Underperform in appraisal...Is PIP always granted? Need your advice please.

Hi,

This will be firm and geography (depending on how the firm is organized/run) specific.

At least for BCG, there are 2 key events/phases:

1. Performance Improvement Plan (informally known as “watchlist”)
   • This is when you are underperforming at a level that does not meet your current tenure's expectations
2. Transition
   • This is after the decision has been made that you will be counselled out

Legal rules around firing employees differ by country, but more often than not at least at MBB, you will know when you are underperforming and the firm will let you know that you are underperforming

Whether or not its negotiable - drop me a dm 

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you had a tough start. I was also close to Issues at the end of my first year at McKinsey and it took quite some effort to turn it around. But it’s definitely doable! 

Happy to connect and share some thoughts. I’ve also put some of my key learnings in these two articles: 

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/entry-level-consultant-what-is-it-like
https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/management-consulting-working-hours
 

Then, if you are asked to leave, the process differs from country to country also in line with their employment law. Overall, though, it’s negotiable. I’ve seen consultants in Germany being asked to leave and receiving almost half a year pay ahead and I’ve also seen consultants in other geographies receive nothing, but being allowed to sit on the bench for 3 months doing nothing (guess in a way it’s still being paid in advance).

Try to rather speak with other people from your office who have left and they will know better the degrees of freedom you have there. 

Best of luck!

Dear candidate, 

when underperforming in appraisal, do not worry, take it as a big reminder to immediately develop a path to greatness, act as much on the feedback as you can and most importantly, develo your own path, decide what matters to you, where you are heading and HOW you want to work? Sometimes you yourself want to go another path or have more choices and figuring this out helps a lot, you can also get another great review next time, if you ensure you focus your efforts on addressing this.

Best regards, Pope

Hello,

Yes, underperforming consultants are always given an opportunity to improve! It will be crucial to make sure you understand the areas you are underperforming in, make a concrete plan to address them, put in the work to do so, seek feedback throughout the process, and demonstrate clear improvement.