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Bain & Company I’m currently prepping for Bain & Company and McKinsey & Company interviews scheduled in the next 2 months. For those that interviewed with both, how would you suggest I tailor my preparation for each one? I understand McKinsey is interviewer led while Bain is the opposite. But other than that, is there anything else I should work on separately for each one?
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As a hiring manager myself who really goes out of the way to include candidates with different life experiences-
I would still say, hire a sitter. Find a local teenager who can sit with your baby in another room…
If you can bounce the baby during normal work, great (and yes they are actually pretty easy until they get mobile and walking, at least for some baby personalities!)
But I just can’t see a hiring manager going with a candidate who brings the kid to the interview, and it’s apparent from the camera perspective.
As someone that interviews candidates almost on a daily AND I have a 4 month old myself, I definitely have a high level of empathy and understanding for folks with babies and kids. With that said, not everyone may understand therefore to not throw anyone off I would encourage you to be transparent with the interviewer and advise them of the environment you will find yourself in while attending the virtual interview. This will allow you to feel more comfortable and the interviewer will not be taken by surprise. You should not however feel obliged to explain your day care situation or childcare as a whole… you should be treated like any other qualified candidate.
It’s uncommon but at this point, seriously, if any one is offended by that, then you wouldn’t want to work there anyway.
It is definitely unusual. I would be transparent with whomever is setting up the interview about the fact this is something you have did in the past explaining the circumstances. You should be able to gage whether this would be acceptable based on how they respond. If their response is stiff or the tone changes, I highly recommend making other arrangements so that you can attend without your infant. Try scheduling based on your infants sleep schedule. If they do say it is acceptable, I recommend mentioning what arrangements you have made to be able to work and care for your infant. It will put them at ease about you juggling both.
Honestly, it’s a good barometer for whether you actually want to work at that company. If they think you’re unprofessional for your kid popping into the interview, so be it. They probably aren’t the right employer for you. I agree that you should just communicate the situation ahead of time.
Obviously you want your interview to be about YOU and your qualifications, and as long as you showcase those things you should be okay.
Maybe you can inform your interviewer ahead of time about your situation. At least they won't be surprised and somehow understand your situation. But you also need to assure them that you can handle it in case you get the job.
While unusual, if you are transparent I believe it will not be an issue. On the interview itself, thank they for their flexibility and assure them you have childcare solutions if the position is accepted.
Please make other arrangements, how where you planning to work if you don’t have your childcare situation under control.
Hire a reliable sitter during that time (care.com!). While you’re not obligated to share childcare struggles with the employer, doing both FT is a struggle. If the position will be meeting and/or project heavy, how can the employer trust you will get your work done? Most companies have some sort of policy stating you must have childcare during the work day and can not do both with all the attention that’s needed to be a SAHP and a FT employee.
If I were to ask, I really don't mind at all. That is not an unusual scenario for the past 7 years of being in the industry. It's understandable given the fact that not all applicants are single. Just be upfront and tell them about it. I am pretty sure they will understand. It is only an interview anyway. If they can't understand your temporary current situation, they will never understand you in any aspect at all.