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Do recruiters reply back if it is a no?

Advisory Final Round
New answer on Jan 20, 2021
12 Answers
940 Views
Anonymous A asked on Jan 19, 2021

Do recruiters get back to candidates after completing interviews when it is a no? Does that usually happen directly after in the interviews or say a month later? I am interested in this position, but want to see if I should forget about it and apply elsewhere or wait for it before doing so. Appreciate your advice on this matter.

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Anonymous B replied on Jan 19, 2021

The above advice is excellent - definitely go ahead and apply. This year the competition is fierce so is somewhat a 'numbers game'.

To add a candidate perspective - this year I've seen a big delay in replies/general speed of applications so don't be too alarmed. For the Big Four, I've had a month between stages. I'd definitely follow up regardless as there's no harm in giving them a nudge.

If you do get rejected, don't take it to heart. In my opinion, a company that lets you invest that much time and effort applying but can't get round to sending a template rejection email is not one worth working for.

Best of luck either way!

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Anonymous A on Jan 19, 2021

I just contacted HR, they said they are processing applications and will get back to me in 2 weeks. If it is a no, why don t they inform on the spot? If it is a yes, i understand they need time to place me, prepare the contract, etc

Anonymous B on Jan 19, 2021

I think quite a few companies are a) buying time to judge business need and b) have a lot of applications to get through. If it was a no you'd probably know by now. Take it as a 'maybe' and keep your eye out for other opportunities too :)

Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 19, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

If you already had an interview, you should definitely hear back from them.

Depending on the company this might take a while:

  • MBB: Usually very fast within a few days, in some offices, you might even leave with the offer on the same day
  • Other consulting firms: Similar, although a tad slower, up to two weeks sometimes
  • Industry: I have heard of cases of up to a month

As a rule of thumb, write HR after 1.5 weeks/ 2 weeks and ask about the status of your application. If you have a cross offer, ask them earlier.

Cheers,

Florian

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Denis
Expert
replied on Jan 19, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews
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Francesco
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Content Creator
replied on Jan 20, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

If you had interviews, a company normally always communicates the outcome. There may be exceptions but I would expect them to be rare and mainly not in consulting.

In any case, if you followup with HR for feedback they should reply.

Long waiting time is normally not a great sign. However I know cases of people who got offers after 3 weeks with holidays in between for 2nd Tiers (interviews in mid-December – offer beginning of January).

Definitely apply elsewhere as well in the meantime.

Best,
Francesco

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Ken
Expert
replied on Jan 19, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It would be extremely unprofessional for a firm to ask someone to interview and then not provide an answer but perhaps there are exceptions... In terms of timing, it really depends on the recruiting cycle and often the interviewer who is assigned to make the call. At McKinsey, interviewers were given a deadline until which they needed to call candidates to turn down or extend an offer. Naturally, many interviewers needed reminding by the recruiting team as the day job can be a distraction. My advice would be to continue pursuing other opportunities if you find ones of interest so that you aren't putting "all your eggs in one basket". Fingers crossed!

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Vlad
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replied on Jan 19, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Answering one of your comments below. The hiring decision is based on a consolidated opinion of multiple interviewers. Usually, it takes some time to collect feedbacks and get back. Moreover, if it is hard to come up with a decision due to different viewpoints - your interviewers might jump on a call to discuss.

Best

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Gaurav
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Content Creator
replied on Jan 19, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360 coach(Ex-McKinsey + Certified Coach + Active recruiter)

Hi there,

always apply to many places even if you are waiting for a response from your preferred company. It's better to have choices than to hope.

- Just read your update that you've contacted the HR. Fingers crossed for you!

Cheers,

GB

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Ian
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replied on Jan 19, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

First, you should always apply elsewhere.

Even if you get an interview invitation, you are by no means gaurenteed an offer.

Please please apply elsewhere ASAP.

That said, in general you should receive an automatic email rejection. However, these don't always come.

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Lukas
Expert
replied on Jan 19, 2021
BCG | PwC | LSE | 3+ years in Consulting |I get you ready for BCG

Hi

At which company did you have your interview? Did they mention something?

In general, you should definitely get at least a short feedback. If you don't hear back within 2 weeks of times I think it's only fair if you contact the recruiter and ask for the status of cour application.

Hope that helps.
Kind regards,
Lukas

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 19, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

As Ian said - always apply elsewhere.

Recruiters do reply but sometimes they don't for no - feel free to reach out to confirm. You might get a standard rejection email but it is better than not knowing at all

Udayan

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Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Jan 20, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Yes, they will let you know.

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous replied on Jan 20, 2021

Yes, you'll get a response. This can sometimes take some time as they'll need to get all the interviewers and HR into one room to align, and then the interviewer designated to call you might have a crunch for a few days. If you haven't heard after 2 weeks, get back to them.

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