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Response time HR

Hello everyone,

I've received reapplication offers from two MBB companies for this year and expressed my interest via email. However, I've been waiting for a response for over three weeks. Is it appropriate to send a follow-up email, or is this response time considered normal?

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Profile picture of Cristian
on Dec 06, 2023
Most Awarded Coach on the platform | Ex-McKinsey | 88% verified success rate

Hi!

Great to hear you're reapplying. 

Three weeks is not problematic, unless they communicated a deadline by which they should've answered. 

If I were you though, I would reach out with an email latest end of next week. Hopefully, you reach them before the holidays. 

Also, make sure that you apply to other firms as well. Do try to diversify as much as you can. Sharing a resource with the sort of principles you should have in mind when putting together an application:


Good luck!
Cristian

Profile picture of Alberto
Alberto
Coach
on Dec 10, 2023
Ex-McKinsey AP | Professional MBB Coach | +13yrs experience | +2,000 real interviews | +150 offers

Hi there,

Response delays from recruiting are normal during the end of the year as they are under the water.

In any case, 3 weeks is more than enough to do a follow up with both firms to check next steps.

You can also check how the recruiting process works from an internal MBB perspective here: 

MBB Hiring Hacks - Behind the Curtain Secrets

Best,

Alberto

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Profile picture of Moritz
Moritz
Coach
on Dec 14, 2023
Ex-McKinsey Interviewer | Deep McKinsey expertise with engaging prep that turns nerves into confidence and into offers

Hi there,

First of all, this is good news!

Is it appropriate to send a follow-up email, or is this response time considered normal?

These two things are not mutually exclusive. From my point of view, the (non-)response time is still reasonable, but there's nothing preventing you from writing a friendly follow-up email after three weeks.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Moritz

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Profile picture of Ian
Ian
Coach
on Dec 06, 2023
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

After 3 weeks it's appropriate to send a follow-up.

Better yet, reach out to the person who referred you to see if they can see if there's an update (always good to have that person on the inside nudge the recruiting team)

Profile picture of Francesco
on Dec 07, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: I've been waiting for a response for over three weeks. Is it appropriate to send a follow-up email?

After 3 weeks it is fine to follow up with HR.

Good luck!

Francesco

Profile picture of Frederic
on Dec 06, 2023
ex A. Partner McKinsey |Senior Interviewer| Real Feedback & Free Homework between sessions|Harvard Coach|10+ Experience

Hi there, what was your question to them? Why do you not just apply again? They will see in internal systems stat you are a reapplicant. Best of luck! Freddy

Anonymous
on Dec 06, 2023
Hi Frederic, thank you for your message. I asked them about the re-application process since the previous recruiter told me that they might use a different process (since I already passed the online tests). I wanted to make sure that I didn’t got an auto-ban from the process since I previously applied in the same year.
Anonymous A
on Dec 06, 2023
And last time I got a referral, so I asked a question to ask whether my referral still got his bonus if I got accepted this time around.
Profile picture of Frederic
on Dec 06, 2023
ex A. Partner McKinsey |Senior Interviewer| Real Feedback & Free Homework between sessions|Harvard Coach|10+ Experience
Ok thanks for the clarification, fair question and 3 weeks too long of a wait. I'd try to call and if no success go ahead with normal application.
Profile picture of Dennis
Dennis
Coach
on Dec 06, 2023
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|9+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi,

if it was a question you really need their feedback on, then it is appropriate to follow up. Three weeks is a long time to not hear back and at this point your inquiry likely got overlooked. 

Best

Profile picture of Pedro
Pedro
Coach
on Dec 06, 2023
BAIN | EY-P | Most Senior Coach @ Preplounge | Former Principal | FIT & PEI Expert

While waiting 3 weeks is within the normal range, it is also perfectly acceptable that you reach out to them and ask about current status.