Hello,

They're just trying to understand how quickly they need to move. Perhaps they have a strong interest in you but are waiting on a few more candidates to go through the final round, but don't want you to get “poached” by another firm in the meantime. I agree with the other experts here that you can feel free to be honest, and that there's no downside to you in this.

Hi there,

I agree with Udayan, - they just need to understand how quickly they need to move.

Be honest and clarify that you do have interviews lined up with a few other firms. Don't forget to restate/reassure your interest in the current company.

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on passing both rounds with your potential future employer!

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I'm happy to give you my perspective on that:

• Generally speaking, there are various reasons why candidates are asked whether they are in the application process with other consulting companies or have already received offers from those. You cannot really tell why, and in contrast to what other coaches said, being overtly transparent is not necessarily an advantage.
• The most common reason is that consulting companies want to increase their chances of you accepting their offer. Thus, you most probably have made quite a good impression, congratulations on that!
• However, and here I refer to what I said before, in case you are a doubtful case where not everybody of the decision committee is convinced about your performance and fit, stating that you already have offers from competing consulting companies might as well encourage them to give you a rejection. This is a situation I have been part of several times now and I simply want to sensitize you to it.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on the potential offer negotiation and preparation for your career entry, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen

(editiert)

Hey! There are multiple reasons why they want to know, but my overall advice is to be honest. It definitely helps to actually have other offers, because it's a good signaling mechanism for them of your value. 

But the practical reason of why they want to know is to increase their chances of you accepting their offer. So if you do say you've got other interviews or offers they will either accelerate the recruitment process or actually squeeze you to accept their offer faster before you have offers from other companies. The latter happened to me with a Tier 2 company once they heard I was approaching final round with McKinsey. They basically required that I answer the offer in a couple of days even though I asked for a week. I ended up refusing their offer, which was risky because I had no other offers at that time and if I would've failed McK then there was nothing to cling on. So just bear that in mind :)

Most likely they're trying to get a sense of how soon they need to get back to you. Be honest and let them know you're applying to other firms. If this firm is your top choice let them know that and say you're very keen to take a role if offered.