I have an offer from a boutique but my MBB final around is one month later. What should I do?

First you should reach out to the MBB and be clear. Waiting one month to start the interviews actually means two months to end the process. No one will wait two months to know if you are going to join or not. You definitely need a faster process.

By the way, MBB can do it when they want to. They can have a process as fast as two weeks if they need to (and this means really wanting someone and really thinking you can be a good candidate, so they won't do it for anyone).

Once you have a better timeframe, you should be clear with the boutique and ask them for more time to finish your other interviews. The provided reason is simple: you want to make sure you are chosing the best option before you join. Deciding you have a better option after you join is a pain for everyone. More importantly, if you go through the MBB recruiting process now and fail to get an offer, you won't be able to reapply for quite a while. So that means you will be loyal during that period.

No prob. Noone ist in actual rusch to have one more consultant in the firm. Just take your time with something like:

 << I still have some final rounds and I would like to go through them before taking my final decision, therefore I would need a couple more weeks. So far I must really say that I really appreciate everyone I met at your company and I could really see myself working here. However, this is a very important decision for me and I want to make sure that is really informed and sound. >>

Had the exact same situation. 

Basically I received an offer from a smaller consulting firm and I still have my McKinsey interviews planned for two weeks after. I asked for time to think about the decision but they figured out I was interviewing with another firm and playing my chances. So they forced me to give the answer in two days which I ended up refusing. 

My advice would be to ask for time, perhaps explain that there are some personal reasons that have come up and you'd appreciate their flexibility. If that doesn't work, then you have to make the tough decision of playing your chances. 

If you are convinced that MBB is a better FIT for you and its worth the risk, then stall the process with the Boutique. Dont get them started on visa and then withdraw in the middle- its not professional.

4 weeks + is a long time to ask from the Boutique, so you really need to come up with a solid but empathetic reason.

Hi there,

See to what extent you can accelerate your MBB final round (message them saying you have an offer but want to complete the current process).

Simultaneously see how long you can delay the boutique (tell them you're really interested in them but need to finish all interviews and can't make a decision before then).

Good luck!

Hi!

First, I would contact MBB HR to inform them about the offer and try and schedule an early interview.

Then, I'd try to take time with the boutique, either by asking for more time to think about the offer or directly tell them that you'd like to interview also for other companies.

Best,

Anto

You should do a push & pull on both sides:

• Try to delay the joining date for the Boutique firm. Could be due to any reason - except telling them that you are waiting on MBB process.
• Try to prepone MBB by explicitly telling them that you have an existing offer in hand. In many situations they expedite in such cases.

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