Bain's application process

Hi there!

Sorry to hear about this complication. 

Basically, the way it works in practice is that your first option office is the one that receives your application, and they decide whether to accept it or not. 

There are very few situations where they will forward the application to the second preference options. 

In short, you shouldn't expect responses from all the offices. Getting a rejection from the first one is the end of the game. 

Of course, what must be frustrating in your situation is that the application was not even considered (not really rejected in that sense). 

So I recommend that you reach out individually to the Istanbul office to understand whether they recommend you apply at a different time. 

If it turns out that they are not accepting applications at all at the moment (which might be why they rejected yours), then I would directly contact the second preference office and discuss whether they are considering applications. 

Bain aside, make sure that you apply to other firms as well and do your due diligence as much as possible beforehand on whether they are accepting applications (by discussing directly with the recruiters). 

This article might help as well:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Good luck!
Cristian

Hi there,

I'm really sorry to hear about the snag in your application process. These things suck!!!

From what I know, typically, your application is initially reviewed by your first-choice office. If it is rejected there it should be moved to the second choice and so on. Otherwise, what is the purpose of applying to three different offices with different timelines and hiring quotas?

My suggestion would be to get in touch with the other offices in your list to clarify how to continue. You might also reach out to the IST office to clarify with them whether your application was not considered due to timing issues and if they recommend applying again at a different time.

Also, while Bain is a great choice, I'd encourage you to consider other firms as well. And, before applying, connect directly with current and active consultants from the target offices to get a better sense of their current hiring status as well as to score referrals.

All the best going forward!

Florian

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, Bain in Switzerland does not seem to have a specific application deadline. I would also advise you to reach out to the recruiting departments of your other target offices directly to inquire about the details, as they will know best.
• Moreover, depending on your ranking of target offices, you should be considered by at least one of them (if you get an invitiation from your highest-ranked office directly), yet you might not get feedback from every office that considered you, unless you're being invited.
• Lastly, I would advise you to apply for the position you seem appropriate. In case the interviewer who screens your application thinks differently, they will tell you.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming Bain applications and interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

First of all, please remember that your odds were always low (5%). So, don't take it personally.

Second, related to the above, never get obsessed or hung up on ONE firm. Network with a ton and apply to a ton!

Third, also relatedly, NETWORK. The time to reach out to the offices was before you applied.

What to do next?

1. Get your resume professionally reviewed
2. Get your cover letter professionally reviewed
3. Network a ton (with a proper networking strategy)
4. Apply to a ton of other firms
5. Forget about Bain, because if you do this right, you'll have a consulting job before the 12 month period is up

Good luck!

How to Get a Consulting Internship - Tips and Tricks

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the rejection. In terms of your questions:

1) Can I re-apply and will my application be considered in September 2024 given that it is suggested to wait for 12-18 months in general?

Normally, you can apply again after the ban period. However in your case you have been rejected due to an application deadline. You might want to check if the other offices still have flexibility in terms of that.

2) Should I expect to hear from each office separately, or is communication primarily managed by one specific office?

Normally you just hear back from the office that is considering you.

3) Should I reach out directly to the Istanbul office, or Zurich recruiting office (from which I received the first few e-mails)

Assuming you would like to check if the other offices might consider you, I would contact those offices.

4) Ph.D. holder with 2 year experience in an industry notwithstanding in a different area. I'm contemplating whether to apply for an experienced position. Any advice on this, or would reapplying for an entry-level position be more advisable?

Depending on the country, with your background you should be able to apply for a Senior Associate or Consultant position (Bain roles reference). I would not apply for an Associate role (entry-level). You can check with HR/the person referring you for confirmation.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

On top of other great responses, you can check how the recruiting process works from an internal MBB perspective here:

MBB Hiring Hacks - Behind the Curtain Secrets

Best,

Alberto

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Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs