Is first-round feedback considered at all in the second-round decision?

Hey,

Is it completely ignored for the round-2 decision?

The first round feedback can hardly influence the second round decision, but can influence its emphasis.

For instance, if after the first round a candidate gets feedback that he/she needs to improve mental math or structuring, those aspects will be specifically tested during the second round.

Good luck!
Nick

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:

• First of all, feedback from the first round is not completely ignored in most consulting firms. Your performance in the first round is an indicator of your capabilities and potential to fit into the firm.
• Moreover, while the final decision will largely be based on your performance in the second round, having strong feedback from the first round can be advantageous, especially in borderline cases.
• Lastly, I would advise you to continue preparing for the second round without dwelling much on the feedback. Each interview is a new opportunity, and it's essential to give your best regardless of previous feedback.

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

All rounds are considered in the ultima hiring decision. Warm regards, Frederic 

They take it into account. 

First of all, with most firms, second round interviewers get an understanding of your performance in the first round and they check whether you've improved on the feedback you were provided with after the first round. 

Second of all, after the final round, when the hiring decision is made, in borderline cases they get all the interviewers together (first and second round) to decide whether to give you an offer. Once again, here the feedback from the first round counts.

Best,
Cristian

———————————————

Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

All interviews are always taken into account. 

Of course performance going up between round tends to be better than performance going down as you go to the next round.

Hi there,

If we say yes, do you study/prepare more?

If we say no, do you study/prepare more?

Therefore, you'd rather spend your time/energy thinking about this that focused on doing well in the interview, period?

Focus on that which you can control :)

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case
 

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/dos-and-donts-in-a-case-interview
 

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/candidate-led-cases-what-to-expect-and-example-cases

P.S. second-round is its own process/round, but they do take the 1st into account. If you didn't perform well in a specific area, they will want to assess this more, but, in terms of passing, make sure you perform as well as you can in the second round…your 1st round will not save you.

Hi there,

I assume you are talking about an MBB firm. If so, yes, all first and second round recruiters gather together to take the final hiring decision. They will look for consensus and anyone has voice to veto your progress to next round.

You can check how the recruiting process works from an internal MBB perspective here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/mbb-hiring-hacks-behind-the-curtain-secrets

Best,

Alberto

—

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

Hi there,

Yes, as other were anticipating, first-round feedback is considered in the second-round, especially to test you on the specific errors that you did during your interviews. I know that you said that you have pretty good feedback, but I would honestly suggest you to focus instead on what you did wrong (for sure there is something) and to work on improving those things. 

Additionally, I would suggest you not to get your hopes up, because it can result in you underestimating the necessity to improve your preparation for the second-round interviews. 

So focus instead on doing everything you can to be at your best during this final round. You can absolutely do it if you focus your energies in the right direction!

Super good luck,
Francesca

Hi,

Sharing my perspective having been an interviewer at BCG

• Your second round performance is graded based on your second round performance and not your first round performance
• At BCG, second round involves 2 interviews, and you must score highly on both of them

Many people pass the first round, but end up bombing the second round. 

Hi there,

Here's how it works:

1. R1 performance obviously informs decision to move (or not move) to R2
2. After R2, a final decision is being made by looking at performance across R1 & R2

How exactly this works depends on firm and office. However, conceptually speaking, no firm will arbitrarily dissmiss valuable data points. Why would they?

Hope this helps a bit!

Best,
Moritz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Need a senior McKinsey coach? See my profile in a nutshell
>> Need real McKinsey cases? See two real examples with Zero Carbon Mine (hard) & Car Convenience (Intermediate + brand new)

While the feedback from the first round is valuable and can provide insights into your performance, it is important to note that the decision for round two is not solely based on the feedback from the first round. The evaluation process for round two involves a holistic assessment of your overall fit for the role and the firm.

During round two, interviewers will evaluate your performance based on a variety of factors, including your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, leadership potential, and cultural fit within the firm. They will assess how well you demonstrate the core competencies and qualities that the firm values.

While positive feedback from the first round can be encouraging, it is important to continue performing at a high level and showcase your skills and capabilities in the subsequent interviews. Each round is an opportunity to further demonstrate your potential and fit for the role.

It is also worth noting that the decision-making process for round two involves a comparison of candidates and the firm's overall hiring needs. The final decision may take into account a combination of factors, including the performance of other candidates, the specific requirements of the role, and the firm's overall recruitment strategy.

In summary, while positive feedback from the first round is a good sign, it is not the sole determinant for the round two decision. It is important to continue performing at your best and showcase your skills and fit throughout the entire interview process.