Rescheduling first round MBB interview?

BCG interviewer led MBB
Recent activity on Oct 10, 2018
6 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Oct 09, 2018

I have an upcoming first round interview at BCG in two weeks - this is my first consulting interview and have only begun case prepping.

Do you think it puts me at a disadvantage to reschedule to a week later? I am concerned I might not perform as well as I would like, but also concerned that rescheduling is not a good look.

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Egor
Expert
replied on Oct 09, 2018
Collected McKinsey & BCG offers/ Ex-McKinsey consultant/Harvard/WBS/MSU

Hi A,

I do not agree with Alessandro: rescheduling will not be seen negatively. It is great that you want to rescedule. If I were you, I would reschedule the interview for at least 2-3 weeks.

It is normal to reschedule the interview if you do not feel confident about it. It is not a lottery and there are several things you should demonstrate during the interview to become a consultant. For a short period it is difficult to hone something, if you have never done that before.

My suggestion would be to call HR and explain the situation. HRs at BIG3 are supportive and interested in good candidates.

If HRs insist on a particular date, ask for the interviews in different dates at other locations and tell that you would be happy to join, Costs will be covered by BCG, no worries about that.

All the best,
Egor

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Sidi
Expert
replied on Oct 10, 2018
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Absolutely reschedule! It is not seen negatively, and the truth is your interviewers will not even be aware (they have nothing to do with the process around interview scheduling etc.).

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Guennael
Expert
replied on Oct 09, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

I'm with Vlad and Egor. Consider this: it is in no-one's interest to have you come when you are not ready. Consultancies want the best people, If you aren't ready, you won't give a good impression and waste everyone's time.

Collectively, we have probably seen many dozens of clients successfully reschedule. No penalty, no downside. Worst case, they can't reschedule and you have to come at the initial date anyway.

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Oct 09, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Agree with Egor. If it is not the Internship / university recruiting with a strong timeline - please reschedule. There is absolutely no penalty for rescheduling and there is no point of going to the interview unprepared.

Best!

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Benjamin
Expert
updated an answer on Oct 10, 2018
ex-Manager - Natural and challenging teacher - Taylor case solving, no framework

Hi,

If no deadldine on your side (such as internship) I think that if you don't feel ready you simply ask for re-scheduling later. I am sure they will appreciate.
It's better to itw later someone ready than right now someone who has just began preps.
Best
Benjamin

(edited)

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Anonymous replied on Oct 09, 2018

If you reschedule for a legitimate reason, this won't be viewed negatiely, as long as you manage the process properly. However it's not ideal to say the reason to reschedule is to have more time to prep, so I'd suggest you tell a bit of a white lie and say you have a personal situation (without giving details) which means you can no longer attend the session next week. My suggestion would be:

1) Contact HR, saying that something personal has come up and that you can no longer attend the current interview date

2) be flexible and very appreciative of HR as they try to reschedule you for a different session

3) Of course, if they tell you you cannot reschedule, tell them you will try find a way to still attend (you obviously still want to attend the interview, in case they can't reschedule).

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Egor gave the best answer

Egor

Collected McKinsey & BCG offers/ Ex-McKinsey consultant/Harvard/WBS/MSU
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