Application ban

Hi,

you typically get a ban of 12-18 months after rejection, irrespective of the exact stage in the recruiting process where the rejection occurs. The timeframe is one year or more to give the candidates the chance to show significant development or “growth” compared to when they didn't pass the recruiting process. In order to add relevant stages to the CV, one requires some time for it to be actually feasible and impactful. Hence the indicated timing.

If the timeframe was not explicitly communicated to you, I would contact the recruiters after 12 months of the initial rejection to confirm whether you are cleared to apply again. 

Best

Hi there,

Q: Can you please provide ban period after which one can reapply again for the following MBB stages.

The ban is usually 12-18 months, regardless of the stage. Sometimes they might suggest a different period of time. The situations where I saw that happening are the following:

• Hiring freeze of the company. I know that in the past, in some countries, McKinsey stopped the hiring process and recommended applying again after 6 months.
• Good performance in a final round, close to the bar. Also in this case, sometimes they recommend applying after 6 months. 

If they have not indicated the exact period and would like clarification, you can either reach out to HR or ask the person who referred you when they would recommend applying again / if they can check with HR.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

The ban is usually 12 to 24 months, regardless of the stage of the application you have been rejected.

In order to shorten it AND make it more likely to be invited again you need to

1. demonstrate significant progress on your resume in 2 out of 4 areas (education, work experience, extracurriculars, time spent abroad)
2. get a referral to push your resume during screening.

All the best,

Florian

Regardless of where you get dinged in the process, it's around 1y for most offices. 

To be fully sure about the duration for your target office, check with the recruiter.

Also, it's important to know that this is not a fixed timeline i.e., number of days, but an approximate period. 

So if you feel you've improved your profile significantly in the meantime but you would still have 3-4 months left of the ban, reach out to the recruiters and ask if they could make an exception.

Best,
Cristian

Usual 12 months, unless they mention otherwise. 

Particularly if someone got to R2 (or if in the meantime you get a referral), they may be more flexible to shorten this timeframe.

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• The ban period for reapplying at consulting firms is typically between 12 and 24 months. This gives candidates sufficient time to enhance their profiles and experiences.

You can find more on this topic here: How to deal with a rejection from a consulting company.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

BCG:

- CV screening: 6 months

- Interviews: 1 year

Bain:

- 1 year

McKinsey:

- 1-2 years, varies by geographical location

All ban periods apply globally.