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Cooldown period after decline McKinsey

What is the regular cooldown period after a decline at McKinsey (at final rounds, as an experienced hire)? Would this period be any different if referred by a partner?

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Top answer
Jacopo
Coach
edited on Dec 01, 2017
Project leader BCG, Bain and A.T. Kearney / 200+ real interviews

Hi,

We have previously addressed a similar question here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/questions-regarding-the-waiting-period-after-a-mbb-application-1072#a2064

As a general rule, the ‘reject re-apply’ period lasts for ~1.5/2 years.

I am pretty sure that being referred by a partner would not help as he would go against the feedback that his colleagues (partner colleagues) have given about your interviews.

Having said that, I don’t know the detail about your personal case but if you do have a direct connection with a partner and you have a close relationship with him, I would suggest explaining him your situation and why you got rejected to see if he can help you somehow. I am sure he can give you great advice and you can always re-contact him once the freeze period has passed.

If you do not have a close relationship with him, I would highly recommend you to avoid asking him to be a reference during the reject re-apply period.

I hope this helps,

Best of luck,

Jacopo

Deleted
Coach
on May 30, 2018
Ex CAPCO/BCG Consultant. Specialize in Market Sizing
Originally answered question: When should I reapply?

Which Office are you applying to? It depends on the office

on Apr 20, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Originally answered question: Re apply time

Hi Anonymous,

the standard reapplication time in MBB is 2 years. If your performance was borderline, you may also be able to reapply in a shorter period of time (usually 6 months or 1 year), if that’s the case they would have to communicate it explicitly though.

Best,

Francesco

Deleted
Coach
on Apr 24, 2018
Originally answered question: Re apply time

Hi anonymous,

At least in London, I know several people that were rejected in 2016 that reapplied (and received offers) in 2017 from MBB. However, these were recent university graduates so it may be different for experienced hires.

The best (and only) way to be sure is to email/call the recruiting/HR team from the companies to check.

Deleted
Coach
on Sep 26, 2020
Professional full-time coach|50+ happy clients in 12 months|Ex Roland Berger PM & Recruiter|Networking to get interviews

Hi A,

It mainly depends on the office, but the standard freeze period you need to wait to reapply is 1-2 years.

You can clear that with HR for your particular situation.

P.S.: Make sure to improve your professional experience and networking, so when reapplying the firm sees your growth and potential.

Best,

André

on Mar 25, 2017
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Originally answered question: How soon can I reapply?

Hi Anonymous,

You can usually reapply after 2 years to MBB; sometimes they let you reapply after one year, but they normally mention that in the feedback when giving you the rejection.

In order to increase your chances to get an offer you should:

  1. Leverage or build a network of consultants in MBB, to maximize the chance of getting a referral when applying again and thus maximize your chances to get a new interview.
  2. Understand what you did wrong in the case interview and practice on that particular area. Candidates tend to think about cases as a whole thing, but it is likely you have to improve on specific areas, while you may be already strong in others (fit, structuring at the beginning of the case, graph interpretation, communication, math, final recommendation, etc).
  3. Prepare a strong answer on how you improved since the last interview (they will for sure ask you that question).

At the following link you can also find a recent post I wrote on the main factors that could have an impact when switching from a consulting firm to MBB:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/from-accenture-to-mbb-491

Hope this helps,
Francesco

Vlad
Coach
on Dec 11, 2017
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Originally answered question: Reject-reapply time

Hi,

Depending on how powerful the partner is and how much he will be willing to help you. I've seen different cases.

Otherwise, I would recommend waiting until it will be at least a year after the first application

Best

 
on Dec 11, 2017
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Originally answered question: Reject-reapply time

Hi Anonymous,

it is rare to have a change in the waiting time, at least if the other office is in the same country. If you are in a good relationship with the partner, I would suggest to wait at least 6 months and ask him a feedback directly (since you have to mention anyway that you got rejected once, that should not make a difference in terms of his personal impression), following then what he suggests. Doing so, you will also need a clear explanation of how you improved in the meantime on the points you received as feedback when rejected.

Best,

Francesco

on Apr 20, 2018
Originally answered question: Re apply time

I believe the fixed re-apply time is 18 months - for McK I am certain this is the case, and I assume BCG/Bain are about the same. If you have 6 years industry experience, you may want to consider an MBA as a path into consulting.

