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"Decision Made" with no other update

I attended the final round of interview with McKinsey last week, and followed up for an update yesterday. The recruiter replied - "A decision has been made and you will be contacted soon".. What does this mean and why would they let you hanging like that ?

I am stressed about the result, the interviews was mostly good, but I don't really know what to expect.  

 

Update: Received rejection phone just now 

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Top answer
on Nov 23, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: The recruiter replied - "A decision has been made and you will be contacted soon".. What does this mean and why would they let you hanging like that ?

This is unusual. Normally when they make a decision they let you know right away.

Unfortunately it is not possible for anyone but the interviewers to evaluate your particular case now.

Although I understand your desire to get a clear answer on your performance, the only thing you can do now is to act on what is in your control, that is (i) prepare for other interviews/ apply to other companies and/or (ii) wait for the results.

Good luck!

Francesco

Deleted user
on Nov 22, 2022

Hi there 

I guess nobody has the right answer here really. Don’t want to make you more anxious or get stressed out further but frankly in my opinion this could potentially indicate a negative outcome, as the firms typically do not wait that long to communicate a positive result. Again, I might be completely wrong here and I hope I am. probably the interviewer (usually a partner) who needs to communicate the outcome is really busy. Best thing would be to not think about it and keep your fingers crossed as you will really be contacted soon. 
 

good luck

10
Ian
Coach
on Nov 23, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Sorry they are leaving you hanging like this.

Try not to be too stressed about the result. Remember when you were waiting on results for your final exams? For your university applications? For a presentation? Etc. How often do you think about those moments now?

This will pass. You'll either get McKinsey and work there or you won't and you'll work somewhere else.

Please keep networking with and applying to other firms…McKinsey isn't the end-all-be-all!

Lucie
Coach
on Nov 22, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

well this could mean anything… in my case it was very similar, they told me that they cant tell me yet and the result is known, but I was pushing to understand is this good or bad and they told me at the end they like me, it looks positive but they cant tell me more. At the end I got the offer and the time delay was to align among all interviewers confirming to offer me Project Leader role and not consultant. Hence, you can push and say you are having another offer and at least you want to know the outcome is positive or negative to not lose other options, just in case. It is fair. 

Crossing fingers it is positive!!

Was this answer helpful?

Rushabh
Coach
on Nov 22, 2022
Limited Availability | BCG Expert | Middle East Expert | 100+ Mocks Delivered | IESE & NYU MBA | Ex-KPMG Dxb Consultant

Hello,

It is quite unfortunate that they are leaving you hanging like this. To be very honest, it sounds like they were on the fence of giving you an offer and were interviewing other candidates in the meanwhile. It sounds more negative than positive from my experience, but hang in there, I have seen people get offers in such situtations too!

All the best!

Rushabh

Florian
Coach
on Nov 22, 2022
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

That is super unfortunate and a weird way to leave candidates hanging. I have not come across this so the only thing I can say is fingers crossed for a strong outcome!

Cheers,

Florian

Pedro
Coach
on Nov 22, 2022
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

That is the message you get when they made a decision but… they can't make the decision. My guess is that since recruiting is getting slow, they think you are good, but don't know what offer to make (i.e. when to hire you… or if they can hire you).

Let us know of the outcome, please!

Udayan
Coach
on Nov 22, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

It could mean any number of things. Most likely it is an automated update that happens post the final round in the system. McKinsey is very good at getting back to the candidate post a decision.

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