Comments on: Welcome All Future Management Consultants – Favorite Posts, Link Roundup, and Reader Questions

By: justaconsultingreject

justaconsultingreject — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:41:54 +0000

I applied for a McKinsey & Company summer associate position. They turned me down, with the line “Unfortunately, we do not have a position available that would best match your experience and training with our needs. Should the situation change, we will contact you.”

I have two questions 1) does anyone ever get contacted later on when their “needs change?” (or is just being polite?) 2) what does this mean for apply to consulting companies–especially McKinsey–in the future. Does anyone ever get hired for a full-time position without getting a summer associate position? What typically needs to change in the credentials for that to happen??

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:28:20 +0000

J, thanks for your comment. As for Bain’s practice cases, they can seem very challenging (similar to McKinsey, BCG, etc). What you really need to worry about is that you have the right approach to each question (think frameworks, think structure, think asking the right questions) and the right attitude when attempting to solve the case. Try not to worry too much about the actual content of each case, because there is simply too much variation out there to be able to prepare for each “type” of case. Hope that helps, feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

By: J

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:07:01 +0000

Kevin,

I bought the Consulting Bible and thoroughly enjoy it. Good work! Worth every single penny I have spent.

Quick question: I am an undergraduate, looking at Bain’s practice case 1 and they seem very foreign to me even though I can handle Cosentino’s CIP with relatively ease. Is this a sign of big trouble?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:25:24 +0000

1. It varies by project and office. Expect 60-65 with fluctuation up to 80 for short periods.

2. That’s a good approach.

3. Email them midway through to update them on your thoughts, and also as the internship is wrapping up to “begin the process” if you’re still interested in a potential transfer

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:23:50 +0000

Jason, I would focus on the quality of the institution. If you can get into an Ivy League school, access to their on-campus recruiting can make all the difference. Beyond that, I have no specific recs re: non-MBA grad programs. Good luck!