Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Case Partner

Can a firm cancel your offer before your start?

boutique firms cancelling offer offer tier2
New answer on Dec 31, 2020
7 Answers
1.5 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Nov 19, 2020

Hey guys,

I accepted recently an offer from a boutique/tier 2 company in europe to start as an analyst.

For various reasons, I asked to start in March which they accepted without issue. But given the current situation, I am worried that they may change their mind and cancel their offer at any time between now and march if their situation gets bad. On the legal side, I already signed my contract and everything but I'm not sure whether or not this covers me from getting "fired" before even starting.

So my question is : can my offer be cancelled? Can i do anything to prevent it?

Thanks in advance

(edited)

I want to be notified about updates regarding this question via email

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Adi
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Nov 19, 2020
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Hey,

If the contract is "unconditional" (i.e not subject to any checks, reference etc) & signed by both you and the employer, then its a legally binding contract of employment as per EU laws. A conditional offer can be withdrawn should you not meet any conditions laid out or if the market situation drastically changes and the role you were hired for is no longer alive. If not, it becomes a legal issue & you can sue.

I suggest you make yourself aware of the local employment laws in your country/region and keep in regular contact with the company and specially the manager who hired you.

All the best!

Was this answer helpful?
9
Book a coaching
Anonymous A on Nov 19, 2020

Dear Ali, thanks a lot for your answer. It really helps me a lot. It seems that even in the contract is "conditional" a fair reason shall be provided to terminate the contract. I'll follow your advice and try to get more information regarding the status of my contract and the local employment laws. Luckily enough, the HR of the firm are very nice and responsive. Thank you very much once again!

Best answer
Anonymous replied on Nov 19, 2020

Firms often include clauses in offers that make them conditional - things like Force Majeur (e.g. COVID), red flags in the background check (i.e. you lied on your CV) and sometimes even more broader reasons would allow them to terminate the contract in those cases. Read the offer and contract carefully for these type of claues.

Do you have any reason to believe they would try to do so?

Was this answer helpful?
9
Anonymous A on Nov 19, 2020

Thank you very much Henning for the advice. I don't think they would try to do so. They were extremely nice and patient during the entire process. So I don't think they would want to do that unless they get in an unconfortable situation because of the pandemic and the business isn't good enough to staff all of their consultant.
Vlad
Expert
 replied on Nov 19, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

As for MBBs - they would not do that. With Tier 2 it's a bit more complicated and I would be careful. Be ready at least that they might change the start date

Best

Was this answer helpful?
8
Book a coaching
Anonymous A on Nov 19, 2020

Thank you very much for the advice Vlad. It indeed seems safer to be careful. Regarding changing the start date, I saw on the forum than during Q2, some companies offered some compensation when they postponed the starting date. Do you know if it was rather generalized or only MBBs did it? Thank you once again. Best
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Nov 19, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Unfortunately, the very blunt answer is yes they can cancel your offer. They could also delay your start date (like MBB did).

This happened to a lot of people in Q1/Q2 last year. There have to be unprecendented circumstances (i.e. force majeur triggers), but, as you know, we have seen that.

Like with anything in life, don't count your chickens before they hatch

Sorry to be so blunt! You should be ok BUT you should always hope for the best and plan for the best. March is a long way away...make sure you're doing something while you "wait".

Was this answer helpful?
7
Book a coaching
Anonymous A on Nov 19, 2020

Thank you very much Ian. I really like your honesty. I prefer the full blunt truth rather than conforting sweet words as it allows me to prepare. Unfortunately i can't start earlier as i'm already staffed on a mission. I'll keep in touch with them every now and then. Thank you very much
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Nov 20, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It´s tricky to tell you without knowing the company, since it can vary a lot. Do you want to share? In MBB for instance or Big4, almost impossible, if so they can push a bit the start date.

Hope it helps!

Was this answer helpful?
7
Book a coaching
Anonymous A on Nov 20, 2020

Hi Clara thanks a lot for your answer. Well i would prefer to not disclose too much if possible but it's one of the main tier 2 company. I know that they are still recruiting but they decided to slow down the process apparently.
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Nov 30, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360 coach(Ex-McKinsey + Certified Coach + Active recruiter)

Hi there!

Honestly, they can, in cases when a candidate lied in a CV or if there are unexpected conditions.
I think that in your situation it is very unlikely because it seems like you agreed on all the details. I would recommend you to contact the HR manager and ask for all details.

Good luck!

Do you need any further help?

