Hey there, The answer, as often is the case, is "it depends". In general, it is different to "typical just postings" in a couple ways: In some cases, recruiting happens year round, and there isn't... (more)
Hey there, The answer, as often is the case, is "it depends". In general, it is different to "typical just postings" in a couple ways: In some cases, recruiting happens year round, and there isn't a specific number of associates/BAs they are looking to hire. This is sometimes even the case in fall recruiting - for example, I heard that McKinsey's London office has no "intake target" for fall recruiting but will simply hire all candidates who were "good enough". In this situation you are really just competing against yourself. In some cases, of course, there may be a limited number of positions. However, since consulting firms are always looking for best talent, if they genuinely thought you were good enough for the job, it is unlikely that they will reject you simply because there is no space right now. They may offer you a position in another office (or to go through another set of interviews for this office), or propose a delayed start-date. I think this might be especially the case in Germany, where there are many offices so it seems reasonable that if there are no spaces in Frankfurt, you might be offered a space in the Munich office. The example you gave about potentially no one getting an offer is also true - consultancies don't just say "we will hire the top 10 candidates we interview". Rather, firms have well defined standards they are looking for in their applicants. If no candidate meets the mark, then the firm will hire no candidates. However, if more than 10 do and there are only 10 spaces, they may try to find an alternate solution (e.g. the points I mentioned in point 2). Hope that clears some things up! Alessandro
I have seen a guy showing up to an interview and discuss an idea and get a potential buy-in from the Senior Partner. He got out of the room with the Senior Partner interested in developing the idea... (more)
I have seen a guy showing up to an interview and discuss an idea and get a potential buy-in from the Senior Partner. He got out of the room with the Senior Partner interested in developing the idea and fund raise for that. Outstanding sign of entrepreneurship.
Hi, I would say that at the 2nd round the partners are more demanding to your interpersonal skills than the fresh managers of the 1st round. The partners in the last round are more experienced and... (more)
Hi, I would say that at the 2nd round the partners are more demanding to your interpersonal skills than the fresh managers of the 1st round. The partners in the last round are more experienced and they will challenge every single detail of your story. They can easily spot if you have problems with communication, etc. And they will be looking at you have a question in mind: "Can I put this person in front of the client or not" Best
Hi, I would list a number of things: Case interview: Not listening to the interviewer (Forgetting the information provided, not listening to the interviewer's tips, answering the wrong que... (more)
Hi, I would list a number of things: Case interview: Not listening to the interviewer (Forgetting the information provided, not listening to the interviewer's tips, answering the wrong question) Poor structure (not enough levels, not seeing the big picture, a structure not answering the question / answering a wrong question) Using "book structures" (3c, 4p, etc) or structures not tailored enough for the case The candidate is not structured enough (you are structuring in the beginning, but fail to structure during the case) Math mistakes (one may be ok, more than 1 - no go) Not communicating the math properly (you don't communicate the way you do calculations and stay silent) Lack of creativity (candidate cannot brainstorm creatively on solving the problem) Lack of top-down communication (candidate does not apply the pyramid principle in his communication) lack of business judgment (candidates ideas are too general / do not reflect the specifics of the industry / function) Fit interview: Can the candidate talk to the client right now? The candidate does not look mature (outfit, behavior, language) The candidate is too nervous (Being a bit is ok, shaking is probably too much) Candidate can not provide the examples of certain traits (e.g. leadership). Candidate fails to answer additional questions about his stories (i.e. the story was made up) The candidate is not friendly / enthusiastic / shows no emotions The candidate stories do not differentiate from the others (e.g. Leading a team in a case competition as a lead story) Best!
