Re apply

Hi there, 

If you've been specifically told not to apply within the next twelve months, I would advise you not to do so. 

They might not notice it in the beginning, but they might figure it out later, so it's not the smartest of strategies to apply. Instead, try to figure out how you could improve your value as a candidate in this timeframe. 

Best,

Cristian

Hey - 

I would not apply before the 12 month cooling off period. This might lead to another ban unless your circumstance has now changed and you have enrolled into an MBA or a masters. In that case apply through the MBA / masters hiring process. 

Best, 
Eishan 

Hi there,

Q: What happens if re-apply if there is a vacancy before the 12 months waiting period?

I guess you are referring to the McKinsey PSG.

The ban after the game is usually 12 months and they should keep the score for that period. The fact that there is a vacancy doesn’t change the ban period.

If you want to apply again, you have basically two options:

1. Wait until the end of the ban
2. Find someone that can refer you for the new position, mention explicitly the previous rejection, and see if they can help, ideally having them interact first with HR. There are no guarantees this will work though. With this second option you normally have to:
   • Show relevant improvements in your CV that justify the earlier application
   • Wait a minimum amount of time anyway (I would wait at least 6 months)

You can find more on referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Best,

Francesco

The purpose of the ‘ban’ is to ensure that you have sufficient time to show that you have a significantly different profile for them to reconsider you. 

If you re-apply soon after being rejected there is nothing really different about your profile for them to be interested in you again.

The one exception to this I have seen is being part of an MBA program at a top 12 school

Hey there,

You will directly be rejected. Sometimes you can shorten the ban period with a strong referral (think of EM-level upward) but you definitely also need to show improvements in your resume with regard to

• Academic success
• Work experience
• Time spent abroad
• Extracurriculars

All the best!

Florian

12-18 months is the minimum for re-applying. 
Besides, the fact that you didn't pass the digital assessment is usually considered a quite important red flag. 

Hi there,

Unless you are going through a distinctly different channel (e.g. MBA fall recruiting), please don't re-apply before the ban period is done!

Hello,

As Florian mentioned, you will be rejected. Firms will have a defined application ban period that applies to all candidates - this is also to ensure a fair and meritocratic process (as far as possible)

I don't recommend re-applying before the “ban-period” is over. The result will be another rejection. There have even been people who got black-listed because they chose to ignore the ban and kept re-applying. Better to try other companies in the meantime 

You'll be fine to apply after 12 months - McKinsey institutes a ‘ban’ of 12 months to give you time to learn and grow, so if you wait for this time to be over there will be no problem to applying again. 

Good luck!