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

Two weeks without hearing back is frustrating, but it doesn't automatically mean bad news.

McKinsey's process can be slow, especially for experienced hires. Sometimes decisions get delayed but silence doesn't always mean you're borderline. Sometimes things just move slowly.

On the math slips, don't beat yourself up. Everyone makes small mistakes. What matters more is how you handled it and whether your overall thinking came through. One shaky interview doesn't sink you if the other one went well.

On following up, you've already sent one email, so I'd wait a few more days before reaching out again. If it's been over two weeks, one more short note is fine. Just keep it simple: "Hi [Name], just checking in on the status of my Round 1 interviews. Happy to provide anything else if helpful."

Don't keep sending follow-ups back to back though. That can come across as anxious.

If you do move to Round 2, here's what to expect:

The format is similar, but they'll push harder. Cases might feel less structured and more like a real conversation. They want to see sharper thinking and cleaner synthesis.

PEI goes deeper too. They'll dig into your stories and ask follow-ups that test your judgment and self-awareness.

Since you're an experienced hire, they're also checking if you can operate at the level they're hiring you for. Show maturity, communicate clearly, and demonstrate solid business judgment.

Keep prepping while you wait. If good news comes, you'll be ready. If not, you'll be even sharper for the next opportunity.

Good luck.

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

Hi there,

Until you receive an official rejection, please do not assume so.

I suggest you waiting another 1-2 weeks before sending a friendly follow-up. It's not uncommon for them to take some time to get back to you.

Final rounds check the same things with a slight difference that Senior Partners tend to like to throw in "curve-ball" cases, which are cases that a bit abnormal. However, these cases still leverage the same skills you've been hopefully honing in your cases: structured thinking, clear communication, etc.

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

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

I know the wait is awful. I also waited for 10 days after my McK final. But when they called, they called with an offer. 

So it doens't have to mean anything. 

Sometimes administrative things get in the way that have nothing to do with you or your performance. 

So try to keep yourself busy by developing other applications or doing something else useful with your life. 

Fingers crossed that you hear from them soon!
Best,
Cristian

The waiting game is brutal, especially when they miss the timeline they gave you. That anxiety is completely warranted—and trust me, every candidate feels it when the updates stop.

Here is the reality of the delay: If you were a definite "High Pass" after those interviews, you would have heard back within 48 to 72 hours. Being pushed into the second week means you are currently in the "Hold" or "Review" queue. This is not a definitive no, but it means you are borderline and are waiting to see if enough "Higher Pass" candidates decline or if they need to fill specific remaining headcount slots. HR is processing candidates in batches, and they prioritize securing the strongest performers first.

You already sent one follow-up, which was the right move. Do not send another one. HR already knows you are waiting, and additional emails will not speed up partner consensus or calendar coordination. Focus your energy on preparing as if you will get the call.

If you move to Round 2, expect the casework to be highly integrative. McKinsey typically tests less on pure math speed and more on how you structure ambiguity, define the core problem, and handle complex behavioral elements of client interaction. Be prepared to dive deeper into your Personal Experience Interview (PEI) examples and practice cases that are less about structured market sizing and more about ambiguous strategic direction. You should be able to articulate why your solutions are commercially viable and ethically sound.

Hope it helps! All the best.

hey there :)

No news doesn’t automatically mean a rejection, McKinsey sometimes takes longer to coordinate feedback, especially for experienced hire rounds. Since you already sent a follow-up, I would wait a few more days before reaching out again. If you move to Round 2, expect slightly more strategic or less “textbook” cases and deeper PEI discussion, focus on structuring, clear logic, and concrete examples from your experience. Practicing a few non-traditional cases in advance helps a lot.

best,
Alessa :)