Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Reapply

Bain McKinsey
New answer on Dec 30, 2020
7 Answers
1.7 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 09, 2020

Hello everyone.

I got rejected for the AC position at Bain in the month of September 2020. However, I was networking aggressively at that point in time and I have got a reply from the partner who is working at Bain a couple of days ago and he is ready to refer me.

I do not know how to handle this situation. Should I tell him that I already got rejected a few months ago or should I let him refer me, what if he comes to know that I already got rejected.

Looking for help here.

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Anonymous replied on Dec 09, 2020

Hi A!

I'd say it depends on where in the process you got rejected earlier.

If it was at the CV screening - so you didn't get an interview in the first place, I'd be open about it and tell them about the history. If they refer you to HR, this might open a door for another screening.

If you got rejected after an interview, I don't think this referral will help you to get considered again.

In any case, you should be open about the process so far. The partner will eventually hear from HR when they refer you and if that comes at a surprise, that certainly does not put you (and them) in a good position.

Was this answer helpful?
16
Vlad
Expert
replied on Dec 09, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

It's a tricky question since you should have mentioned the partner that you got rejected. What was the step?

  • If you failed the interview, pls tell the partner immediately
  • If it was the CV screening stage - most probably you'll be fine

Best

Was this answer helpful?
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 09, 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 Hennig that it depends on the stage when you got rejected. If it was before the interview you still can try to reaply, however you should be honest with your partner. If you have been rejected after the referral will not help you.

Was it helpful?

GB

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 10, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I would be transparent with this person 100%, or you will burn this bridge for whenver you need it.

Be upfront, tell the person that you believe you guys should wait at least until the summer, and wait for his guidance.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 09, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

You absolutely need to be upfront and tell him.

I'm not sure the sequence of events, but I hope you didn't have a full phone call with him without mentioning this fact?

If you applied and were rejected before the interview stage, you should be able to work around the system a bit with the Partner's referral. However, if you actually interviewed at the company and were rejected, the Partner's referral will likely take you nowhere (I would expect the Partner to tell you to wait 1-2 years and improve your case interview preparation in the meantime).

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 30, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I recommend being clear about it. In this period, due to pandemic, I have seen lots of exception from the standard bans

Best,
Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Dec 30, 2020

Hi,

Being open is always a good idea. It will help you to know:

  1. If that is going to be a problem
  2. Show that you are an honest character

Best,
iman

Was this answer helpful?
0