Reapplication to Mckinsey's different office

Hi!

I wouldn’t assume that you need to wait a full year, but I also wouldn’t submit a London application immediately without checking first.

A few points I’d keep in mind:

• Since you didn’t reach the interview stage, I wouldn’t automatically assume the same reapplication timeline that often applies after an interview rejection.
• Before applying to London, I’d contact London recruiting directly and ask whether you are currently eligible to apply given that you recently applied to Middle East. That avoids guessing and potentially wasting an application.
• In parallel, I’d start networking with people in the London office. Not only for a referral, but also to understand how to position yourself well for that specific office.
• I would make sure the London application has a clear rationale for why London, so it doesn’t look like simply moving from one office to another after a rejection.
• And I would keep preparing for cases now anyway. If London confirms you can apply and the process moves quickly, you don’t want to start preparing from scratch after receiving an interview invite.

Your strong Solve result is obviously encouraging, but I wouldn’t use it to infer what the reapplication policy will be. The most useful next step is simply to confirm eligibility with London recruiting and prepare in parallel.

Best,
Carlos

Hi,

Sharing from personal experience - back when I was at INSEAD, I first applied via the campus, got rejected in the application round itself. Re-applied two months later by personally reaching out to the Practice Lead Recruiter via LinkedIn, got the interview, got the offer and went on to work for McKinsey (Brussels office) for 7 years until recently, when I was an Associate Partner :)

So short answer - try, you never know :) In theory there is a cooling-off period, but sometimes there could be good reason to get another opportunity :) No downside to re-trying!

Good luck!

I'd ask McKinsey directly before you reapply anywhere. Their public application FAQ doesn't give a waiting period, and the numbers you'll see on forums vary, so the answer that counts is the one recruiting gives you for your own profile.

I'd assume London can see your Middle East application. A different office won't necessarily reset anything, and a month after the decision is early to be applying again without asking.

Keep the email short. Say you weren't taken forward for the Middle East offices, that you'd like to be considered for London, and ask whether you're eligible now and whether your existing Solve result can be reused. A ninth-decile score is a fair reason to ask. It doesn't guarantee they'll waive a wait, so keep your other applications moving while you hear back.

Hi there, 

Sorry to hear the application didn't go through. 

It's worth knowing that the score is not the only thing that matters, but also the other elements of your application. 

Re the reapplication timeline - typically that's one year, but in some cases the offices can be flexible. But even then, you're typically looking at a 9 months rather than 1 month. 

Also, London sounds good, but it's also super competitive and it only makes sense to target it if you have some sort of connection with the location - e.g., you studied there or worked there or are from there - otherwise your application might seem a bit random. 

If you need any help or have questions, feel free to drop me a message. 

Best,
Cristian

To be honest, your Solve Score is not always the only thing that counts. Checking with the London Recruiter will not solve this problem completely because they can not tell you why it did not work out. You have been rejected and of course you can have another shot and it can be a success. 

BUT: let someone check your CV, go through it and try to improve it. There might be another reason instead of "them not hiring at the moment". So for a next try, it is helpful to show improvement.

Let me know if you need more details.

Hi,

The 12 to 18 month cool-off people quote follows a failed interview, so I would not apply it to your case, though I would ask London recruiting whether you are eligible before submitting anything.

For London itself, a contact inside that office will do more for you than the timing, so I would start there.

Best,

Franco

hey!

I’d first reach out to McKinsey London recruiting before submitting a new application. A rejection from one office doesn’t necessarily mean you need to wait before applying to another, especially if the decision was related to hiring needs in the Middle East.

You can mention that you completed Solve in the 9th decile and are now interested in London. Ask whether your existing application or Solve result can be transferred, and whether there is any cooling-off period for reapplying.

Alessa

Hi there,

This is a tricky scenario! I think the answer here is going to be a bit case-specific.

I would network with the target office and, once you get a referral and/or a touchpoint with HR/Recruiting explain your situation. See what they say.

Also, your Solve score and whether the office is hiring aren't the only factors. Your application is assessed holistically, and there's also an element of chance. A strong score doesn't guarantee an interview, and a rejection doesn't necessarily mean they weren't hiring.

There may be a one year waiting period before you can reapply, even to a different office, but check with recruiting to see what applies to your situation.