Applying Back to a consulting after getting fired

Question

Hello everyone,

I need some clarification from your side, and I thank you in advance for your help.

Over two years ago, I had the opportunity to apply to consulting firms. I was hired by Kearney, but my experience there went badly, and I was let go after six months for three main reasons:

My lack of experience in consulting, as I come from a very scientific background.
A company that was relatively struggling: My office had lost two project extensions with significant staffing cuts, and the overall context wasn’t great.
Limited mentoring: Despite my requests and feedback indicating I was making progress (though still below expectations), I didn’t receive much guidance.

Currently, I’m working in strategy at a large company, and things are going rather well—it’s been 1 year and 2 months.

Here’s where the problem arises: I’d like to apply to a consulting firm again. I have an upcoming McKinsey event, and in general, I’ll be going through processes where it’s indicated that I had previously applied for a permanent position.

I’ve thought of three possible options, but each has its drawbacks:

Not mentioning the experience: This would leave a gap in my CV. Moreover, firms (particularly McKinsey, where I’m attending an event) know I’ve applied for a permanent position before, so I can’t entirely hide my experience.
Claiming it was an internship: This could potentially contradict the fact that I had applied for a permanent position. However, when I left EY-Parthenon, HR told me they were willing to support this explanation.
Being honest about what went well and what went poorly, explaining how I’ve analyzed and grown from the experience. However, this could invite difficult questions.

Thank you again for your support and advice on this matter. I truly appreciate your insights!

Answer 1

In my experience, honesty is the best policy. However, you control the messaging. You don't have to be overly detailed about why you were let go. Keep the experience on your resume; don't call attention to length/firing when mentioning it during an intro, and only give a high-level answer when needed.

Short intro: I did a brief stint at XYZ and ABC and have spent the past year developing my consulting toolkit in the strategy team and [insert company]

Why you left: The firm experienced a downturn, and its headcount reduction plan impacted me. In my six months there, I was exposed to [insert industries and functions] and confirmed a long-term interest in consulting. The timing took me off the recruiting cycle for major firms, so I landed an internal strategy role to continue strengthening my profile and wait for the right time to reapply to [insert the target company].

This is just a quick brainstorming without additional context. I'd be happy to chat about application strategy/networking and help you build a compelling narrative for your upcoming events and applications.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Congrats on the trajectory! It does not always work out immediately, but you kept at it. :-)

Having worked with a few people over the last year who were let go across different firms, mainly due to headcount reduction (in addition to sometimes below expected performance), there is a 4th option:

When discussing your stint at Kearney, be honest about the position (don't say it was an internship).
Also don't leave it out. It actually demonstrates that you have worked in consulting before and know what you are getting yourself into. That's a plus.
When asked about the short duration, focus on the headcount reduction, poor project pipeline and that being junior did not help in that situation.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 3

hey!

Applying back to consulting after a challenging experience can be sensitive but manageable if approached thoughtfully. Based on my experience at McKinsey and BCG and observing similar cases, honesty combined with a narrative of growth is often the best strategy.

Be transparent about your Kearney tenure: You don’t need to overemphasize it, but don’t hide or misrepresent it either. Misleading claims, such as calling it an internship, can backfire if the firm cross-checks details. Instead, position it as a valuable learning experience—acknowledge that it wasn’t a perfect fit initially but emphasize how it motivated you to upskill and perform successfully in your current role.

Frame your progress: Highlight how your time at Kearney exposed you to consulting fundamentals, and share how you addressed the gaps identified there in your current role. Showcase how the feedback and experiences helped you grow into someone who now contributes effectively in strategic work and is ready to excel in consulting.

Proactively manage questions: During interviews, steer the narrative toward your current achievements and readiness for consulting, rather than dwelling on the past. For instance, explain how you've gained valuable skills, developed resilience, and now understand what it takes to succeed in consulting.

Tailor communication to the firm: Firms value candidates who show maturity, self-awareness, and the ability to grow. McKinsey, in particular, appreciates candidates who can reflect on past setbacks and articulate how they’ve evolved as a result.

With this approach, your story won’t be about "getting fired" but about overcoming challenges, building expertise, and being ready to succeed in consulting. This maturity and perseverance can resonate positively with interviewers.

Good luck! Alessa

Answer 4

Reapplying to consulting after being let go is challenging but not impossible. Focus on addressing the factors behind your exit constructively, demonstrating growth and resilience. Highlight new skills, relevant experiences, and steps you've taken to strengthen your candidacy. Consulting firms value persistence and self-awareness, so be transparent in interviews without overexplaining. Ensure your applications emphasize the lessons learned and your readiness to succeed this time. Networking effectively and showcasing your renewed commitment will also be crucial.

Thanks Ashwin

Answer 5

I recommend being honest about the position you applied for and what happened. There’s no need to share specific details—focus instead on the part about the “company that was relatively struggling.”

Best,

Alberto