I keep following the same pattern (4 times so far).1) Submit CV + cover letter to Big Name MC firm2) Invited to 1st round. Success. Feedback "Minor points of improvement X, Y, Z, but basically keep doing what you're doing".3) Go to 2nd round, have what I think are good interviews / role-plays etc.4) Get told I won't be offered a job. Various reasons given, but no discernible pattern in the feedback.Is it likely I just don't make the grade? Strong enough to get through to the final round every time, but never strong enough to get the job? Or is it more likely that there's something specific I need to work on - like adjusting my communication style to suit partner-level interviewers?Has anyone else had this problem? I almost feel like I'm being deliberately teased by failing at the final hurdle each time. I've still got 2/4 of the MBBB final rounds to come, and I'd really like to have at least one offer at the end of the day!Background: Oxbridge, 3 years experience on graduate programme in industry, 23 years old. Prepared for applications mainly by reading reading 4 different MC books from the 'Vault'.

Welcome to the real world.Not the pampered, spoon-fed, nothing-is-to-good-for-my-tarquin, upper middle class, life of privilege.Maybe the truth is that there are a lot of other people who are simply better.I don't mean to insult, merely to push to lower your expectation levels.

On-topic: I know there are better candidates out there - it's a very competitive market. But I'd like to get into MC, and I'd appreciate any constructive advice on going about it.Off-topic: For the record, Your description doesn't match up to my life. Based on prejudice I've encountered in the past, I presume it's based on me using the word "Oxbridge", even though a majority of us actually went to state schools. I didn't grow up in an African slum, but I'd be surprised if my childhood was any more 'pampered' than yours.

I am not Oxbridge myself - but I do find it a bit tiresome when I see Oxbridge bashing...when there is no need. Frustrated was asking a simple question, one that any of us grads could ask - but got an unfair response just because he graduated from Oxbridge, which I think is a great achievement anyway.Why not give him tips about what these consultancy firms are likely to look for i.e. within the case study approach, the competency based section??Sp best of luck with the interviews Frustrated, keep going and chin up - I am in the same position myself as a graduate, so can't give you any advice I am afraid, I am sure someone will :)

Let's leave out the Oxbridge bashing - it's boring.Frustrated - give us some examples of feedback you have had. You may not think there is a common thread, but chances are there is one.

Thanks Mars. The feedback I've got (positive and negative) has been:Firm A"Amazing quantitative skills, very strong on 'linear' case studies, impressive CV. But lack of enthusiasm, nervousness under pressure, and struggled with an 'ambigious' case study on pricing strategy"My view: I didn't perform well on that one case study, but the four others were good. I had no idea I came across as nervous and unenthusiastic. Nervous maybe when struggling with a case, but very surprised I didn't come across as enthusiastic.Firm B"Best leadership skills we saw today by far, but in the presentation to the group you didn't solve the problem given to you. Your role play was ok, but not dazzling. Otherwise a very strong candidate"My view: A bit harsh, I thought, but lesson learned on sticking to the instructions given. I did skip over a lot of the calculations allocated to me during the presentation to the group, but only so as to spend more time discussing business issues rather than copying a big table of numbers onto the board for 2 minutes. I figured my CV proves I can add.Firm C(Similar positives as A & B), but "too little depth in answering an estimation question". Fair, it was the first real estimation question I'd been thrown, and I oversimplified. Also, my mind went completely blank when one of them asked "any questions for me?", and I asked him to speculate as to why people go for consulting when banks pay so much more - it sounded better in my head!Firm DNo feedback.I can't decide whether the specific weaknesses are addressable, or whether they point to a general weakness which says a job in MC just isn't for me.Any advice would obviously be much appreciated.

No feedback from firm D? And you were a last round candidate?Please do the labor market a favor and make sure you bash this company every time you can.

lol.... Can't beleive you actually asked that question to firm C! With all due respect (which is little), u tw@t.

Some elementary pointers, apologies to all those for who this is a bit basic:Think before you speak: there is no shame is considering your response to a question before opening your mouth. A reasoned response with some qualifying detail is what is needed.You seem to be on a see-saw; you react to the previous feedback and overemphasise either your analytics or your personality; the trick is to balance both both showing a lot of both.Don't assume an interviewer will assume anything. If you think your CV makes x clear because having a 1st in Maths suggest you can add up then you are an idiot; what you cannot demonstrate to your audience you do not have.show your workings - much like the classroom, if you make assumption x then demonstrate how you got to x. Even if x is wrong your logic will be apparent. No one expects you to have all the answers (yet).Think of some questions before the interview - not hard really, some about career progression, projects, why the interviewer chose to join the firm etc are good ones, or if you get along really well you could be more adventurous, such as whether the Societe Generale debacle will be the end of bonuses in IB, was it a cover up of huge CDO losses from SG blamed on one (junior) trader who didnt have the position to lose that much in the first place? You get the idea.After 3 years on a grad programme you know precious little about business issues in a wider context compared to your audience in the MC interview so concentrate on what they want to see - great raw material with a large dose of common sense, ability to draw some reasonable and reasoned conclusions from data. They do not want you to map out how to divest the Bank of England.Stick to what you are asked to do; this will be a useful skill when on projects and you are asked to do x; if you do y instead then the project leader will be very displeased. If they ask you to solve a problem, solve it. Simple really.Try to relax in interviews - not too much where you become blase but try to enjoy it - remind yourself it is a 2 way process, and that you are trying to learn if you want to join them as much as they are with you. It is a discussion rather than an interrogation so approach it as such - until you report to someone - anyone - treat them on a peer basis, whether it is a Director of a MC firm or a beggar in the street. This will ensure both humilty and that you can look anyone at interview in the eye and know in your own mind that you are worth their time, they are worth your time, and the decision is not all theirs. This will address the tendency to oversimplify, not think ahead, not taking time to consider instructions or questions properly, and overcompensating after each piece of constructive - if negative - feedback.

Thanks for the advice Mars.A lot of it I'd realised by this point, but some of it needs drumming home at every opportunity (e.g. "Don't assume"), and I hadn't particularly considered the see-saw (but it's pretty clear in hind-sight).

You're welcome Frustrated - now go nail that next interview and let us know how you get on!

blood, why don't u name the firms? U'll Neva work for 'em.Easy bruv

Blood? How very "street gangsta". I thought it was only 12 year olds who spoke like that. Braap braap.Pray tell, above Frustrated refers to Oxbridge.....is this the same as Oxford Uni?