McKinsey application delayed, What should I do?

Hi Anonymous!

Yes, it is totally fine to send a follow-up email later this week.

Just keep in mind that the recruiting team is definitely aware of the timeline and is likely swamped with similar emails from other candidates. Because of this, you want your follow-up to be as frictionless as possible for them to read and reply to. Always be gentle and make sure to thank your recruiter for their help so far! :)

Here are a few quick tips for your follow-up:

• Keep it brief: They are busy, so get straight to the point without sounding demanding.
• Acknowledge their workload: A little empathy goes a long way.
• Reiterate your interest: Briefly state that you are still very excited about the opportunity.

Good luck!

Tom

Hi, 

This is quite normal — I’ve seen this happen many times with McKinsey.

Delays like this are usually due to internal timing (events, pipeline management, headcount approvals), not a signal on your candidacy. The fact that your status is still “in progress” is actually a good sign — it means you’re still in the process.

At this point, it’s absolutely fine to follow up. You’ve already waited longer than the timeline they communicated, so a polite check-in is appropriate.

I’d suggest keeping it simple and professional, something along the lines of:

“Hi, I wanted to briefly follow up on my application, as I understood the screening would resume in March. I remain very interested and would appreciate any updates you may be able to share.”

No need to overthink it — this won’t hurt your chances.

Then, once you’ve sent it, just move on and keep preparing. These processes can be slower than expected, but things often restart quickly once recruiting picks up again.

Good luck!

Hi there, 

I can imagine this is quite frustrating - so good job on your patience!

Yes - I would say it has been a month (or more) it is completely reasonable to follow up with the recruiting contact. 

Good luck! Hopefully good news awaits! 
Annika
 

Wait a bit longer. 

I know it's frustrating. But it seems like they are aware of the delay and working on it. 

I advise you to put your energy into developing other applications in the meantime. And if you reach mid-April and you still haven't heard from them, then follow up.

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

At this point, it’s absolutely reasonable to follow up. You’ve already been told your process was delayed, and now you’ve waited beyond the timeline they gave you. A polite check-in is both appropriate and expected.

Recruiting processes at firms like McKinsey & Company can be slow and event-driven, so delays don’t necessarily reflect negatively on your application — but they also don’t mean you should stay passive.

A good approach is to:

• Send a short, polite follow-up email
• Reaffirm your continued interest
• Ask if there are any updates or next steps

Keep it simple and professional — no need to over-explain or sound concerned.

If you don’t hear back after this, give it another 1–2 weeks before following up again.

The key point: you’re not being pushy — you’re staying engaged in a process that is already delayed.

Best
Evelina

I understand the waiting is frustrating. It’s fine to follow up, but keep in mind that current geopolitical developments may be affecting McKinsey’s priorities, including recruitment. While there’s no formal hiring freeze, it’s common to delay recruitment decisions until there’s better visibility on upcoming project demand.

In short: go ahead and send a follow-up email—it should give you more clarity on next steps.

Send the follow-up tomorrow. You applied in January, they told you March, and March is done. Asking for an update is completely reasonable.

Keep it to two or three sentences. Mention the recruiter's February email, say March has passed, and ask if there are any updates on next steps. That is all you need. No need to apologise for following up.

The in progress status is actually a good sign. Rejections usually update the portal. You are probably just in a queue.

Hi there,

Generally you should receive a response within a few weeks (pass or fail).

What I will say is that I know a number of recruiters who say they're absolutely swamped right now. My guess is that your application is still there but they haven't gotten around to it yet.

I highly recommend you pick up the phone and ring them.

And yes, you can send a follow up on April 1... that's totally fine.

Make sure you're case ready BEFORE they get back to you.

For the full recruiting process from application to offer: 360 Degree Consulting Recruiting Course

hey there :)

yes, I’d definitely send a short follow up now. given that McKinsey & Company explicitly told you March and it’s now April, you’re fully justified and it actually shows professionalism, not impatience.

keep it very light and friendly, just checking in on timing and reaffirming your interest. no pressure tone.

if you still don’t hear back after ~1 week, you can send one more nudge, but usually one follow up is enough to get things moving again.

happy to draft the message with you if you want!

best,
Alessa :)

It's completely understandable to feel frustrated and uncertain when your application gets stuck in limbo like this. Many candidates experience similar delays with top-tier firms.

What often happens behind the scenes is that firms like McKinsey manage a massive inflow of applications. When they say "postponed due to recruiting events," it usually means their immediate capacity for screening is maxed out, or they've temporarily shifted focus to other priority recruiting channels (e.g., specific campuses or diversity initiatives). Your application isn't necessarily out of the running; it's more likely in a holding pattern, waiting for a new wave of screening slots to open up. The "in progress" status simply confirms it hasn't been formally rejected yet.

Given it's now early April, sending a polite, concise follow-up to the recruiter you previously corresponded with is absolutely fine. Reiterate your continued strong interest and simply ask if there's any updated timeline on when they anticipate resuming the screening process. In the meantime, it's crucial to keep all your other options open and continue actively pursuing other opportunities.

Hope this helps!