Hi there. I am hoping to get your POV on a recent experience with ACN. I have biz and brand strat background, and I am currently based at the consulting practice of a tech firm. Reputationally - not great but subject matter is exceptionally good, relevant and delivered work straight into the c-suite.I applied and was invited by ACN to an AC. The day kicked off really well with MD interview, and only got better. I got a lot of positive signals throughout and I left feeling like I couldn't have done better. I got turned down. The HR person told me that it was due to poorly structured responses in the HR interview* and generally positive on the rest of the day (emphasis on positive MD impression.)My hypothesis:Everybody liked me, and decided to hang it on HR. Because:1. Current salary is 18% above advertised top range for the role (and they found out in the HR interview on the day.)2. My notice period is 3 months (although I made it clear I am on good terms in my current role and can talk it down if made an offer.) Again - they found this out on the AC day.3. They felt that they can get better value for money elsewhere. I was pretty upfront with HR - told her to be specific about my shortcomings, so hopefully they'll call back with more feedback but I won't be surprised if it comes on the 40th of Never. Thoughts?*Which I don't entirely believe, but for brevity I don't want to expand why in this post.

My thoughts:I don't think it is 'bizarre' to get a rejection after a job interview. Maybe this thread should be titled "Common Accenture Outcome". Maybe your perception on the day was different to theirs.What are you looking for? Independent verification that your hypotheses are indeed correct so that you can feel better about it? I would just move on...PS: Did you use words like 'biz' and 'brand strat' in the interview? That could have something to do with it.

Perhaps in the HR interview they didn't feel you had enough self-awareness?

Thanks. Fair point re: rejection. As somebody who's been on both sides of the table, I'm aware of the potential perceptual mismatch, but that's not the point. The HR feedback was not clear about my performance on the day (apart from the HR session, which I don't think is the most significant part of the process) or how I fall short on the job requirements. Based on what information I have available I want to draw a line between my AC performance and my salary package/notice etc. in order to understand where and how I need to improve. P.S. No

Hahahaha. At risk of sounding the sour grapes alarm I have to say that ACN isn't exactly known for its culture of self-awareness.

If you've been on both sides of the fence you'll know that providing comprehensive feedback to rejected candidates is not in the interest of the interviewing company.People here can only hypothesize - you've already developed your own hypotheses, you are unlikely to change them based on the comments of an anonymous discussion forum, no?As per my previous post - it's not clear what you are looking for, but it is clear you are not likely to find it here...

Very well then. Admin - shutter the bastard board.

Hi- my 2 penneth 1)They probably wouldn't care about your salary- but unless you poo poo'ed what they were offering on the day I doubt that would be a factor.2)They wouldn't care at all about the start date. Lots of people get delayed starts of months on end.3) Well answer 3 is saying , you were not viewed as good enough.You are right to pursue the feedback as the notice and very probably the money would not have been a factor.

Thanks acnSM - really appreciate the input. I did not comment on the advertised salary - just stated my current package. I'll try to gather whatever I can when (and if) they decide to come back to me, and in the meantime I'll have a good look at myself and think what I could have done better.

HR will follow the lead of the business in 90% of cases. If the business thought that you were a good fit and felt they could staff you and you would contribute to the firm, it's unlikely that HR would have overruled this. Most likely is that you received some negative feedback or concerns from the MD and this simply put you behind the others in the assessment day. I would not expect too much relevant feedback - simple priorities will put you at the back of the pack for this.I can imagine though that if you came to me talking about biz and brand strat and delivering work straight to the C-Suite, then I would question your fit - both culturally and functionally - to the job you were applying for (you don't mention which area of Accenture you applied for or which level - this would be useful information to know)..Additionally - a lot of Accenture, or indeed any firm with an embedded culture grown typically from within, is about "fit". You can't really quantify this - and it may have been something a simple as an MD saying "this guy's good - but not here". Ultimately - don't take it personally, move on. We're self aware enough to know that we are not the only firm out there for you...

