting rejection
New answer on Apr 30, 2020
9 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Feb 26, 2020

Is there a way to use a partner relationship to better position yourself for success after a rejection at Bain?

I applied to Bain with a referral back in 10/19, completed a digital screening, networked with a partner in another country in 11/19, and then received a rejection email from HR in 2/20. The pre-screen took over 90 days!

My objective is to get into Bain, and so I’m thinking it might make sense to learn what was behind this delayed rejection. Both HR and my primary sponsor (now an alumni) have been tight-lipped when asked for feedback.

My question: would it make sense to update the partner about my lack of progress? It’s not like he asked for this info, but I wonder if I could communicate to him in a way that could help me

1 - gain insights, or

2 - position myself for a later attempt.

I would love your thoughts is able. At this point, I don't think I have much to lose. It would likely be a year before I can apply again anyways. :-/

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Anonymous replied on Apr 30, 2020

It is always good to close the loop with the partner, and ask for feedback/opinion on what you could improve further. Like you said, there is nothing to lose. May the partner can help you find out more info that you couldn't get...

Best luck,

Emily

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Anonymous replied on Apr 30, 2020

Hi a,

gain insight, prepare yourself and optimally position for the next time.

Good luck,

André

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 02, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello! Unfortunately, not much he can do at this point... keep nurturing that relationship to leverage his contact whenever re-applying.

Cheers,

Clara

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Nathaniel
Expert
replied on Mar 01, 2020
McKinsey | BCG | CERN| University of Cambridge

Hello there,

I would advise reaching out and update the partner, maintaining the relationship in the process, with long-term perspective as opposed to short-term.

The partner may not be able to help you with the decision, but next time you tried to apply and managed to get in, you have partner whom you already know and able to work with immediately after getting in.

Even if you are working in different firms, you might help and collaborate with each other in the future.

No loss in maintaining a relationship in any case.

Hope it helps.

Kind regards,
Nathan

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Antonello
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Content Creator
replied on Feb 29, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I would update him about the process, trying to understand when you can apply again (whether before the standard ban)

Best,
Antonello

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Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Feb 27, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

As an alum, not much he can do. However, when relaunching your efforts in the future (i.e. after the wait period) when you do reach out (to either him and/or HR) you need to make it very very clear that you've changed, prepared, and are a better candidate

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Anonymous A on Feb 27, 2020

...and there within lays the actual problem; what was qualitatively “better”, relative to my previous resume. Given that this was a prescreen, one might assume that the resume carried the most weight. Most experts I spoke to qualified the resume/experiences as being excellent, including consultants from all MBB firms. So back to problem ID, how can I gain insights into what specificity was the “deal breaker” on the resume? Was it coming from an industry background? Was it more about timing? with all due respect, To say “just be better” does not define the scope of change that’s needed.

Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 26, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

It's unlikely that a partner would take any action to pressure HR staff if you don't have a really connection. Anyway it would be a good idea to update him to preserve your connection.
I would rather try to push a little bit the HR staff in order to receive a feedback or at least to know when you can reapply.

Best,
Luca

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Udayan
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replied on Feb 26, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Sorry to hear about your rejection. The timing itself may not have much to do with your application but internal processes. Either way it is hard to tell. Before I answer the question with regards to the partner it is important to evaluate your application on the following critieria

1. Did you go to a target school where they heavily recruit from for your role

2. Did you have a high GPA

3. Do you have a competitive resume with relevant work experience and extra curricular activities that showcase your core skills (analytical, communcation etc.)

Once you do an honest evaluation on these you may find that some of the above could apply to you. The right networking (if a partner refers you for example) can often bypass this but without that it is difficult to get an interview invite for MBB

With regards to the partner, I think it is great to stay in touch. Inform him of what happened and thank him for his help in the process. In the email ask if it would be okay for you to update him periodically of your progress. Then you have to actually email him once every 2 months or so to both keep him updated and maintain a relationship. Ideally if you can also meet him once a year that would be even better. Then in 2 years or so when you are ready to apply you can ideally leverage this relationship for that.

All the best,

Udayan

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Feb 26, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

If he is an alum - most probably he just forwarded your e-mail. It's not considered as an official referral. It will be beneficial to reach out to him to gather some insights, however, next time try to apply via someone from the company

Best

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Anonymous A on Feb 26, 2020

Sorry if this wasn’t clear, but allow me to correct some presuppositions; 1 - The person that referred me was a consultant in the firm, only leaving after my process had already started; 2 - The partner I’m referring to above is a completely different person. I hope this clarifies the situation and thank you for your reply. Any additional insights would be appreciated.

(edited)

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