No decision 2 months since last interview

Question

Last December I have had my final rounds at one of the Bain offices in the SEA region for the Associate Consultant Role. For the first one I did pretty well but was unable to find a hard insight at one of the interviews but the interviewer and I really connected well and they even prolonged the interview time. For the other one it was more of a mixed bag, primarily that I got stuck in the maths part trying to solve what equation/formula do I have to use but we had a good conversation afterwards and they even asked me more questions that's irrelevant to the interview. I have received a phone call two weeks after with my feedback that was generally positive minus the maths part with a strong commendation on the width of my structure. However, I was unable to get a decision on my application as they are still ongoing with the process which is competitive with an update on January.

At the end of January I sent an email to the recruiter stating my interest as well as hoping to get an update on my status but they only replied back that they will get back to me hopefully by mid of February. I also know that they aren't accepting applications because I heard from someone interested in applying in the office saying that they are not able to apply anymore.

Given the situation and the long wait, I have gotten interviews for other firms as well but feeling a bit burned out on all the casing that I have been doing for a year. Furthermore I still feel more aligned towards Bain's cultures and values but have given up on the prospects because I did not do perfectly during the cases and that I am only a fresh graduate compared to the competition who may have more working experience than I do.

Looking forward on the expert's opinions on the matter here as getting that job offer would mean a lot to me.

Answer 1

I am currently interviewing with Bain SEA and would be happy to share my thoughts.

Applications for SEA Offices: Actually, Bain is actively accepting new applications for SEA. They recently announced openings for AC roles on LinkedIn and initiated recruitment campaigns in countries like Indonesia and Singapore, targeting both experienced hires and on-campus recruits. My friend in Vietnam applied last week and is currently in the interview process. Another friend recently completed the final interview at the Manila office.
Decision-Making Process: I agree that Bain's response time can be lengthy. In my experience, I received the test the day after applying and an interview invite shortly after completing the test. I received feedback via a call two days after my first interview (verdict: Passed) but have been waiting for over two weeks without an official email. Despite reaching out to Bain's recruiter for the next interview schedule, I have not yet received a response.

My hypothesis is that Bain is trying to gather more candidates for calibration, as they continue to send out tests and notify new candidates of interview invites (though specific dates are not provided).

Based on what I heard, Bain ACs in SEA last year experienced significant delays in their onboarding dates, so it seems Bain may not expedite their recruitment process.

For your case, I think what you can do is just wait. Meanwhile, apply to other firms, and once you get an offer from any of them, email back to Bain and ask for a decision.

Answer 2

Hello there,

If Bain has not explicitly rejected you, it means you still have a chance. That being said, usually performances such as the one you described do not end with a proposal. I see three possibilities: (1) you may have done better than you interpreted and will get the offer, (2) you’ll receive a very late “no” response, which is unusual, (3) you’ll be called for a third interview (at least at McKinsey, this is the case sometimes).

I totally understand the feeling of being tired of the entire process of studying. It can be indeed exhausting mentally and emotionally. So wait until mid February (we’re almost there) and if the answer is negative, then you evaluate the need to take a short break or to get right back into studying.

I hope you get the Bain offer! 🍀 Keep us posted.

Best,

Mari

Answer 3

Hi,

I really understand the position you are in is unpleasant. I propose to wait till mid February on the outcome. There are still 3 options, of which the first is the most likely. (i) They will request an additional interview and focus on their main points of doubt. I recommend start preparing on you main points of improvement already. (ii) Positive outcome and job offer (iii) Negative outcome. You have the option to apply for other firms or to re-apply after 12 months.

Happy to discuss in more detail via chat.

Mattijs

Answer 4

Hi,

Basically you have a choice to make now

Stop interviewing and put all your eggs in one basket (Bain)
Or continue interview and get more options

On #1, you really don't have control on what Bain does. You will not know the real reason why they haven't gotten back to you. If you are willing to take the risk and a possible delay in timeline (e.g. only start interviewing after a confirmed decision), you can go for this.

#2 makes sense because you can leverage offers to try and accelerate Bain's decision - if there's anything you can do this would be it. But if you are not in your top condition, then you may not perform well.

So which option to go? You have to decide what your risk appetite, timeline and mental state is.

All the best!

Answer 5

Hey!

Waiting for a decision this long can be frustrating, but it’s not necessarily a bad sign—it could simply mean they are finalizing headcount or waiting to compare candidates. Since your feedback was mostly positive, you’re likely still in consideration. Keep following up politely every few weeks, but focus on your other opportunities as well. If Bain is truly your top choice, staying engaged with the recruiter while keeping your options open is the best approach. Also, don’t stress too much about perfect case performance—firms hire based on overall potential, not just one interview moment. Stay positive, and good luck! 😊

Alessa

Answer 6

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on going through the entire application process with Bain!

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

First of all, I would advise you to stay patient but also proactive with Bain. While two months is a long time to wait, as long as you haven't received a rejection email, you are not rejected.
Moreover, I would advise you to continue your other interview processes. Even if Bain is your first choice, having alternatives keeps your options open and reduces the pressure. You don't want to be left without an offer if Bain ultimately doesn't make one.

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

Answer 7

Hi there

Most of Bain SEA had a hiring freeze for a while and it seems that as they are ramping up their hiring again, they are either unsure about the current demand and let people wait for longer in the funnel or they are trying to interview a larger peer group before making the final decisions.

Fingers crossed!

Florian

Answer 8

Hey there,

Good job on being proactive and doing the follow ups. I'd say this:

Don't give up on Bain until you get your feedback
Pursue other opportunities in the mean time

Given that you say you feel a bit burned out on all the casing practice, maybe then take a bit of a break to regain the drive and energy you need to follow other opportunities

All the best