Two months is a tough wait, and that silence can be maddening, especially when you’re trying to navigate the black box of consulting recruiting.
Here's the reality for Tier 2 firms like OC&C, particularly in the competitive London market: Unlike the MBB firms, which run constant, massive recruiting machines, many boutiques recruit in bursts based on immediate project needs or specific headcount approval cycles. If your application landed two months ago, one of two things is likely true: either they received the volume of candidates they needed in the first few weeks and are now prioritizing that initial pool, or the entire cycle for your starting date has been paused. In these cases, the default status is often "hold list," which functionally means a soft rejection unless an internal referral reactivates it.
You asked about the process: When they do move forward, OC&C generally follows the standard UK boutique structure—a preliminary screen (often a quick phone call or automated test) followed by 2 to 3 rounds of fit and case interviews. Expect the cases to be demanding, often incorporating market sizing and strategic thinking specific to their common sectors (Retail/PE/Media).
What you should do now is pivot strategically. Never wait for an application past 4-6 weeks; assume it's dead and use networking to try and resurrect it. Identify an alumnus or someone working there now, reach out for a structured informational interview, and express your enthusiasm. If that connection is successful, they can flag your existing application to HR. This is often the only way to jump the queue after a significant delay.
All the best!
