Timing of my applications: should I apply now or wait?

Question

Hi everyone,

I’ve been preparing for my consulting interviews for a few weeks and had originally planned to submit my applications by the end of October. However, I’m starting to feel that I might need a bit more time to polish my skills and improve my case performance.

My concern is about timing; if I delay my application, will I risk being pushed into the next recruiting cycle and only get interviews next year? Do firms (like MBB & tier 2) still conduct interviews in November and December, or does recruiting usually slow down toward the end of the year?

Also, would it make sense to reach out to HR or recruiting teams directly to ask about their specific timelines?

I’d really appreciate any insights or personal experiences about application timing.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Answer 1

If you're aiming for MBB or T2, it's usually best to apply when you're truly ready — especially if this is your first real shot. You want to put your best foot forward.

That said, recruiting doesn’t completely shut down in November/December, but it does slow down — many firms have filled most of their priority slots by then. If you're borderline ready, it’s totally fine to wait and aim for the next cycle (early next year). You’ll perform better and increase your chances of converting.

What you can do in the meantime is test the waters with a few boutiques or smaller firms — see how your case performance holds up in real interviews, and use that feedback to sharpen your game.

Reaching out to recruiters to ask about timelines never hurts and rarely looks bad on you.

Hope this helps and please upvote if you find it helpful.

Regards,

Kevin

Answer 2

Hi there,

If you are an experienced hire (not following campus timeline), then usually it is on a rolling bases (not a cycle). Recruiting could be a bit slow in December, due to the holiday season (harder to get time slots from interviewers) instead of a specific cycle.

In general, I would recommend taking the needed time to prepare well. It is better to be slower but sure, than rushing it with high risk.

Best,

Emily

Answer 3

Hi there,

Recruiting does slow down toward the end of the year, but firms still run interviews in Nov/Dec depending on office and role. If you feel you’d benefit from a bit more prep, it’s usually better to apply when you’re ready rather than rushing. Timelines aren’t always uniform, so reaching out to HR/recruiters to check specifics for your target office is a good idea.