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What is the calibration process and how does it work?

Hi PrepLounge,

During my interview yesterday, the interviewer told me that they will get back to me after they have interviewed other candidates and completed the calibration process. May I know what such a process entails please?

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Top answer
Ian
Coach
on Apr 02, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Basically, the interviewers who interviewed you need to have a discussion. They'll talk through their rating of you (across a set of critera) as well as their overall impression. From there, they'll determine if you move on.

I would highly advise you to stop even thinking about this starting now! Trying to figure out the exact process behidn the scenes, analyzing your interview over and over, etc. is all just unproductive! 

Rather, focus your efforts on further prep/practice and on recharging yourself for the anticipated round 2 :)

Fingers crossed for you!

Deleted user
on Apr 03, 2021

That simply means that they are interviewing a number of candidates for a limited set of positions and they are waiting until they have finished all interviews so that they can rank the candidates and extend an offer to the top x.

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Udayan
Coach
on Apr 03, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

They want to benchmark your performance against the other candidates. Usually this is easier to do as people are called for superdays and you can see everyone's performance at the same time. This is harder to do during the pandemic hence the need for more time.

Best,

Udayan

Clara
Coach
on Apr 03, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It only means that they are interviewing X people for Y positions (where x > y) and that they need to see not only if you were good, but how good you were in comparaison to the rest)

Cheers, 

Clara

Denis
Coach
on Apr 03, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews

Fancy consulting lingo for deciding on your fate after discussing your performance between your interviewers.

on Apr 02, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, it is a way to compare the performance of every applicant for the few slots available. Usually, they will keep you posted in a maximum of 2 weeks

Best,
Antonello

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