MBB applicant for ADC (Greater China) looking for insights

Question

Hello,

I'm an advanced degree candidate that was selected to interview with MBB for the greater China region. My 1st round interviews seem to be split up, I completed my first interview this past weekend and have a second interview scheduled for later this week. The first interview was completely in mandarin which was very difficult for me even though I am conversationally fluent in mandarin.

For the first interview, I had a good conversation with the interviewer and reached the correct numerical conclusion in the case, but did require quite a bit of guidance and made an incorrect final recommendation which the interviewer said was a fair conclusion given my rationale and lack of knowledge of reasonable timelines in the particular industry. He also acknowledged that the language barrier made things really difficult for me. At the end I was very candid in asking him for feedback, and felt that the interviewer and I had a mutual understanding that it was not a passing performance.

Is it a given to get two first round interviews even if they had time to evaluate my first interview performance before extending the second?

Does anyone have insights on consulting in greater China (not counting the Hong Kong office) and whether I would even be able to do the job if I struggled with the mandarin in the case interview?

The recruiter asked me whether I would require a work visa in China (I would) when reaching out to schedule my second interview. Does anyone have knowledge on the likelihood of successfully getting a working visa for China as a US citizen applicant?

I realize that the first question seems kinda self explanatory, but just looking for some general insights on the process. I'm a career academic scientist and this is my first time interviewing with any consulting firm. I somehow passed the online assessment last week and was then given a 2 day notice for my first round. Overall I am trying to have no expectations and just enjoy these new experiences.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

To answer your questions:

(1) Is it a given to get two first round interviews even if they had time to evaluate my first interview performance before extending the second?

Yes, it is common that you would do both interviews in a round before getting an answer.

(2) Does anyone have insights on consulting in greater China (not counting the Hong Kong office) and whether I would even be able to do the job if I struggled with the mandarin in the case interview?

From what I heard / seen it seems very difficult. Potential exception would be if you have senior experience in a highly-desired field, but even then. Note: my source of info are consulting friends based in Hong Kong, that often work with teams in China + own experience working with Chinese consulting teams, so please take it as anecdotal.

(3) Does anyone have knowledge on the likelihood of successfully getting a working visa for China as a US citizen applicant?

Here I have no knowledge unfortunately, sorry for that.

Overall, if after this experience you stay with the conclusion that consulting is a career you are really interested in, I think it is worth exploring how you can make it work - either in China or maybe in the US? For Mandarin, to me it sounds like were not prepared to talk about cases / business topics; but if you are otherwise fluent this is something that can be improved.

Hope this helps,

Ariadna

Answer 2

Hi there,

Sounds like a difficult experience.

Is it a given to get two first round interviews even if they had time to evaluate my first interview performance before extending the second?

Yes, you would get this chance usually no matter what.

Does anyone have insights on consulting in greater China (not counting the Hong Kong office) and whether I would even be able to do the job if I struggled with the mandarin in the case interview?

I believe it would be very difficult. The job is hard enough, you don’t want any other added complexity or struggle to deal with.

The recruiter asked me whether I would require a work visa in China (I would) when reaching out to schedule my second interview. Does anyone have knowledge on the likelihood of successfully getting a working visa for China as a US citizen applicant?

Unfortunately not, but overall I believe the supply of local candidates is very large compared to the size of McK in China. Hence, this could be another barrier to hiring. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. ☹

Overall I am trying to have no expectations and just enjoy these new experience.

That’s a great perspective.

However, if they pushed you to the interviewer, I would have asked for an extension. No need to rush through the interview process here which usually takes a good month to prepare for at least if you have never done it!

Fingers crossed!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

As someone who has studied in China I can attest you will get a working visa. Since you're fluent you'll be able to pick up business chinese with dedicated lessons (I'm also fluent in Mandarin but I struggle with technical terms - it's normal especially if it's a second language)