No news bad news? MCK round 1 - Experienced Hire Junior Associate

Question

Hi everyone,

It’s been almost two weeks since I had my first two interviews at McKinsey (Round 1). I was told to expect an update the week after the interviews, but I’m now into the second week and haven’t heard back from HR yet.

Does this usually indicate a borderline / no-hire outcome? I had a couple of slips in the math and feel I could have performed better overall, especially in the first interview.
Would you recommend sending another follow-up? I already sent one email at the end of the week following the interviews but didn’t receive a response.

Also, in case I move on to the next round, what should I expect and how should I prepare? I’ve heard that the cases are somewhat less “traditional.”

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

This has no meaning (other than that they're late).

I would probably wait for the beginning of the third week before reaching out.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Delays after McKinsey Round 1 are very common, especially for experienced hire roles. Silence at this stage usually reflects internal scheduling, calibration, or headcount discussions rather than a clear reject. If it were an obvious no, you’d typically hear sooner.

Math slips alone are rarely decisive if your structure and communication were solid. Many candidates who progress feel they could have done better in one of the interviews.

Since you’ve already followed up once, I wouldn’t chase again immediately. Waiting another week before a brief check-in is reasonable.

If you move to the next round, expect more senior interviewers and a less “textbook” case style. The focus shifts toward judgment, prioritization, and synthesis rather than mechanics. For now, keep light prep going and try not to overanalyze.

Best,
Evelina