I understand that to perform better, I need to not care. But how do people manage to think like this? Especially since I only have one more MBB interview and it's all I have from the entire recruiting cycle.
Help to change my mentality please.
I understand that to perform better, I need to not care. But how do people manage to think like this? Especially since I only have one more MBB interview and it's all I have from the entire recruiting cycle.
Help to change my mentality please.
Hi there,
There is a lot to unpack here, mainly related to your mindset.
Each of the MBBs is just some company among many great firms to work for and start your career with. Life goes on if it does not work out now.
Putting so much pressure on yourself ("this is the only MBB left") probably shows that you place too much importance on getting this particular job.
I can tell you from coaching a few hundred people and having connected with most of them on a mentorship and deeper level that the single biggest risk factor for strong candidates NOT getting an offer is based on how they perceive the potential MBB offer.
They see it as the only viable option.
The more they obsess over securing that one offer, the more they neglect the broader perspective and fail to consider excellent alternatives, leading to potential failure when they force it. Interestingly, those who primarily think this way often have the best case skills but haven't fully developed the right mindset, causing their issues with stress and overwhelm during the interview.
Additionally, their perfectionist personalities clash with the case interview environment, where not every interview needs to be flawless; it's about demonstrating the right profile. Their high expectations and aversion to failure only amplify the pressure they feel.
There is no need to add unnecessary pressure on top of an already stressful and challenging situation. You are putting yourself at a disadvantage for no good reason.
Yet, there is a whole universe of other great opportunities out there and you might never know what benefits will come with a different situation than desired.
Perspective:
The offer rate for MBB is around 1%, currently less due to a market slowdown. Even getting to the interviews is a huge feat.
You probably have what it takes but a big mindset shift is needed that will help you perform during the interviews while at the same time also making you more resilient to setbacks in general (which improves life quality by a lot - the only thing you should think about on a grander scale).
What can you do now:
All the best,
Florian
Florian is 100% right
In short - the stress comes because you think that this job is so important and can be life changing but without it everything will be worse. That is a fallacy, MBB has many good things but many people really dislike their time there and wish they had done something else instead. It has its own unique challenges and they are not afraid to do mass layoffs if things go even slightly wrong and partners bonuses are affected.
In short - do not glamorize the role. It is a great opportunity but it is one of many great opportunities. If it does not work, believe in yourself that something else that is better for you will work. The only requirement though is that you put 100% in preparing for the interview. Once you do that, the results are outside your control anyway.
All the best,
Udayan
Hi there,
First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process thus far!
I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:
You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.
If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Best,
Hagen
Caring and being invested will be crucial to your success in the interview and on the job. With that said, nerves cost me the offer my first time around — I’ve been there!
Three tactical suggestions for you:
I get where you’re coming from—it’s natural to feel high stakes with limited opportunities. Here are some ways to help you approach the interview with a calm, focused mindset:
Remember, every interview is just one step on a larger journey. Trust in your abilities and let the process unfold.
Thanks
Ashwin