Delaying interviews after Bridge to BCG

Question

Hello, I am an international postdoc and was invited to Bridge to BCG.

I want to interview and give consulting a chance. However, since it's in a US office, I would like to interview once my US visa situation is settled, which will take several months. (I need to finish my current J1 appointment in 3 months and then change to my husband's visa, which will give me the right to work in the US, with BCG or another employer, and that will take another 2 months). Importantly, my husband's employer will not allow me to sponsor him through a job at BCG or elsewhere, he must be the one to sponsor me because he will be on a particular type of visa that trumps all other visas.

I was wondering whether anyone had experience with delaying the interview after Bridge to BCG, or if it's mandatory to take it immediately after completing the program.

Answer 1

Hi there,

thanks for sharing this with us.

When it comes to interview scheduling, BCG is typically quite flexible and understanding. Having said that, suggest you reach out to the resp. recruiter and explain the situation. Would be very surprised if they don't accommodate. I have seen quite a few candidates interview only way post completion, and it never seemed to have been an issue.

Generally speaking, when you get invited to a program / event like Bridge to BCG, it means the company sees in you a strong profile and the potential to join the firm at a later stage. With that in mind, HR is even incentivized to make the scheduling for you, as it makes no sense for them to invest in grooming talent but then not getting them through the pipeline. Hence, wouldn't worry too much about the timing.

Hope this helps. Wish you all the best!

Regards, Andi

Answer 2

Hi there,

Ultimately, you need to have a conversation with BCG. Your situation sounds extremely complex and carries risk/assumptions. Ask BCG directly what they advise.

Answer 3

Are you looking to be on an H4 EAD? or L2?

You can explain to BCG your visa situation and they will guide you and will also help you with all the filings if needed.

Answer 4

From personal experience, you have 2 options. Talk to the recruiters about either interviewing in a year or so or interview now and extend your start date to a year or so later. If you're ready to interview now, get the offer and then work with the recruiters to finalize the start date. Since you're doing Bridge to BCG, you're probably completing a PhD/MD program and they typically have extended start dates anyway (since you have to finish your thesis and graduate). They're also very well versed with visa issues, and have an internal team and an outside law firm dedicated to helping you figuring out the best solution.

You're unlikely to get interviews several months later based on a current application, unless you apply again and are invited to interview at that time. Your best bet would be to interview now (if you're already accepted to Bridge to BCG and are ready to interview for a full time role), and then work with recruiting to figure out start dates. PM me if you'd like to discuss more, I recently went through a similar process. Good luck!

Answer 5

Hello!

The visa nightmare in the US, I can totally relate to that.

However, I would go ahead as soon as you are ready, since the process takes weeks. Furthermore, you can fix all of that with an offer in hand, later on.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara