Recruiter question

hello!

For experienced hires, the process can take a bit longer than for entry-level roles. It’s normal not to hear back for a week or even two. The recruiter usually drives the process from here, but the partner’s referral carries a lot of weight. The recruiter will assess fit and capacity before moving you to interviews, often in coordination with the relevant practice.

If you haven’t heard back after about 10 days, it’s totally fine to send a short and polite follow-up to the recruiter (or the partner, if they asked you to stay in touch).

Happy to help if you want help drafting a message!

Best,
Alessa :)

It can take a few weeks - it depends on the need for your expertise in the office you’d be applying to.

Recruiters will largely drive the process, but you can follow up with the Partner in a couple of weeks (Partner can push the recruiters internally if they are being slow).

Hi there,

Very clear questions. Let me offer a perspective.

Basically, once the Partner forwarded your application, the recruiter should reach out to you. On average, that can take anywhere between a day and 2-3 weeks. If you've gone over that mark, just contact the recruiter, inform them about the situation, and ask for an update on your application.

At this stage, the recruiter makes the decision whether or not to progress your to the next stage (the interview). But since you are an experienced hire and you were recommended by a Partner, chances are high that you'll pass the screening. 

Good luck!

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

When I referred candidates at McKinsey or helped other coachees do it, the process was pretty standard: once the recruiter receives your resume and submits it in the system, you should receive an automated confirmation email. That means your referral is officially in the system.

From there, it’s screening time. A referral doesn’t guarantee you’ll be invited, but it does increase your chances — recruiters often review referred candidates more carefully (and with slightly softer filters).

If you don’t get that confirmation email within a week or two, follow up with the partner who referred you. It might just be a system delay, but better safe than sorry.

Best,

Alberto

Hey there! 

It can take 2-3 weeks to hear back. I would follow-up with the Partner, if you dont hear back within that timeframe. 

The decision will be heavily influenced by the Partner. If he says to the recruiter "this candidate is great, we should talk to her/him" you will get an interview. 

For more experienced candidates like yourself, the additional complication can be that number of roles at more senior levels are obviously fewer, hence it can take more time and considerations like industry expertise / client development goals etc. play a role (which do not come into play for junior hires). 

Hope that helps! 

-Andreas

Hi there,

After a partner referral, it can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to hear back — sometimes longer depending on the office and pipeline. For experienced hires, the process can be less structured and take a bit more time.

Feel free to follow up with the partner or recruiter if you haven’t heard anything after 1 week. I had experiences with recruiters forgetting to follow up, so it's good to keep reminding them.

Best,
Evelina

Hi,

Depends on the firm and office. 

At BCG, experienced hires are scouted and screened by the recruiting team, before entering the interview pipeline. At times they do get the partners to weigh in, but the process is owned by the recruiting team (because partners have no time to do these things and is not a valuable use of their time).

But, partners could also refer candidates to recruiting to start the process and tell recruiting that they want to interview this candidate.

Hello there,

Just one more thing: By “driving the process”, what people mean is organize / make sure you’re on track within the process. The decision makers here are: recruiter for the first part (CV assessment and Test evaluation), consultants for case and behavioral interviews.

Best,

Mari