I found out today that after my final round interviews with BCG I did not get the offer. The feedback I got was that they were not convinced of my business judgment and I needed to work on my final recommendations. I am very disappointed but the process assured me that this is what I want to be doing. I want to work on these skills and reapply but I don't know how to go about working on improving my business judgment or improving my final recommendations any more than the work I have already done on them. Is there any advice on how I can work on these skills and improve as well as how to get over the disappointment? I'm having a really hard time getting in the mindset to focus on moving forward.
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Rejection After Final Round Interviews BCG
Overview of answers
ah thats so close! Frustrating I can imagine and sorry to hear this. But every rejection gets you closer to success.
Stronger application next time, more practice and becoming sharper in solving cases is the only way I am afraid. Read more - FT/Economist, CNBC, TED etc etc
Why are you so disappointed? Yes, I know this job meant a lot to you, but you are okay- safe, healthy, well educated etc etc. So much to be grateful about. Life always doesnt work out the way you want and thats okay. Its all for good reasons. This will make sense in future when you look back- the dots will connect.
Try again, don't give up and keep moving forward!
Hello there!
Sorry about your rejection, you've almost got it, so you definitely need to keep going. The effort you put is huge and nothing is done in vain, so let passing the previous rounds be your privilege next time. That, of course, doesn't mean, that you should prepare only for the final one.
I reccomend you to try with a referral next time.
Do you need any further help?
GB
Hello!
Sorry to hear about that. However, you seem to be dealing with it in a impressive way, taking only the good things to build on!
Have you considered applying to the other 2 MBB and/or other consulting companies?
Best,
Clara
Hi,
I think you have the right mindset.
I would suggest to apply to other MBB and also try the tier 2 strategy consulting firms like Oliver Wayman, Strategy&, Kearney
In any case keep moving forward after you overcome your dissapointment.
It always start with taking a break.
Let things settle.
And then start reflecting on what were the things in your power to improve.
Always focus on what is within your control. Not outside of it.
Then get back to work.
Sharing here a resource on how to set up an application strategy that helps you diversify risk and get at least one offer:
Best,
Cristian
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Hi, I fully understand your frustration. Unfortunately, negative feedback is often generic and not 100% transparent. Of course you should work on top down communication for final recommendation and on improving your common business sense with business journals and MBB articles. However I would not underestimate an overall feedback you can get by a friend in consulting/a coach/a former consultant to get an actual overview about your improvement poitns
best
Antonello
Hi there,
Sorry to hear that. Please find my suggestions below:
Improvements
- Final recommendation. I would recommend what I wrote here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/at-the-end-of-the-case-interview-what-should-we-do-as-a-closing-conclusion-how-would-you-structure-a-synthesis-3832
- Lack of business judgment. This feedback is very generic (as often happens in feedback that they provide) and it is difficult to provide any actionable next step. Please feel free to PM me if you have more details on what you did wrong
Disappointment
- Practical steps. If you reached the final, you are good for consulting. You can definitely make it, but you also need to expand your options. If you haven’t, apply to McK and Bain as well. If you have done so and got rejected, apply next year with a referral. Target 3 final rounds and you will very likely land at least an offer.
- Mindset. Read Can’t Hurt Me. You will learn how this guy went through 3 Hell weeks before making it. Applying again will seem like a breeze after it ;)
Best,
Francesco
Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear this, but, remember one thing: that's life!
I wasn't even consdered by BCG coming out of undergrad. 6 years later, after 4 years work experience and an MBA I got in!
The greatest accomplishments come from temporary defeat. And, if you made it to the final round of one of the top firms of the world, I assure you, this is indeed temporary defeat
Now, in order to improve, you need to do 2 things:
1) Hire a coach (If you truly want a mindset shift and a jolt, this is what you need)
2) Start reading every day:
- Daily Business News/Thinking: Financial Times
- Larger Thinking/Trends: The Economist
- Crash course: BCG Insights, McKinsey Featured Insights
For the past decade I have read The Economist and the Financial Times daily. This built-up knowledge was instrumental in ensuring I had the right thinking+base knowledge for casing.
Also to improve your business judgement:
- Reading through (and fully understanding cases)
- Working on a mindset shift (happy to teach you a session in this)
Hi, I'm very sorry to hear about that. I experienced similar experiences previously and I understand how painful it can be.
First, I think you should take a break. It looks like you're using your negative emotions to drive yourself immediately and that can lead to burnout. Let's try to avoid that.
Second, I think you should adopt the mindset that life will always work out in the end. In 5-10 years, none of this will matter. Believe that life always works out in the end - provided you work hard and invest in your own success.
I always thought I wanted to be in venture capital & finance. I then got rejected by every single firm (30+) I applied to in finance despite going to a top school. I then realized how much I hated finance and then tried consulting and was also rejected everywhere except for one firm, which turned out to be my dream job. And keep in mind I also worked hard. I'm in a top 5 university in the world, 3.9 GPA with good experiences.
All I'm saying is that life always works out. It just takes one offer to change everything. Keep your head up and keep grinding!