I was rejected for BCG Summer internship and now in full time recruiting. Will I ever be able to try again or am I just not fit for the firm?

Hi,

While on BCG's recruiting team, candidates asked me this question several times. The short answer is: apply again (after the ban period), but prepare more and show you've progressed significantly.

There are several options as to how your application will be treated internally:

1. You didn't pass the online case: if this is your case, if you reapply and pass this difficult stage, there will be virtually no difference in how interviewers will look at you compared to a first-time applicant.
2. You didn't pass one of the interview rounds: In this case, it can happen (varies by office) that interviewers will know in which areas you struggled the most the last time you tried. However, this won't have any negative effect on your performance, but it's best if you show them you improved a lot in those areas vs. the first time, especially if you are now applying for a full-time position instead of an internship (for a full-time position interviewers are slightly more demanding with candidates). If you got feedback at the time, make sure you leverage it as much as you can.

Additionally:

• Work on adding new relevant experiences to your Resumé
• Network with people who work at the company and ideally get a referral
• Apply to other companies. In the end, BCG is not the only great consulting firm out there (also, remember you can start your career at a Tier 2 and later transfer to an MBB, leveraging having a lot more relevant experience)

Hope this helps!

Tiago

Hi there!

I’m really sorry to hear about the rejection offer from the internship. It can be really confusing and frustrating so I hear you.

You should absolutely try again! Some firms may allow you to reapply after 6 months and I would strongly suggest if your goal is to go into MBB to plan ahead for the upcoming cycles you’d be eligible for (usually after 6-12 months for full time roles). I think if you practice way ahead you can definitely make it to the full time job 😊 

Sometimes recruiters overlook internship rejections as they are for for summers for students and thus handled separately from full-time roles— so you can usually apply again!

Sorry to hear about your rejection. Remember that rejections do not determine your overall fit or potential. Many successful consultants faced rejections before eventually landing their roles. Use this time to reflect on areas for improvement and continue building your skills and experiences.

Regarding reapplication, each firm has specific policies on how long you need to wait before reapplying. Typically, you can reapply after 12 months, but it's always best to check directly with the firm to confirm their current policy.

You now have the opportunity to strengthen your profile and application for your next attempt. When preparing to apply to consulting firms, make sure you:

1. Practice cases: Invest time in practicing case interviews to develop strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
2. Polish your CV and cover letter: Ensure your CV and cover letter are tailored to highlight your most relevant experiences and achievements.
3. Understand the target firm: Gain a good understanding of the firm’s values, culture, and the specific requirements of the role you're applying for.
4. Increase relevant experience: Look for opportunities to gain experience in areas relevant to consulting, such as internships, projects, or roles that enhance your analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

It's wise to start preparing well in advance to present the best version of yourself to potential employers. 

Additionally, it can be highly beneficial to leverage your network. Try to connect with someone currently working at BCG and other firms to learn about their experience and potentially secure a referral.

Cheers, Sidi

_______________________

Dr. Sidi Koné 

Former Senior Engagement Manager & Interviewer at McKinsey | Former Senior Consultant at BCG | Co-Founder of The MBB Offer Machine™

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about the rejections from BCG!

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

• First of all, a rejection does not preclude you from future opportunities at the firm. Many candidates face setbacks in the highly competitive landscape of consulting and succeed later.
• Moreover, I would highly advise you to consider reaching out to an experienced coach to get feedback on your application files. Even though things are not going so well in the consulting industry (as in all other industries) at the moment, I am constantly helping my coachees to get invitations and ultimately offers - so there could be something to your application.

You can find more on this topic here: How to deal with a rejection from a consulting company.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Q: I was rejected for BCG Summer internship and now in full time recruiting. Will I ever be able to try again or am I just not fit for the firm? 

Yes, you can apply again for a full-time position; just ensure that, in case you have a ban period, you apply after it.

Good luck!

Francesco

Sorry to hear about the rejection.

A rejection just means that currently they do not think you are a good fit for the role. There are many reasons that may be the case including the fact that with a slowing economy/demand they may not have work for more than a small number of new hires. 

You will definitely be able to apply again and can also get a job if you are the right fit. Things you can do to improve your chances from now

• Work your way towards getting into a top 8 MBA program in the US
• Work at a top firm and gain specialized knowledge/skills that are not very common or for which there is very high demand in the industry
• Work at a T2 consulting firm to gain core consulting skills

All the best,
Udayan

Hi there,

Sorry to hear!

Yes, you can try again. What you need is two things:

1. Significant improvements on your resume across several areas).

• Professional experience
• Education
• Leadership
• Time spent abroad

2. Strong referrals, ideally from partners.

On top of that, you need to work on the areas that led to the rejection (could be resume from above, or the recruiting test, case/fit interviews).

Also, don't forget to apply to other firms. BCG is just one of many…

All the best for your future,

Florian

I met Partners in McKinsey who only got in on their third attempt. 

Yes, you can definitely do it. 

You just need better preparation. 

And the advantage that you have now compared to other candidates is knowing how the interview goes + an idea of what are your development gaps (based on the feedback they gave you). 

You now need to work on those, have a better application strategy and apply again. 

Best,
Cristian

Yes, you can try again, and you may wind up being asked to interview again.

However, can't answer on the “not fit for the firm”. That would require knowing well your profile (and interviewing you, if you were interviewed by them).