Hi powernap, I think you're going about this all wrong. You're obviously (and rightly) disappointed about the rejection but I think you're focusing too much on the wrong things here. I think you want this feedback to justify your own ego rather than to see where you could improve for future interviews.No matter what HR says on the telephone, you will not talk yourself back in to the job and I think you know as well as anyone on here that you will not receive comprehensive feedback.

To lighten the mood - I would suggest you contact Bravehearted. He can give you some tips on how to relentless pursue professional women for a second chance only to be met with apathy....

Thanks Arby - sorry I don't feel like I can disclose more, but I really appreciate your input. I can already think of a few of areas which compounded could translate to less than perfect cultural fit, and how some of my project work may have missed the mark on the job spec. Thankfully I didn't go all porter from the hood on them (nor will I ever.)

[quote]I think you're going about this all wrong.I think you're focusing too much on the wrong things here. I think you want this feedback to justify your own ego rather than to see where you could improve for future interviews.I think you know as well as anyone on here that you will not receive comprehensive feedback.[/quote]Lighten up dude. And get your thinking hat checked.

'Dude', 'biz', 'strat' - and you wonder why there is a possibility that you weren't suitable for ACN culture?There's nothing wrong with my 'thinking hat', and I'm perfectly lightened up... I was highlighting your desire to sooth your ego with feedback for your rejection, rather than using said feedback to your advantage for future job hunting. If you're not happy with that, don't post silly threads (open for public discussion) about how 'bizarre' you receiving a rejection is.

[quote]Additionally - a lot of Accenture, or indeed any firm with an embedded culture grown typically from within, is about "fit". You can't really quantify this - and it may have been something a simple as an MD saying "this guy's good - but not here". Ultimately - don't take it personally, move on. We're self aware enough to know that we are not the only firm out there for you...[/quote]Arby couldn't have said it better! I just had a telephone interview that went really well. Didn't progress. Which was fine I guess, since the role was a bit junior and I know I would have declined if offered. I think they sensed this. It might have been the same case with you.Or it could have been a "scam". I went for an interview recently. Unsuccessful at the final stage. I then see that they (connected to some of then on LinkedIn) have since connected with people from my previous companies. LOL, "trying to make friends", I was told. Jokers. But then again, I should only expect as much from UK consultancies (the likes of PA justify this statement). ROFL! Though, I don't think this was the case since it's Accenture in your case.

Hehe - touche.On a serious note, there are parallels to be drawn - dealing with rejection, moving on, bruised ego, seeking help on top consultant.The moment of clarity is amazing; when you realise the chase and relentless pursuing is utterly pointless.Powernap, do as I do and think que sera sera. If you're meant to work at Accenture, it'll happen - later. Heck, I had a rejection from Deloitte couple years back. Que sera sera, baby.

Thanks Bravehearted - completely agree :) I will give this a few more days of thought and will summarise my takeouts here for all those who cared to feedback.

Some observations that may give a better insight.Accenture (like all the big boys) have their own culture and a huge self-belief in what they offer to their clients and consultants. Culture fit is paramount with these guys.Any "consultant" coming from a tech organisation also needs to understand that Management Consulting and Tech Consulting are NOT the same thing. Accenture do a bit of both and one could be quite critical about whether they or any of the other Big 5 are really that hot at delivery.That said, they get the engagements on the basis of being who they are (it's a form of self-preservation for the hiring people who, if things go wrong, can say "well, we hired Accenture ...")You would be better to go and look at the competences required of a good consultant as set out by the Institute of Consulting, leading to CMC Accreditation. It's about the best checklist out there, irrespective of whether you think joing the IC is for you. Having looked at those, then an objective self-appraisal may well reveal to you where the gaps lie. That may help you decide where better to place your future job search.What would I know about any of this? Well I've overseen work by Tier 1 & Tier 2 consultancies and in general am unimpressed with their delivery. They cut too many corners to fit their budget and consulting overheads. There's often a serious mismatch between client budgets, knowledge and expectations and those from the suppliers. There's usually only one winner in this and it isn't the client.