What should I do to get beyond CV screening at MBB?

Question

I am a recent PhD engineering graduate from a top school (batch 2020). I have been in top schools throughout with top grades/publications and have had well demonstrated analytical as well as leadership skills throughout my academic life. Resume is written impact oriented (yes including numbers and action verbs), cover letter includes a quick dive into targeted qualities (analytical, leadership and driven) with demonstrated examples, along with touchpoints on my motivation in pursuing the firm.

Applied to Bain internship, got rejected (saying large number of applicants, basically the generic rejection email), applied to full-time consulting position as an APD (in BCG)-got rejected (again generic email saying-impressed by your achievements, your profile does not match our current needs etc).

Right now, I'm in strongest phase of my case cracking. What can I do to get that interview?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

There are three main things you need to be invited for interviews:

A great CV
A great Cover (not always required)
A referral – the more senior the person the better

We cannot judge the CV without seeing it, but it seems you have covered the basics. So my hypothesis is that what you should add is a strong referral.

To find a referral, you should follow three steps:

Identify the people that can help you
Write to them a customized email
Have a call and indirectly ask for a referral

You can find more information on the steps here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,

Francesco

Answer 2

Hey there,

There are 4 things that need to stand out on your resume in order to pass the screening stage.

Academia (prestigious school, top grades, other achievements,...)
Work experience (internships, working student, and full-time positions with respectable companies, where you had to demonstrate the skills needed in consulting)
Experience abroad (worked or studied abroad)
Extracurriculars (NGOs, leadership in a sports team, any other clubs,...)

Now from what you are writing, I see that you have covered the first section and potentially the last section as well.

I am not sure about work experience and experience abroad?

Did you gain any work experience outside of the Ph.D.?
If yes, do you highlight it correctly?

The resume needs to be polished with the right keywords, phrases, and content and at the current stage, you might miss something here.

Additionally, in your situation, it would be crucial to score one or two referrals to increase your chances to pass the screening stage (more on the how, here: https://strategycase.com/how-to-get-a-referral-for-mckinsey-bcg-bain)

DM me if you have any questions!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

Hi there,

This is definitely a case of networking here!

Feel free to reach out to discuss a bit further (verbalizing is a bit better than just writing steps), but I recommend the following:

a) Reach out to people in your network

b) Reach out to people once removed from your network

c) Reach out to people with a similar backgorund to you (i.e. same alma mater, same historically underrepresented demographic i.e. gender, orientation, ethnicity, etc., same career switch, etc.)

d) Tailor a message to them specifically both showing interest in them and their journey and demonstrating that you have done your research and could be a valuable hire

e) Play "tag" across calls you get so that you can work your way towards the company/office/role you want

f) Never directly ask for a referral, but "hint" at needing one (this is nuanced and important...happy to talk through wording)

Answer 4

Hi Anonymous,

Good luck with your applications later! Just an advice for case interviews. Some interviewers will be the bad cops to test how you react under pressure, so just a heads up to get ready for some soft-skill tests! One of my interviews did not involve any case (yes, none), it was 100% conversational. All the best!

Answer 5

Really surprised by the amount of generic comments here. The guy literally said he did everything, has a perfect record, yet the CV does not go through. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that there is some sort of prejudice in play here as he is a foreigner from what I understood.