2
on May 29, 2018
Originally answered question: When should I reapply?

I think you should apply, even if BCG is THE place you wanna work with. At the least regular real interviews uncover deeper insights into our strengths. 

2
Vlad
Coach
on May 29, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Originally answered question: When should I reapply?

Hi,

You can call the local office and talk to HR. HR will give you the best advice on the specific dates since it's their job and they have all up to date information

Best!

on Aug 31, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching
Originally answered question: Re apply time

Hi, the ban usually last 12-18 months, depending on the firm and the geography

Best,
Antonello

Deleted user
Coach
on Jun 02, 2018
Originally answered question: When should I reapply?

As other suggested, I would strongly suggest to apply but to have conversations with recruiting before submitting your application online so they know it’s coming and why you apply now and flag it appropriately so it doesn’t get discarded automatically.

hope it helps,

andrea

1
edited on Sep 05, 2021
Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor
Originally answered question: How soon can I reapply?

Deleted
Coach
on Dec 01, 2017
Very experienced ex-McKinsey consultant with cross-country expertise

2 years. Not less than that. 

A partner cannot change it. Even a senior partner, I believe. 

Anonymous B
on Dec 11, 2017
Originally answered question: Reject-reapply time

Thanks both.

More context:

1. This would be a different continent entirely and a different service line.

2. Regarding feedback to improve on, none was given, rather than you are not the right fit for us at this time. This was a final round interview.

0
Deleted
Coach
on Feb 24, 2018
NOT AVAILABLE
Originally answered question: Reject-reapply time

Hey anonymous,

Being in a different country/continent might not change the picture of the waiting time, however if it's a specific position/role (which I'm tempted to assume it's the case as you say it's a different service line) and you have a Partner willing to support you, I don't think you will lose anything in trying. Worst case scenario: you will get a no, but that's also what you have guarantee if you don't try!

best

Bruno

Deleted
Coach
on Jun 02, 2018
Google Product Manager | Ex- BCG Consultant | References Available
Originally answered question: When should I reapply?

In addition to the above, I would also suggest networking and trying to get a referral. Check the alumni network for your Master's program or any friends and family.

I personally worked with someone who was rejected and then applied the following year through a referral and got the job. He as a great consultant too!

Deleted
Coach
on Aug 29, 2020
Professional full-time coach|50+ happy clients in 12 months|Ex Roland Berger PM & Recruiter|Networking to get interviews
Originally answered question: Re apply time

Dear A,

Applying again through the referral doesn't make sense within the next 12-18 months when your profile is frozen.

Also in that case I would strongly recommend using someone's referral to get your profile on the top of the pile and increase your chances of being invited again.

Hope it helps,

Wish you best of luck,

Andrè

Deleted
Coach
on Sep 25, 2020
Professional full-time coach|50+ happy clients in 12 months|Ex Roland Berger PM & Recruiter|Networking to get interviews
Originally answered question: How soon can I reapply?

Dear A,

Applying again through the referral doesn't make sense within the next 12-18 months when your profile is frozen. However, afterwards, I would recommend you to re-apply only through the referral. As for now, just focus on other firms. 

Best,

André

Deleted
Coach
edited on Sep 26, 2020
Professional full-time coach|50+ happy clients in 12 months|Ex Roland Berger PM & Recruiter|Networking to get interviews
Originally answered question: Reject-reapply time

Hi A,

I would wait a year at least and then reapply.

As the office is on another continent, the time of waiting might not change significantly.

However, you can give it a shot. What are you losing, anyway?

Best,

André

Gaurav
Coach
on Oct 28, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi A,

Unfortunately, even a partner can't change anything about the freeze period. You will have to wait approximately 1-2 years, depending on what office and what region you applied to.

I recommend you get the information about the length of the ban period from HR.

During the time when you can't reapply, you can work on upgrading your profile to make it look a better fit for McK next time.

Do you need any further help?

Gaurav
Coach
on Oct 31, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)
Originally answered question: Reject-reapply time

Hi Anonymous,

Generally, unfortunately, you cannot reapply until the ban period is over. This may vary depending on a particular firm/office but usually not less than a year.

So better think now about how you can use this time to upgrade your profile before reapplying after a year.

Do you need any further help?
GB

Clara
Coach
on Oct 31, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Usual ban is 12-18 months

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