I have already received a rejection from MBB and Oliver Wyman. I am waiting for an answer from Roland Berger.
Why my profile is getting rejected and not getting called for an interview? I am doing MSc in Electrical Engineering and have 2.9 years of experience in Software Consultancy Domain. I am fluent in English but can only carry basic conversations in German. I am applying in Germany
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Hi Zankrut,
the evalatuion criteria can be divided into hard and soft criteria, where hard criteria are e.g. grades, required languages, a minimum of work experience, and work permission and soft criteria relate to e.g. particular industries you have worked in, extra-curricular activities etc.
From the situation you describe, it seems very likely that you do not fulfill one or more of those hard criteria. Some advice on what this means for you:
- Grades: If your grades are not sufficient, top strategy consultancies will not invite you, however, smaller consultancies may do so. Is there any chance to still improve your grades?
- Work experience: Top consultancies require you to have gathered relevant work experience (i.e. in consulting or in large and well-known corporates) - if you lack this experience, it may make sense to complete an internship in a smaller consultancy or in a corporate before applying to top strategy consultancies
- Language: As Vlad said - most offices in Germany will require fluent German skills as you will spend a considerable part of your career working for German clients (and those simpy love to talk German) - is it worth taking intensive German classes until you reach a sufficient level or would you want to consider applying in English-speaking countries as well? Btw, you will find information on required language skills on recruiting websites
- Work permit: Do you have a work permit for Germany? If so, mention it on your CV. If not, this will be something that will prevent you from being invited. In this case, consider applying for other offices.
Please note that you should leave some time before applying again to MBB and Oliver Wyman.
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Dorothea
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Hi,
In order to work for consulting companies in Germany, you have to be fluent in German.
There might be other reasons as well, but I can't provide any other recommendations without your resume.
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Hi Zankrut,
the rule of being fluent in the local language applies in consulting even more than in other industries. This is true for Germany, but it is even more critical in latin languages countries (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and South America) where often documents are prepared in local language. I saw many of my brilliant colleagues having their application rejected just because of language (in Italy, a B2 equivalent in Italian might be not enough). This applies in the vast majority of consulting firms (from MBB to smaller ones).
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Lorenzo
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