Full time hiring and COVID-19

Hello!

At this point, the situation is evolving so fast that it´s difficult to predict, since the situation changes day after day.

Logic sais that, as well as clients are slowing down... so will consulting companies. This will inevitbly lead to a slow-down in hiring -but not a total freeze, as there was not a total freeze after the fall of Lehman-.

For people who are currently in the recruiting process, as per what I am seeing with my coachees, interviews are not being cancelled. They are either being posponed (with a determined date, not in an undefined way) or they are being shifted to video-conference.

Hence, if you are already in the process, don´t worry, they will touch base with you and inform you of the changes -if any-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi Anonymous,

Recruiting activity for McK already slowed down in Europe but it's not a complete freeze - but I don't see any issue in just calling and asking!

Robert

Hi Anonymous,

according to the candidates I am currently helping, consulting companies are still recruiting, although many of them are now doing video calls and not coming on campus. I would assume recruiting will continue unless the situation gets significantly worst, although the number of hired people may decrease in absolute terms.

Best,

Francesco

Hi! I've seen a slow-down in recruiting, but not a stop. So, shall be going per schedule. But for sure reach out to HR and ask – it doesn't hurt.

Hi,
unfortunately, nobody now is able to predict the precise effects on each business. The 2 true facts today are that interviews are taking place regularly but online instead than face to face, and that many new consulting projects are being paused. Therefore if this lockdown continues for long it can cause a shrinking in new hires.

However, feel free to call/email HR without worrying about bothering them: they are there to help.

Best,
​Antonello

Hey A,

The current situation from the hiring prospective in consulting is not that bad as it seems to be. It’s true that many firms worldwide (Asia, Middle East, Europe and North America) are slowing down their recruiting practices, but they are not freezing them.

First the companies simply need some time to adequately react to the situation and adapt.

This will have the following consequences for you:

1. The whole process will probably be a bit delayed and might take longer than usual
2. Instead of interviews in person everything will be switched to online – so keep on practicing skype interviews!

In this situation I would recommend You to write an email to HR saying that you understand the current challenging situation and asking about next steps (when and how your interviews will take place).

I hope it helps.

Good luck!

André

Hello,

No one can really know about the new hiring targets until we won't see which will be the impact of the corona virus on the economy. So far consulting companies are trying to move forward with the hiring process using the videocalls.
Anyway, even if a global crysis doesn't mean that you don't have projects (think about cost cutting or restructuring process and about all business plans that have to be reviewd) it's likely that they will slow down (but not freeze) the recruitments until they won't understand what is the real impact of the corona virus.

Best,
Luca