Applying full-time after getting rejected for internship

Hi,

It will not limit your chance. However, it's better to have a referral to pass the CV screening phase.

There are certain criteria for the referral:

1. The consultant makes you a reference in the system and uploads your resume. Usually, he has to indicate why he thinks you are a good candidate
2. You skip some steps in the recruiting process (CV screening at McK, Test at Bain)
3. The consultant gets a referral bonus ($) if you get a job offer

The conversion to reference will be higher among consultant / manager level people who are still interested in the referral bonus. The basic idea is to ask these people for a mock interview.

Here are some tips on how you can do that:

1) Leverage your own network - find friends or friends of friends who can practice cases with you or make you a reference.

2) Attend company events. Consulting companies do a lot of events both for graduates and experienced hires. Find the social network groups related to consulting or websites, subscribe to newsletters and stay tuned. Also, check if they have events in your University since you are a PHD.

While some of the events will be open to everyone, others will require a resume and a cover letter, so make sure to prep.

3) Talk to people on the events and send Thank You notes. After each event, there is a Q&A session where you can talk to consultants 1 on 1 or in a group. Ask for contact info or send a thank you note after the event ("I just wanted to thank you for visiting our University... It was especially interesting to hear about... Would be happy to keep in touch and apply in the nearest future.). Alternatively, you may use linkedin for that. If you are an experienced hire I strongly suggest to ask for a 1 on 1 meeting in a thank you note.

4) 1 on 1 meetings. All people like giving an advice. So don't hesitate to ask consultants for a career advice. Tell your story and ask how consulting fits into it

5) Mock interview Depending on where you are in your prep process you may ask a consultant for a mock interview. Consultants are very much opened to help even if it is a cold call e-mail. The main problem is a lack of time on their side. So don't be afraid to remind about yourself if the consultant has already committed but finds it hard to find the time

6) Talking to partners If you are an experienced hire I suggest to talk directly to the partners in your industry or the partner responsible for experienced hires (in consulting partners also have additional roles). Get an intro from the HR or from your friends working there. Partners care a lot about experienced hires with relevant industry expertise. Chances to get referral are much lower though. They also will not be interested in giving mock interviews.

7) If you are an MBA graduate Just talk to your section mates and ask for a reference or a mock interview - they will be happy to help. Make sure you attend all the consulting events.

Good luck!

Get the referral from smb working at MBB – it will increase your chances dramatically

Hi,

No, your chances would not be affected at all, don't worry. But that doesn't assure you to pass again the CV screen, because you'll be evaluated against the current applicants for that specific moment.

You can always re-apply but in all fairness if you got rejected for the summer there is a strong likelihood you won't be called in for the full time role

Some exceptions to this

1. Singificant change in your resume - namely a high vaue brand internship

2. Referral by a partner

All the best,

Udayan

Hello there, 

Since you have past the CV screening in the summer internships, then the driving factor of your exclusion on the internship would likely be the consistency on your case performance.
This is a positive indicator as it means your profile is attractive for the firm.

In this case, it is advisable to practice case interviews intensively to prepare for full-time application. As the failure on the internship application will likely not hurt your chances of getting the full-time interview, but failing twice (particularly if it contains similar failure points) will not reflect well. 

In any case, keep your motivation up and do prepare for the interview.

Hope it helps.
I wish you all the best.

Kind regards,
​Nathan

Hello!

Should not be a problem, in my class of BAs at McKinsey there were many people who had tried as students and only nailed in their 2nd attempt. 

Just ensure you learn from last time´s mistakes. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara