Reapplying to MBB after previous rejection - Does my improved profile make a difference?

Question

I applied to MBB firms last year and made it to the final round with BCG, but did not receive an interview from the other two companies. I believe the main reasons for my rejection were my lack of exposure to the business world and insufficient preparation for case interviews.

I'm currently a 5th-year graduate student at target school, graduating this December. After my previous rejection, I've completed three part-time internships, including pro-bono consulting for a local non-profit, a venture fellowship, and a risk assessment consulting for the entrepreneurial center at my university. Additionally, I participated in a case competition and won a prize.

I'm curious to know if my past experience with these companies could potentially hurt my application this year, and whether addressing my past weaknesses and improving my profile would make a difference in my chances of success. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi there,

The short answer is yes!

Nice work on adding more experience to the resume.

Now, remember that getting the BCG inteerview invite already is a testament to your strong candidacy!

Please don't view missing 2 of 3 as a failure…getting 1 of 3 is a success!

You should have good odds in applying again.

Additionally,please don't underestimate the importance of networking!

Answer 2

Hi there,

Q: I'm curious to know if my past experience with these companies could potentially hurt my application this year, and whether addressing my past weaknesses and improving my profile would make a difference in my chances of success.

If the ban period is over, the previous applications should not affect you. Additionally, the improvements you had in your CV are for sure making your CV stronger.

In any case, the most important thing you can do to land an interview is to get a referral. You can find more on that below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 3

Hi there,

I like your thinking about the process.

Yes, certainly these additional experiences will help and no, having interviewed and failed does not reflect badly on you. It happens rather often that candidates apply multiple years in a row before they eventually get in.

I would recommend that you work on your CV and cover letter to increase your changes to pass the screening. More on this here:

Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Also, ideally, you'd get some referrals through coffee chats with existing consultants. More on this here:

Your Guide to Consulting Coffee Chats

Feel free to reach out directly if you have more questions. I can also have a look at your CV if it helps.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi there,

the fact that you already had interviews with BCG in the past suggests that your CV is strong enough for consulting. Why Bain and McK didn’t invite you back then would only be speculation.

Sounds like you added some relevant aspects to your CV in the meantime which is good. As long as you adhere to the 12-18 months ban period, your previous application will not be held against you.

So for the next attempt, try to also get referrals from MBB when applying to increase your chances to get invited for interviews. It would probably be a good idea to also apply to some tier 2 companies for additional interview practice.

Best of luck

Answer 5

Hi there,

I can't see any reason why those expereinces would hurt your application.

It is certainly a positive addition to your profile/ CV but difficult to say whether it will help you to pass the initial screening as your profile will be assessed wholistically vs other candidates applying.

Try to secure a referral if you want to have higher chances of being invited to the first screening assessment/ interview.

Good luck,

Lilit

Answer 6

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about the rejections from MBB!

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

First of all, while gaining additional relevant work experience will certainly not lower your chances of passing the screening phase of the application process, it is very difficult to provide a meaningful answer regarding your chances without reviewing your profile as a whole.
Moreover, please be aware that you are only assuming to know what the reasons for your rejections were. As such, I would highly advise you to consider reaching out to an experienced coach to have your application files reviewed.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 7

Hello,

All the new skills and experiences you've amassed will absolutely make a difference! Be sure to showcase them on your resume and prepare good answers for behavioral questions. Don't worry about previous rejections - this is exactly why candidates are allowed to reapply after a certain period of time. While it might be hard to pinpoint why you were rejected in the past, additional experience will always serve to strengthen your profile. Try not to dwell on past rejections, and apply away. Best of luck!