MBB to be inflexible with starting date

Question

Hello!

After a successful interview process, I landed a junior consultant position offer from a European MBB office. However, the excitement quickly turned to despair once I was told that my previously communicated preferred starting date (in 8 months) will not work for them and the only possible starting date in this office is in 2 months. No detailed explanation was given as to why is this the case.

Due to personal reasons and other commitments, I am not able to start this early. After elaborating on this, I was given the choice to either take the offer with the early starting date or walk away from the offer.

Is this non-flexibility with regards to starting dates a common practice at MBBs? Has anyone encountered such a thing? My close peers applying to other MBB offices were taken by surprise by this. I'm wondering what's behind if this is not a common practice.

Thanks,
Peter

Answer 1

Hi,

It's very common that you get a later starting date but then they ask you to start earlier. I think it's absolutely here. the company has business needs. Moreover - I don't know any other employer who is as flexible with a start date as MBB. Thus, it's just a question of managing the expectations.

Answer 2

Wow, that is quite unusual but it does occasionally happen in smaller offices where headcount and start dates have much less flexibility. I'm sure the current COVID pandemic and uncertainty is not helping too.

How transparently have you shared your personal circumstances? It's hard to say without knowing details but if your constraints are resonable, I'm sure there is a work around.

Answer 3

Hi Peter,

This is very unusual indeed and most of the times firms accomodate such requests. Unless you have other comparable options or your situation mandates prioritsation, your starting position must be: I cant let go of this offer.

So, what can you do. Consider these:

Be very open about your situation and get their empathy. Show them how excited you are join the team but are constrained by your situation to start early. Talk on phone to both HR and partner
Come to a middle ground i.e. start in 4 months & not 2..can you make this happen?
Can you start early but then take a break in lets say 3-4 months to focus on your situation

The idea is to come up with options from your end and put them forward to HR and Partner as required. Make it easy for them to act. This is negotiation 101. You dont want to be rigid. Focus on win-win.

Good luck and hope this works out for you smoothly.

Answer 4

Hi,

Normally the Firm want you to start as soon as possible, having said that, starting date usually is not a make or break and 99% of the time they can accomodate. I even found some extreme cases where it is being delayed 1 year later.

Would it be possible for you to clarify what is the reason behind the strict requirement? Try to have a video call conversation as this is quite uncommon.

Answer 5

Hi Peter,

It is indeed a very unusual practice. If you already tried discussing it with the HR and they showed no interest in finding a middle ground, I don't see any other choice as walking away from it. At this point, I would really be thinking that there is a better position for me elsewhere.

Good luck with any decision you make!

GB

Answer 6

Hello!

Sorry to hear about that, it must be quite taught to find yourself there after all the fight.

I sounds very very unusual to me to.

Do you know someone internally who can help you negotiate with HR?

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 7

Hi Peter,

I'm really sorry to hear this!

While it's uncommon, it's not unheard of. Remember that afterall you''re working for them...if they need people now but not later, that's their prerogative. They likely have a spot to fill and intend to fill it now (with you or their 2nd choice).

Sorry to say, but you have to take it or leave it :/