That is very unlikely to happen. For three reasons.

• They would need to sponsor a VISA
• NY may not need an extra-resource, and would probably prefer to get a say in the people they get in their office.
• You are very junior at this point. More junior means that the value add you bring is not very differentiated, and also that you bring more risk (e.g. you may change your mind, be there just for 12 months, more difficult to argue to get the visa)… doesn't make much sense to invest the effort.

The fact is that by trying to negotiate this you will be showing the immaturity of applying to an office, and then using an offer to try to get into an office you didn't apply to… Doesn't really improve your chances.

And the office that hired you will be bothered as well. You will degrade your personal brand. So no, don't do it.

Hi,

congratulations on having a “luxury problem”.

In general I would say that you should try to ask Bain for your “ideal setup” if you have a preference to accepting the McK offer otherwise - because you have nothing to lose if they say no.

If I understand you correctly though, you have a Bain offer for a European office but you would only want to join their NY office?
Assuming that is the case, then the chances are very slim that this will happen. Because the offices are in two different regions with different P&Ls and different management teams. The recruiting process is separate and the business needs are different. These offers are usually specific to an office/country and not fungible on an international scale. Plus if you don't have a work permit for the US, you will need visa sponsorship which opens up a whole different can of worms.

If you are EU based and you want to work in the US, a viable option is to join either M or B you have the offer for and try to transfer internally after having been with the respective firm for 2 years and having performed well.

Best of luck

Hello! Congratulations on receiving offers from both McKinsey and Bain in a coveted European office. It's great to hear that you are considering your options and exploring the possibility of transferring to the NY office. While it can be challenging to secure a transfer at the offer stage, it's worth discussing your interest with the recruiters and exploring the potential opportunities.

Here's how I would approach it:

Express your interest: Reach out to the recruiters at Bain and express your enthusiasm for joining the firm. Mention that while you were initially more inclined towards McKinsey, you have reconsidered and are now interested in exploring the possibility of transferring to the NY office.

Leverage the competing offer: Highlight the fact that you have received an offer from McKinsey as well. This can demonstrate your value as a candidate and potentially open up discussions about the possibility of a transfer.

Be open to additional interviews: If the recruiters express interest in exploring a transfer, be prepared to go through additional interviews or assessments. This is to ensure that you are the right fit for the NY office and to assess your skills and capabilities.

Showcase your motivation: Clearly articulate why you are interested in transferring to the NY office. Highlight any relevant experiences, connections, or personal reasons that make this move compelling for you. This will help the recruiters understand your motivations and assess your fit for the NY office.

It's important to note that the availability of transfer opportunities can vary depending on the specific circumstances and needs of the firm. While it may be challenging to secure a transfer at the offer stage, it's worth exploring the possibility and having a conversation with the recruiters.

I agree with my peers - hiring is done by each office separately and they don't want to lose you, so I won't play that game. If I were in your shoes, I'd consider seeking advice from consultants at both McKinsey and Bain in your country about the feasibility of transferring to the NY office.

In the Paris office, requesting a transfer after one year is an option, though not immediate. It tends to be a straightforward process without the requirement to rank among the top 10%. In contrast, at BCG, I've heard that securing a place in NY can be more competitive.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Hi there,

Congratulations on the two offers! In terms of your question:

Q: Do you think that this late into the recruitment process there would be such an opportunity, and if so, how would you approach it?

It is quite difficult to change offices before even starting. 

However, if you have decided you would reject the Bain offer anyway, you have nothing to lose by asking. Worst case, they will say no and you can join McKinsey, given you prefer that option anyway. You can then try to move to another McKinsey office after 1-2 years in Europe.

Good luck!

Francesco

I would not recommend asking for a transfer at this stage. Hiring is done by each office based on their demand for work etc and it would be very unusual for them to transfer you before even starting. The other issue is that the huge slowdown in the industry has meant that demand is low in general so they may not even have space for you for a couple of years.

once you start and especially if you’re a very strong performer then office transfers are much easier to do. 

Hi there,

Congrats on 2 MBB offers - wow!

You can absolutely try to negotiate on “anything”. Keyword here is try. Flag the other offer, tell them they're your preference, but only if you can transfer. Be polite/courteous and tell them you're sorry to even ask as you know it's mostly against policy, but that'd you'd prefer to be upfront with them about intentions so that they can make an informed decision.

Agree with Pedro here! Warm regards, Freddy

Wow, that's a nice problem to have. 

I also scratched my Porsche with my Rolex this morning. Really awful day ;)

Joke aside, congrats on the offers! That's an amazing achievement and a clear sign that you were an excellent candidate in the recruitment process.

To answer your question, I would be really really surprised if they were willing to change the office for you. I have yet to hear of such cases, especially when they involve moving across different regions (with Bain it would be even harder than with McK because Bain is more ‘office-centric’). 

Typically, office transfers become an ‘unlock' 2-3 years after you've been in the firm and when you have a strong track record. Before that it's a bit problematic. 

If you'd rather take the McKinsey offer anyway, then do drop the question to Bain. Then share the result with us. I'd be curious to hear what they said. 

Best,
Cristian