POST Consulting rejections

Hi there,

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

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

• First of all, almost all consulting firms are currently hiring and I also work with interviewees across the globe. Therefore, I would support your hypothesis that your application could most likely have been stronger.
• Moreover, I think taking on a product management role or other managerial roles and reapplying to consulting firms next year sounds like a valid plan. However, please keep in mind that campus recruiting is typically restricted to current students.
• Lastly, consider applying to boutique consulting firms.

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

Hey! It's understandable to feel discouraged given the current job market, especially after putting in a lot of networking effort and not securing interviews. This is a tough time, but it's also an opportunity to recalibrate and strategize for the future.

First, your INSEAD MBA will continue to hold value even after you graduate. While campus recruiting provides a direct channel to opportunities, many MBAs land roles after graduation through off-campus methods. Companies will still recognize the prestige and skills associated with an INSEAD MBA, especially if you build up more relevant experience in the meantime.

Landing a product management or other corporate management role is a strong next step. This experience will strengthen your CV by showcasing your leadership and business acumen in a tangible way. If you continue to refine your transferable skills and better align your CV with the expectations of consulting firms, your chances of securing interviews will improve when you reapply. The market may also be in a better place by then, giving you another opportunity to break into strategy or consulting.

Ultimately, while campus recruiting is a clear advantage during your studies, applying with more experience and a stronger CV post-graduation is still a viable and often successful route. Keep applying to strategy roles as well—every application is a learning experience, and you never know when a door might open.

Good luck! 
Alessa:)

Hi, 

It’s understandable to feel frustrated given the current employment market, but it sounds like you’ve already built a solid foundation through your MBA and networking efforts. Consulting roles are highly competitive, especially during market downturns. Here are a few suggestions for your next steps:

1. Ask for Feedback: It could be really beneficial to reach out to the consulting firms that rejected you and ask for feedback. Rather than sending an email, try calling them directly. This shows a genuine interest in improving for the future and may lead to more useful insights. You could mention that you're eager to learn from their input to better position yourself in your future career.
2. Explore Boutique Consulting Firms: Consider looking at boutique consulting firms as well. They might not have the same global brand recognition, but they often offer significant opportunities for growth, hands-on experience, and personal development. Working at a smaller firm can be a great stepping stone and may position you well for transitioning to larger firms later in your career.
3. Strategy Roles Without Consulting Background: Don’t rule out the possibility of landing a strategy role without a formal consulting background. While competition is tough, many companies look for diverse experiences. In your applications, use your cover letter and CV to emphasize unique strengths or experiences that set you apart - whether it's leadership, innovation, or problem-solving. You might stand out by showcasing skills or experiences that others don’t have. Often, the interview itself plays a huge role, and this is where you can highlight these strengths and demonstrate why you’re the right fit for the role.
4. Network Continuously: Keep in touch with the connections you've built and continue networking even outside the formal recruiting cycles, this will help you in the long run.
5. Reapply in a Year: If consulting remains your long-term goal, reapplying after a year with enhanced experience can definitely improve your chances. Your INSEAD MBA will still hold weight after graduation, especially if you've added valuable post-MBA experience. 

Stay proactive and persistent - there’s definitely a path forward for you!

All the best and if you need any further support, don't hesitate to reach out,

Kairavee

Hi there,

I totally understand and empathize with your frustrations! It's definitely a difficult market at the moment, but you never know what can happen. Opportunities often work out when you least expect them to!

Your INSEAD MBA, along with everything else you've seen and done in your life, are always going to be assets. In the end, it's all about the story that you're able to tell employers about yourself — through your resume and cover letter. 

Keep in mind that you are more than your education or your past jobs. Each candidate brings their own unique lived experiences. As a student with limited work experience, you should certainly leverage those lived experiences more. What have you learnt from the different places you've lived in, or the different situations you've found yourself in, or the different people you've met or worked with across your life so far? How have those life experiences made you a better person for the job you're applying for? If you can construct a strong story out of these elements, you can always stand apart from your competition.

Feel free to reach out via DM for more — I'll be happy to help you craft a strong CV or cover letter for the jobs you're looking for. I've had a lot of experience helping young candidates leverage their life experiences to market themselves to potential employers, and I'll be happy to see what I can do for you.

Good luck!

Hi there,

Very sorry to hear!

Unfortunately, this is the norm for many great applicants this year. INSEAD alone was usually almost a guarantee for interview invitations in the past...

To answer your questions:

• Go for the roles that you mentioned. I think getting the foot in the door somewhere okay to bridge the time should be THE priority. The job market across all sectors is really bad at the moment. 

• Getting into a strategy role at your level is not necessary. The MBBs are often looking for specialized expertise on certain topics as client demands are becoming more granular as well.

• Once you have that job, you can start your consulting recruiting from a position of strength next year.

• The general consensus from MBB consultants and recruiting managers I talk to is that 2025 should be a much better year for recruiting.

• Your MBA will still carry the same weight next year as it does today.

All the best,

Florian