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Going for an alternative job

interviews McKinsey McKinsey & Company
New answer on May 11, 2021
6 Answers
713 Views
Anonymous A asked on May 08, 2021

Hey guys, I have a final interview at Willis towers Watson (HR consulting) this week, and if everything works out well, they will send me the offer in a few days.

But the problem is I have McKinsey interviews in July, and I would definitely choose McKinsey over WTW, but McKinsey is still not guaranteed of course as I still have to pass all the interviews.

So my options are:

1- Go for the risky option and decline the WTW offer and hope to get McKinsey offer

2- Go the safer option, and go with WTW and leave them when I have the Mckinsey offer (and stay with them if I dont)

As for the 2nd option, it is much safer of course but I'm afraid during the McKinsey interviews to show that I will be leaving a company after 1-2 months of joining which might be a red sign (is it?) but on the other side I will be working in a good HR consulting company If i didn't receive the McKinsey offer

So what do you guys think I should do? are there any other options?

(I will not be able to make McKinsey interviews earlier as, to be honest I'm not ready yet for the interviews, currently preparing early stages)

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Francesco
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Content Creator
replied on May 09, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Option 1 doesn’t really make sense. Rationally, you cannot refuse an offer with the hope to get another one. I understand it is not great, but between the two your only real option is the second.

It won’t be a red sign for McK if you already started with another company a few months before – if asked, you can explain that you applied before getting the WTW offer and for personal reasons could not anticipate the interview.

If it makes sense in your case, you may also propose WTW to start after your theoretical final with McK – in this way you won’t have to start with them and leave right after that in case of a McK offer.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

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Antonello
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replied on May 09, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I would definitely accept the offer if it is a firm you like and in case a McK offer will arrive you can skip there. It is the standard

Best,
Antonello

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Ian
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replied on May 09, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Take the offer. Then interview with McK in July.

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Adi
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replied on May 09, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Option 2! McK may or may not happen. So unless your circumstances justify the risk, take the job and quit later if McK comes through. They wouldnt care to be honest.

All the best.

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Florian
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replied on May 10, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Agree with everyone else here --> definitely go for option 2.

The key challenge will be to get an effective preparation in while being employed with WTW.

Cheers,

Florian

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Clara
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Content Creator
replied on May 11, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Option 1 does not make any sense :)

Go with option 2, this happens constantly in the real world! Furthermore, McK most likely won´t know about you working with the other company for two months by then (don´t put it on Linkedin, and they will have an older version of the CV)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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