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Will my background story be a problem for McKinsey?

and Bain BCG McKinsey
New answer on Dec 16, 2019
6 Answers
1.5 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 16, 2019

So I'm a bit stuck having exhausted my chances at Bain and BCG, and could use some advice about how/ when to break into McKinsey and when to re-apply to BCG where I made it to the final round.

For McKinsey especially, I'm worried that applying for a January start would be a mistake given feedback about my background story.

Background:

I graduated near the top of my MBA class in May (from a target in my country), and was subsequently forced to close down my startup (small fintech that helped large corporates discover, partner with and invest in startups around the globe) due to unexpected circumstances and started the job search off-cycle in June.

In September, I joined the strategy team at a $2B+ growth equity fund manager on a contract basis to develop investment and value creation strategies around select industry verticals due to my previous consulting background in those verticals; it also included deal-level due diligence.

Since then, I've interviewed at Bain, BCG and several internal strategy roles; interviews I had organized via my network at my MBA and developed over time. I was initially struggling with the cases at the internal roles and Bain, but then made it to final rounds at BCG after a step change in my attitude towards casing.

The feedback from BCG's final round interviews was two-fold:

  1. They said my recommendations for the first case could have been more solid and practical (that was fair as I wasn't happy with them in comparison with the first round cases)

  2. They were concerned that joining the growth equity fund was a sign that I didn't want to be a consultant; which was devastating to me as I thought it would only improve my profile

Complication + question:

Given the above advice, I was wondering if applying to McKinsey now would also be a problem from a background story perspective? If so how can I address/ mitigate it?

My honest reason for joining the growth equity firm is that it offered me the same balance of strategy and investments that I loved in my startup in a more mature environment, and would enable me to find which of those verticals I would like going forward. I quickly figured out it's strategy and that's the reason why I carried forward with the other interviews in the first place.

Now I have 3 months left on the contract at the growth equity firm and am wondering whether I should wait a year or so in another role before applying to McKinsey.

(edited)

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Best answer
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
I think you could apply even now, arriving very well prepared on questions related on your choices. There is nothing bad in doing interviews before the ending of a contract, and working in a fund is not opposite to join a consulting firm, therefore you can build a solid story. Being close to your MBA the sooner you apply the better.

Best,
Antonello

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Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

I think that you should just try to better motivate your choice and build a solid story around it.
Think about it: HR staff knew since the beginning your background story, but they invited you to start the process. Why?For sure they didn't do that just to waste their sources' time.
More than likely there was something that didn't convince your interviewer during the fit part of your last round.
I wouldn't stop and I would just try to reinforce your preparation for the fit part of the interview. It's full of people coming from other jobs after short time in consulting.
Regarding re-applying at BCG: usually you have a 1-year ban after failing the interview.

Hope it helps,
Luca

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

you can apply (and potentially get an offer) from McK at this stage, however you would need a very solid reason on why you want to switch your industry so early (the motivation you wrote in the description is not solid enough). If you can motivate that in an adequate way, I don’t see reasons to postpone the application; if that’s not possible at this stage, it would make more sense to wait at least one year in the industry before applying.

In terms of the ban in MBB, the standard length is 24 months. In some cases, they may offer a lower period – 12 or even 6 months (they normally communicate this in the feedback). In some cases you may also reduce the timeline if you manage to apply again with a strong referral (partner level).

Best,
Francesco

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I believe that is a matter of how you build your narrative, i.e, how you tell that story.

You should very much work on (1) the reasons why you want to leave a company before the 1st initial 6 months, (2) how your initial motivation to go there was indeed to enhance your profile and (3) how you are passionate about Consulting -so it´s not your back-up plan-.

Hence, I would apply to McK right away, since it doesn´t seem as an issue with you background but more about how you have talked about that experience/not stressed enaugh your passion for Consulting.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Deniz
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call

Hi,

There is a chance that you may have overemphasized/looked quite passionate about your current role, and you may not have expressed your interest in consulting enough.

I personally don't think your background is irrelevant as we have many colleagues at MBB with a similar background as yours.

Best,

Deniz

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Dec 16, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

In general, if you are changing your job in 4 months after joining it's a bad sign and puts you in a weak position. I would wait till the end of the contract (one full year) and apply then

Best

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Anonymous A on Dec 16, 2019

Thanks for the advice! I may have to rethink a few things based on this. The contract is only for 6 months so I could figure out where to go (investment team at VC or strategy consulting).

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