GB

Was this answer helpful?
1
Book a coaching
Anonymous A on Dec 11, 2020

Thanks for your answer Gaurav. I contacted the HR earlier to keep in touch and they told me that everything was fine and that they will not cancel my offer before the start.
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Dec 31, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I have never seen it from MBB. the only chance is to be postponed

Best

Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
1
Book a coaching

Related Articles

Top Consulting Firms

Which one should I choose?

Boutique Consulting Firms – Overview, Advantages and Salary

Boutique Consulting Firms

Related Cases

Expert case by Francesco

MBB Final Round Case - Smart Education

Style:
Interviewer-led (McKinsey style)
Topics:
Growth strategy, Market analysis, Market entry, New product Growth strategy, Market analysis
Rating:
4.6
Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadv ... Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many stude ... (Open whole case)
31.6k
Times solved
4.6
600+ Ratings
Advanced
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco

Bain 1st Round Case – BlissOttica

Style:
Candidate-led (usual style)
Topics:
Growth strategy, Market analysis, Market entry, Profitability analysis Growth strategy, Market analysis
Rating:
4.1
Our client is a BlissOttica, an Eyewear Manufacturer that is looking to reach a 10% increase in profits. How would you help our client? Our client is a BlissOttica, an Eyewear Manufacturer that is looking to reach a 10% increase in profits. How would you help our client? (Open whole case)
13.6k
Times solved
4.1
100+ Ratings
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco

BCG Case Style - Online Groceries [NEW]

Style:
Candidate-led (usual style)
Topics:
Market entry, Operations strategy Market entry, Operations strategy
Rating:
5.0
Our client is a supermarket chain that is considering whether they should enter the emerging online grocery delivery business where consumers order their groceries online and have them delivered to their homes. Currently, two competitors have entered the online market in the client's area in San Fra ... Our client is a supermarket chain that is considering whether they should enter the emerging online grocery delivery business where consumers order their groceries online and have them deliv ... (Open whole case)
8.0k
Times solved
5.0
< 100 Ratings
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco

Bain Case Style - Growth offensive at ChemCorp [NEW]

Style:
Candidate-led (usual style)
Topics:
Growth strategy, Market analysis Growth strategy, Market analysis
Rating:
4.0
Your client is the Performance Chemicals division (revenues of $500 million) of a Specialty Chemicals Company with total revenues of $14 billion. The CEO wants the company to become the fastest-growing specialty chemicals company and has therefore asked all the divisions to present growth strat ... Your client is the Performance Chemicals division (revenues of $500 million) of a Specialty Chemicals Company with total revenues of $14 billion. The CEO wants the company to become the fast ... (Open whole case)
8.0k
Times solved
4.0
< 100 Ratings
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco

BCG 1st Round Case – Water Flows [NEW]

Style:
Candidate-led (usual style)
Topics:
Growth strategy, Market analysis, Valuation Growth strategy, Market analysis
Rating:
4.3
Our client is a German-owned water provider company based in the southwest of the United States. As the biggest water provider in the region, they serve the majority of the southwest region.Profit growth has slowed down considerably in recent years, and the company is finding it difficult to co ... Our client is a German-owned water provider company based in the southwest of the United States. As the biggest water provider in the region, they serve the majority of the southwest re ... (Open whole case)
7.6k
Times solved
4.3
< 100 Ratings
Intermediate
Difficulty

Similar Questions

Top tier/tier2/tier3 consulting firms??

27 answers

Taking annual leave during a strategy consulting internship (UK)

9 answers

T2 Consulting or Big4 Strategy Specialization Unit

8 answers

Related Articles

Top Consulting Firms

Which one should I choose?

Boutique Consulting Firms – Overview, Advantages and Salary

Boutique Consulting Firms

Similar Questions

Top tier/tier2/tier3 consulting firms??

27 answers

Taking annual leave during a strategy consulting internship (UK)

9 answers

T2 Consulting or Big4 Strategy Specialization Unit

8 answers
Cookie and Privacy Settings
This website uses cookies to enable essential functions like the user login and sessions. ... (Read more) We also use cookies and third-party tools to improve your surfing experience on preplounge.com. You can choose to activate only essential cookies or all cookies. You can always change your preference in the cookie and privacy settings. This link can also be found in the footer of the site. If you need more information, please visit our privacy policy.
Data processing in the USA: By clicking on "I accept", you also consent, in accordance with article 49 paragraph 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR, to your data being processed in the USA. The USA is not considered to have adequate data protection legislation. If you need more information please view the individual settings.
I accept
Manage settings individually
Questions or Feedback?
Select category
  • Select category
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Coaching
  • Technical Problems
  • Other
Your name
Your email address
Cancel