Interviewed By: Arka
Hello, I’m Arka, a secretary at Communiqué, and today we have Ms. Devaki Nandana Vardhineedi, who recently got placed at Boston Consulting Group(BCG). Hello Devaki, Good Afternoon; how are you doing today?
Hello, Arka! I am fine, and you?
I am fine as well. Firstly, the heartiest congratulations to you for getting placed at BCG, one of the topmost management consulting firms in the world. So, basically, in this short interview, I’ll ask you a few questions for our consult-oriented blog series. The blog will be shared with the KGP community to guide them about the selection procedure through your experience. So, if you are ready, can we start?
Yeah, thank you very much, Arka. Let’s begin.
So here goes the first question. What was the general selection process for the companies you interviewed? Please mention the number of rounds and the nature of the selection process.
I gave my interview at the Boston Consulting Group(BCG). BCG has conducted their hiring process off-campus this year. Here are the steps involved:
Step-1: CV submission: You only have a short window to submit your CV, so ensure you have it ready. I started working on my CV immediately after my summer internship, and I even had it verified by some seniors working at various consultancy firms.
Step-2: CV shortlisting: You get the CV shortlists two days after the submission deadline. BCG's CV shortlisting process takes into account a variety of factors, including academic and extracurricular achievements. Certain standout experiences, such as exemplary leadership positions, sports achievements, social and cultural involvement, technological and entrepreneurial endeavors, internships, and projects, can help you stand out from other applicants.
Step-3: Buddy process: BCG assigns a couple of their employees as buddies to help you prepare for the interview. Buddies help you understand the interview process, prepare for the cases, and practice. Both of my buddies were from KGP so with most of the other short-listed candidates. The buddy rounds were non-evaluative and were a way to help you understand the firm and prepare well for the interview.
Step-4: The D–day(The interview day): I had three evaluative interviews on the final day. It started with the project leader, then the principal, and finally, the partner. You could only move on to the next interview if you passed the previous one.
Could you list down questions you were asked in the different rounds? Puzzles, technical questions, or any other discussion in general that you think will be helpful for students.
Sure, I will discuss them step by step.
Buddy rounds: In your first interaction with your buddy, you need to introduce yourself. In the buddy rounds, you will typically be asked to solve either guesstimates or cases.
Project lead/ Principal/ Partner rounds: Each interview begins with you introducing yourself. Your interviewer may or may not ask you questions based on your CV, depending on their preference. There are no specific HR rounds, and I was not asked any HR questions during my interviews. I was asked to solve guesstimates, profitability, market-entry, and unconventional cases. You may also be asked to solve cases requiring multiple frameworks, such as a mix of market entry and pricing, etc. Interviewers look for your problem-solving, mathematical, and communication skills.
That was insightful. Now, what are some of the FAQs in most companies that you face and think students must definitely prepare for? More specifically, in the context of HR rounds.
During HR rounds, you should be confident in your introduction and be able to explain your CV without hesitation. You should also be prepared to answer the following questions in a general sense:
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Why are you interested in this profile?
Why are you interested in this company?
Thanks for the answer. Coming to the next question: How did your preparation for technical rounds evolve once you were shortlisted?
Since BCG does not have any technical rounds, I will define my preparation strategy after I am shortlisted.
I used to practice cases on a daily basis, with my batchmates and seniors who made it to consulting firms. I also practiced guesstimates whenever I had short periods of free time between classes or other activities. I tracked my progress in an Excel sheet and analyzed where I performed well and where I needed more preparation. A case that is not synthesized is useless, so I made sure to update my progress tracker and synthesize the case on the same day before moving on to the next thing on my schedule. Instead of doing a lot of cases, it is better to do quality cases with skilled people who can give you proper feedback. Consistency is key to excellence in case preparation.
Alright, so moving ahead, this is for the students who will be sitting for the placements in the upcoming placement season. What are things students sitting for placements next year can do from now until December to maximize their chances of getting through a company in this sector?
Your CV is your ticket to the interview stage. Take the time to craft a compelling document that highlights your unique strengths and capabilities. Make sure that your CV highlights the impact you created and the consistency you showcased. Chronology is not essential, but you should highlight your key achievements to leave no stone unturned to get a shortlist.
You can prepare for guesstimates and case interviews in a month. However, what will make you stand out is your industry knowledge. Stay up-to-date on financial news through blogs and podcasts. You should also practice your math skills and be confident in solving problems quickly.
Be versed in your CV and HR prep to face any interviewer. Focus on your communication skills and how you present yourself positively. Mock interviews and practicing cases with seniors will help you feel comfortable and confident during your interviews.
Okay, so anything else that you’d want to share with the students?
If you are unsure which profile to choose, explore different profiles and opportunities before deciding on your career path. Doing projects or internships in a specific field will help you better understand that field. Regardless of your profile, be consistent with your preparation and set daily or weekly goals for yourself. Track your progress and improve your efficiency every day. Feel free to reach out to any seniors to learn more about the profile and see if it is a good fit for your interests.
Good luck with your preparation! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions. With this, the interview comes to an end. Alright, Devaki, it was great talking to you and knowing your experiences and insights.
Thank You. It was a pleasure being interviewed.