Boston(BCG) Selection Procedure

Boston(BCG) Selection Procedure


Short Listing of Resume
Q. Does company have its own form or uses standard placement form?
A. Standard placement form is used by company for shortlisting.

Q. Does company apply the shortlist to the resumes submitted?
A. No, there is no shortlist.

Q. Is the shortlist qualifying in nature or eliminatory (merit based)?
A. Shortlist is eliminatory in nature.

Q. What is normally the ratio of shortlist.
A. Generally ratio is 1:5.

Q. Is there advantage for work ex guys?
A. No there is no particular advantage for people with work ex.

Q. Is there a leaning towards particular background of students in the shortlist?
A. No.

Q. Does grad matter in the shortlist?
A. Yes, definetly.

Q. What role does extra-curricular activities plays in the shortlist process?
A. A lot. Of course they are secondary to acdemics, but nevertheless they are important.

Q. What qualities should the candidate highlight in his/her resume?
A. Strong academics should be highlighted. Extra-curricular activities should be there to present you as an all round personality. It should highlight your leadership abilities, participation in college activities and present you as an guy with a well developed personality.

Q. What is the biggest mistake a candidate can make in his/her resume?
A. Mistake would presenting your self as too arrogant or loudspoken about your achievements. You should avoid selling yourself strongly. Be moderate in your presentaion.

Written Test

Q. Does company conduct any written test?
A. No, there is no written test in the recruitment process.

Group Discussions

Q. Does company conduct GDs?
A. No, selection process of BCG does not comprise any GD.

Case Studies

Q. Does company conduct case studies?
A. Yes, case studies are conducted(can also be classified as preliminary Interview). There are two rounds of case studies or preliminary interviews, whatever you call it.

Q. Is this step qualifying or eliminatory?
A. This step is eliminatory in nature. Generally 1:3 or 1:4 is the ratio.

Q. How is it conducted (in groups or individually)?
A. The case studies are conducted individually.

Q. What is duration of each case study?
A. The duration os a case stuty is around 30-45 minutes.

Q. Is the case study an interactive process or is it non-interactive (written) with the panelists
A. It is an interactive process with the panelist. Candidates might be given hints. In case they require further data/information or hints, they can approach the panel.

Q. What type of cases are normally given?
A. Subject of the cases depends. It can be of any type. But generally the topic is related to the corporate situation on any subject, ranging from marketing to operations to strategy.

Q. Is the candidate supplied all the data in the beginning or can he ask for more data during the process?
A. Candidate is given some data at the begining. In case candidate feels that further information is required for more progress in the case , he/she can approach the panel since it is an interactive process. It is more of an open ended process.

Q. What do you think the company trying to assess in the case study?
A. Company is trying to access candidates on analytical skills and quantitative ability. They are also observing the persistence, logical thinking, business judgement and the communication skills.

Q. How can a candidate prepare himself for the case studies?
A. Candidate can prepare for this in two ways.
One way is individual preparation. He/she can prepare from the cases. A lot of good, similar cases available on the net, which can be accessed and used for preparation. Also read "Snapshots from Hell" for a Mckinsey case given there(just joking!".
Another way is to prepare the cases in group alongwith your friends to replicate the situation, and evolve the structure.
Ideally a combination of both should be used and practise at least 10-15 cases to hone your skills.

Q. Does company repeat the case studies?
A. Sometimes, they might be repeated. But by then your position would be clear.

Q. What is the biggest mistake a candidate can make during case study?
A. Never give up a case in the middle. Keep prodding on & on, even if end is nowhere in sight. Don't be aggressive. Do not ignore the opinions of the others. Also do not ask for unnecessary/unrelated information or too much information. Do not move in fits. Think logically and follow the process. Remember there should be method in madness.

Group situation

Q Does company conduct group situations (apart from GD)?
A. No, the group situations are not a part of selection process of BCG.

Preliminary Interview

Q. Does company conducts preliminary interviews?
A. Case studies can be classified as preliminary interview. There are generally 4 Interviews - 2 preliminary Inetviews(or rather case studies) and 2 final interviews. In Year 2000 placements at IIMB. BCG conducted 8 rounds of Case Studies and final Interviews.

Final Interview

Q. What is the duration of interview /number of panelists?
A. The Final Interview lasts for around 45 minutes and there are mostly one, rarely two Interview panelist.

Q. How does the interview start?
A. There is no particular fixed pattern to set the ball rolling. As ususal there will be warming up session before moving on to specifics.

Q. What types of questions are asked in the interview?
A. There is generally a short case study of 15-20 minutes. This is also an interactive case study.
Then there is an interactive session, which deals with personal questions. Questions like "what were the challenges you faced in your life at different moments?, How you dealt with those? In hindsight, do you feel that was the right approach?". "Why consulting?" might be there. (We would advise you to visit & see Cool Avenues Career Resource Centre and go through Interview FAQs, General Questions, and Tough Interview Questions on 10 subjects. It is a most comprehensive set of Interview questions you can be asked on earth. "If you are asked any question outside these, send to us and win a prize!")

Q. Does company create situations akin to 'stress interview'?
A. No, Interview is held in a very cordial atmosphere.

Q. Is company trying to test the candidate's integrity?
A. Yes, but in the sense that you would be asked to elaborate on the projects where you contributed substantially, so as to get a feel of what you had actually done, how it was done.

Q. What do you think the company trying to assess in the candidate during the interview?
A. Company tries to assess a candidate on analytical ability and logical thinking besides persistence. Basically personal fit is what you are being assessed for.

Q. What type of environment is there during the interview?
A. Interview is held in a relaxed atmosphere.

Q. What type of dress code is suitable for the company?
A. A formal dress code is most suitable.

Q. How does the interview end?
A. Candidate are given freedom to ask any question/querries they have. It might be general question or any query about BCG.

Q. Are interview questions repeated by the company?
A. Sometimes, but don't wait for that to happen as your selection would have been over by then.

Q. How can a candidate better prepare himself for the interview?
A. Prepare a lot about the personal questions. Prepare about how would you react in different situations. Practise with friends about the possible situations.

Q. Does company make spot offer during the interview?
A. No

Q. What is the biggest mistake a candidate can make during the interview?
A. Avoid giving impression of being arrogant. Don't appear over confident or too much informal.