Interviews with BCG Platinion - Need guidance

I think you are starting with a belief that might be disempowering - ‘I believe HR are playing their usual games here in terms of pushing me down the levels.’

HR has no vested interested in giving you a more junior role. For a firm this big, it's not like they are trying to save by giving you a lower compensation. 

They see your profile as attractive but they do not believe you would perform well at AD level. 

I know this might be a bit painful to accept. 

I've seen it play out multiple times. 

I've seen a CTO recruiter by McKinsey and taken in at Associate level (then fast-tracked to Partner in 5 years). 

Consulting firms do this whenever they are concerned about whether the candidate will actually be able to ‘survive’ once inside. They do this based on their experience of having seen people go in at a senior role, burn out, and leave within a year because they couldn't adjust to the working culture. 

My honest advice is to go with their recommendation. 

And if you still want to push for the more senior role, get some support in terms of how you present your argument to them (and external support in the beginning to ease your way into the firm). 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Q: What are your thoughts and guidance on how to play this game further? Many thanks….

I believe the only possible (but not probable) way you might have to negotiate the original position is if you do exceptionally well in the other interviews and get an offer from a direct competitor for the equivalent position to leverage. However, it would be very difficult to have them reconsider the proposal even in that case.

In the meantime, I would ask for feedback on the reasons for the downgrade. 

After you get an offer, you could also negotiate (again if possible leveraging an offer from a competitor) a fast-track to the position. You might be able to join the original position after 6-12 months in the lower role, which should not be a big issue.

Overall, I would recommend the following: 

• Ask for feedback on why you should be considered for a manager position instead of the initially proposed AD
• If you would reject the position if they only propose a manager one, clarify it upfront that you would not be interested in the position if it is not for an AD role. This will save time for both parties, as it is unlikely they will offer anything else after the offer
• If you would accept the position if they propose the manager one, continue the process and negotiate a fast-track promotion to AD after receiving the offer

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Hi there,

Ultimately, during these interviews you did not demonstrate that you would do well at the higher level.

At the end of the day, the interviews aren't just about IF you get in, but at what role.

Ideally, with stronger case prep, you could have done better on your case + fit portion and shown them you're worthy of the AD level.

However, we are where we are now.

They're not going to budge. You can try to negotiate on M2 (2nd year), or on compensation, but you're not going to get that higher title.

Feel free to reach out for help with negotiations…there is a LOT of room for movement here (probably tens of thousands of $) if you play it right.