Hey All,
I recently interviewed on January 23rd for the first round of two for BCG experienced hire associate role. Right after the interview I received an offer at EY (non-consulting) which has a deadline of this upcoming Monday for my decision. The interview for BCG process would be for a role that would start around March/April. Should I reach out to the recruiter and how should I proceed?
Yes, you should reach out. This is a legitimate and common situation, and handling it transparently is viewed positively.
A few principles to keep in mind:
How to proceed:
Keep the tone factual and calm. Do not demand acceleration, and do not frame it as an ultimatum. Something along the lines of: you want to make an informed decision and would value guidance on timing.
Two important cautions:
Even if BCG cannot speed things up, you lose nothing by reaching out, and in many cases they will at least give you clarity on where you stand in the process.
This is standard experienced-hire behavior and will not hurt your candidacy if done professionally.
Yes, reach out to the recruiter. This is a normal situation and recruiters deal with it all the time. Keep it simple and professional. Let them know you have another offer with a deadline and ask if there's any way to get an update on your application or speed up the process.
Something like:
"Hi [Recruiter], I wanted to follow up on my first round interview on January 23rd. I've received another offer with a decision deadline this Monday. BCG remains my top choice and I wanted to check if there's any update on my application or if it's possible to expedite the process. Happy to provide any additional information if helpful."
Be honest but don't pressure them. You're asking, not demanding. If BCG is actually your top choice, say so. If not, be careful about how you frame it.
They may not be able to speed things up. If that happens, you'll have to decide whether to accept EY or risk losing it while waiting for BCG.
My suggestion:
If BCG is what you really want, it might be worth asking EY for a short extension on the deadline. A few extra days is a reasonable ask. That gives BCG more time to respond without you losing the EY offer completely.
But if you can't get an extension and BCG can't speed up, you'll have to make a choice. A guaranteed offer at EY versus waiting for a maybe at BCG. Only you can decide what's worth the risk.
This is a very common, and frustrating, conflict. The short answer is yes, you absolutely should reach out to the BCG recruiter, but you must manage your expectations on the outcome.
Here is the reality of the situation: Consulting firms, especially at the Experienced Hire level, almost never rush their internal evaluation or offer processes just because another firm gave you a deadline. The internal review, resource allocation, and final partner interviews require scheduled time that they won't compress over a weekend. Do not expect a final decision by Monday.
The purpose of your email is twofold: first, to signal that you are a competitive candidate who is actively receiving offers (this creates positive competitive tension), and second, to ask for clarity on the Round 2 schedule. Email the recruiter today and be professional and straightforward. Express your strong preference for the BCG role and state that you have received a time-sensitive offer from another respected firm with a deadline of Monday. Ask them if they can confirm your timeline for the second round of interviews, emphasizing that clarity on the next steps will help you manage your external deadlines responsibly.
If they respond by committing you to a Round 2 interview early next week, that strong signal may give you enough justification to ask EY for a 3-5 day extension. If BCG says they are "still finalizing resources" or gives you a generic answer, it means they are not prioritizing your timeline, and you need to proceed with the assumption that the EY offer is your immediate priority. You cannot turn down a concrete offer for an interview that might be three weeks away.
All the best!
hey there :)
Yes, definitely reach out to the BCG recruiter now. Briefly explain that you have a competing offer with a Monday deadline and ask politely whether they can share an update or accelerate the process. This is very common, especially for experienced hires, and will not hurt your chances. Happy to help you phrase the message if you want.
best,
Alessa :)
If you need BCG to move their process along more quickly so you can give an answer to EY, then reach out to the BCG recruiter and explain the situation. They often handle this and will try to prioritise your interviews.
Best,
Cristian
Yes, reach out to the recruiter! You want to make an informed decision!!!
