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Question

Should I stop trying to get into MBB?

Background: I applied to MBB 4 years ago, got into the first round interview and rejected for all. I applied again a few months back, I was rejected again due to tough competition (as per the interviewer) from Bain 1st round interview despite doing really well (in my opinion). I'm currently applying to McKinsey and I don't really know if I will pass... 

I did very extensive preparation: preparing with case coach, case practices with other candidates (around 200+ cases), read through the suggested books.

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Deleted
Coach
on Jun 24, 2020
Dubai|5+ years | Activity on hold

Hi there,

Don't drop the towel just yet - it isn't over until you go through your interviews! So keep your chin high and go get that job! It's still up to you.

However, keep in mind that there is a safety net in case the McK interview doesn't go as planned:

  • Tier 2: Life isn't about MBBs only - Tier-2 companies are a great career option (some people prefer it to MBB...and after few years there, you could easily switch to MBB as an experienced hire)
  • Boutique consulting: If you have a specific interest in a specific industry or function, look for boutique consulting firms that focus on that (usually most boutique firms are set-up by partners from MBB and tier-2)

Life isn't about MBB only - it's good to aim for them, but they are not the only good career option out there.

Feel free to reach out if you have any follow-on questions

Best

Khaled

Udayan
Coach
on Jun 24, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hi,

Given that you get first round interview invites, you have the background to get in to MBB (or they would not waste their time interviewing you).

It is hard to tell from your question alone, but if you are genuinely curious about whether your interview performance is holding you back (vs say other factors like the office you want to apply to etc.) then do a mock practice with either someone currently an interviewer at the firm or one of the many coaches here. It will give you a good idea of where you stand in terms of prep and how much time you would have to invest

All the best,

Udayan

Robert
Coach
on Jun 24, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for openly sharing your situation - I am sure many candidates are in a similar position and can actually benefit from your thread!

Well - case interviews is neither rocket science nor brain surgery, and in hardly any other firms you have such extensive knowledge and transparency about exact recruitment process and requirements - so definitely it can be done well.

However - your situation also looks like a very common situation of several previous coaching candidates of myself. For sure quantity matters to immerse yourself into this case interview world. BUT: quality first! Just having done 200 cases (which is really a lot, I need to say!) does not mean you fixed fundamental issues or did some last fine-tuning - and I have had many many candidates who received great feedback from other coaches and were thinking that they were ready for real interviews - until we had our first coaching session in which I confronted them with a real-life case scenario and toughness of a real interviewer.

So - from my perspective you should evaluate first if that was more quantity than quality prep, and if your really had appropriate coaches and systematically covered all your weak spots and improved that over time!

Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

Deleted
Coach
on Jun 24, 2020
ex-McKinsey I ex-Bain I Interviewer at McKinsey and Bain I 6-year consulting experience across 3 continents

How much as your profile changed since your last attempts (i.e. degrees, people management, steady progress in your current jobs etc). 

You would need to demonstrate material changes in your profile. 

I would definitely encourage you to apply however.

Good luck 

Ian
Coach
on Jul 03, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

1) The greatest accomplishments come from temporary defeat.

2) Quality over quantity

3) If at first you don't succeed, and you try try again and still don't succeed, maybe think about how you're trying

^this last one is invented. You're doing something wrong...don't just keep trying to break a rock with your bare hands....pivot...hire a coach...change your mindset/approach to casing!

Clara
Coach
on Jun 29, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I guess it depends on how convinced you are that this is your dream job. 

Have you tried working with a coach for specific feedback on what can be not working? This can open you points that you had until now in blind spots. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Gaurav
Coach
on Nov 15, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there,

I agree with other experts, life is not only about MBB.

But of course, I understand you. Don’t give up if it’s your real dream!

I would also recommend you try to take a coach when you apply again. I am sure it will help you to get a dream job. 

Do you need any further help?

All the best, 

GB

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