Estimated interview timelines?

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, and contrary to what other coaches have said, I feel it is very meaningful to also get an understanding of the procedural side of application processes, even if it should not be the center of your considerations.
• On average, I would assume about 2-3 weeks between the pre-interview assessment and the first-round interviews, and about 3-4 weeks between the first and second-round interviews. Though there will often be a maximum of a week between the second-round interviews and the offer (e.g., with Bain, in many countries, you are handed the offer even at the end of your second-round interviews). As such, you can anticipate something between 6-8 weeks for the entire application process.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi,

building on what others said (e.g. Ian)

1) Typical / normal timeline: couple of months application to offer

This timeline could be longer due to  

a) Delay on candidate side (e.g. delaying interviews to better prepare at the beginning)

b) Delay on the hiring firm side: rarer - they have objectives to steady process certain volumes of applicants. Could only be due to excessive workload vs. office HR teams. Happened to a couple of my candidates

Hope this helps

I would say between 1-3 months - if there is not a macro economic backdrop laced with recession fears. Then it could take longer (or even hiring freeze)

As an example, in the US we had campus recruiting for the target schools each fall. Info event was late September/early October, first round interviews were later in October, second round sometime in November, offers were out in December. This was more of a strict schedule.

In other geographies where you have year-round recruiting, it could take longer based on how much of their hiring budget has already been spent etc.

The short answer should be 1-2 months.

The long and detailed one: it can vary depending on a number of factors, including the volume of applications, the availability of interviewers, and the complexity of the recruitment process. However, here is a rough estimate of the typical timelines:

Online Assessment to First Round: The time between completing an online assessment and the first round of interviews is typically 1-2 weeks. However, it can sometimes take longer if there are a large number of applicants to process.

First Round to Second Round: If the candidate is successful in the first round, the second round of interviews usually takes place within 1-2 weeks. However, this can vary depending on the availability of the interviewer and the candidate's schedule.

Second Round to Offer: The time between the second round of interviews and the offer can vary widely. Some candidates may receive an offer within a few days, while others may have to wait several weeks. In general, it takes an average of 1-2 weeks to receive an offer after the final interview round.

It's worth noting that these timelines can vary depending on the specific office and practice area that the candidate is applying to. Additionally, some firms may have additional rounds of interviews or assessments, which can prolong the recruitment process.

I hope it helps

Hi there,

Between applying and an offer you're talking about a couple of months on average. Between each stage 1-3 weeks.

Please shift your mindset to being objective-driven

I believe you're asking this question to plan your prep. So, just ask that!

The answer is: You should be about 80% case ready before you submit the application.