Guys, maybe stupid but... in strat houses (MBBB, ATK and Roland Berger) is there anything like 'candidates book'? I heard (but it's hard to believe in it) that in IBs there is a book with all the CV/cover letter from past candidates.Anyway, I'd like to apply to some consultancies and I don't want my friends (who work there) to know about this if I'm unsuccessful. But if there is such a book or so then it can be tricky ;-)

i think this is the wrong approachyou should get your friends to introduce you - if you are not confident that you stand a reasonable chance then why apply?

Then I guess I have different approach ;-). I don't like owing anything to anybody. If I'm good enough I'll get the job by myself. I won't stand the feeling that somebody helped me with something (and esp. getting the job).So coming back to the original question... is there anything like the book?

If they do hold such a book and make it available to their staff, then unless they have an exceptionally good 'business reason' for storing this sensitive personal information and distributing it in this way, they are in serious breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. I think therefore that you can assume that such a book does not exist.

Just picking up on the introduction route. no consultant, friend of otherwise, within MBB would recommend you or refer you to their firm unless they were confident you would be a good fit. A poor recommendation reflects very badly on the judgement of the consultant who made it.

Theoretically, yes. However for many the lure of the referral fee is just too great. I made a small fortune by blagging my mates into the firm I worked for many years ago. They wouldn't have got in if it weren't for my hyping them up, that's for certain!

SVP - thanks for reply.A Mars A Day... 2 of my friends are encouranging me to apply to their firms and offering help. I just don't want any help. I'd feel like having 500k mortgage (vel some other thread here ;-). I prefer not to have this job than get it thanks to somebody. It's about me and my qualifications.

I very highly doubt there is a book. It's a computer database in this day and age.

What does MBBB stand for? I've just googled it and got 'Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy'. I'm guessing that's not it.

McKinsey [& Company], Bain [& Company], Boston [Consulting Group], Booz [Allen Hamilton]

KKK take the offer of help if its there - entry is competitive, and if a contact can help you then where is the harm? As SVP pointed out they are rewardeded with a referral fee anyway should you join. j-hunter - MBB stands for McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company.

A Mars A Day... the harm is that every time I would see this person, I'd feel obliged to "pay the debt" - be nice, correct, etc. Now I have really healthy relationship with my friends - if someone plays on my nerves I just speak my mind. When we argue, I say it. After the referral I'd have the feeling that I need to be 'ass kisser' ;-). Maybe that's strange, but that's how I feel. And that's why either I'll get there by myself or stay where I'm now. But thx for advice.

Are you really talking about friends? Or are you talking about a friend of a friend who knows somebody who works there?I always thought that friends were happy to help without asking for anything in return...Call me melancholic....

I agree - it sounds a bit wrong headed not to ask friends for a bit of help. Sure you may feel a little awkward about it, however this cost is negligible in the grand scheme of things. Are you particularly shy/ reticent about putting yourself out there? Or would you feel too embarassed if you didn't get the position?

2 scenarios (simplification of course):1: you keep trying direct, and beaten to the post/s because others have been given the inside track and recommended by friends already in situ in the consulting firm. You end up nowhere, but with no sense of oblilgation.2. a friend/contact recommends you to their line manager, who goes through HR, and you get an interview. Great, but your friend a pint, but the offer will depend on your performance in the interview. Unless your friends are CEOs and can dominate the board, its irrelevant. In this scenario you do what everyone does - join firm A for a few years and then move on. You never know - you may even get the chance to return the favour!

Spring Blues - they are real friends. And for the sake of this real fiendship, I don't wanna ask.Though Agreeer is also right. Embarassment is also the reason.

I work for a consultancy and I know that referals usually get bypassed the early stages of recruitment. This is because a they assume that the person making the reference knows a bit about the person and that they will be capable.

MBBB = MercerBTBASBowne Business Solutions

KKK - I can vouch for there being a book at a number of the top I-Banks (There is definately one at GS), so as you say it seems very possible that the strat houses would have a similar system. Even if there is not a book, there is still a pretty good chance that your friends would find out you are applying, especially if you have common elements on your CV eg. University, School, year of graduation etc.

LOL @ anon. I haven't laughed so darn hard for years!

Thanks Diz. Are these books with all candidates or only those who got the job?

The one at GS is with all the candidates on. It is passed round the desk and employees are invited to take a look and see who they thing whould be invited to interview etc.