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Graduate job offer but delayed graduation

Job offer recent graduate
New answer on Oct 31, 2023
8 Answers
1.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Oct 29, 2023

Hi experts, i have received a graduate job offer from a large company in london i was interning there and internally got a return offer only 10 of 25 interns got the offer But due to some issues i won’t be graduating from university as expected i am now planning to finish my degree online while working at the firm! i will finish degree during 1st year of my job! I have no option here but this! Will this lead to rescinding my grad offer?

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Cristian
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replied on Oct 30, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Not at all. 

But if I were you I wouldn't go for this option. Or at least I wouldn't accept this as the only way of doing this. 

The main thing I'd try is to negotiate with your employer to postpone the offer until next year (i.e., postpone the actual starting date). 

Most firms would be happy to do this since they are already finding themselves overstaffed, so I would expect the conversation to be rather smooth.

Then you could focus on your last year of university having the certainty that the offer will be waiting for you. 

Best,

Cristian

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Anonymous A on Oct 30, 2023

Thanks for the reply Before all this when i accepted the offer i asked if we can differ offer to next year they said as hiring can change next year we cannot differ the offer!

Francesco
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replied on Oct 29, 2023
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Hi there,

Q: I will finish degree during 1st year of my job! I have no option here but this! Will this lead to rescinding my grad offer?

This depends on the company's criteria/requirements for hiring. I would recommend reaching out to HR to explain the situation; most likely, they will try to accommodate if they can.

Good luck!

Francesco

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Ian
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replied on Oct 30, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Please communicate this to HR. You don't have a choice now…

It's unlikely they will be ok with you studying while working. As such, they may delay your start date.

Additionally, check your contract…there may be a clause in there regarding graduation.

I hope the reason you're not graduating isn't due to poor grades? It's not uncommon for offers to be conditional on you maintaining a certain grade average.

Regardless, again, please check your specific contract AND check with HR.

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Anonymous A on Oct 30, 2023

Thanks for the reply! I did not sign the contract yet i was offered the job while interning with them after a thorough assessment They actually accept people from any degree and backgrounds if we have potential and can learn! I have mailed them! I had a coursework to submit during internship normally my uni accepts 2 week late submission if there are any circumstances but they are not recognising this placement! Which means i will not have enough credits to do my final dissertation. I now don’t have any choice other then finishing of degree online Normally will there be a problem if i do online degree or do it at your time while working with a firm! I anyway planned to do online mba while working if everything was fine!

Ian on Oct 30, 2023

Ah great! I'm glad it is just because of credits and not grades (this is fine!). You need to check with HR as every firm/program is going to be different.

Anonymous A on Oct 30, 2023

Thanks will check with them

Raj
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replied on Oct 30, 2023
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

I would recommend reaching out to the company's HR or recruitment team to discuss your situation openly and transparently. Explain the circumstances that led to this change in your graduation timeline and emphasize your commitment to completing your degree while working at the firm. Highlight your dedication, time management skills, and ability to balance work and studies effectively.

It's important to demonstrate your willingness to fulfill your responsibilities and contribute to the company's success while pursuing your degree. By proactively addressing the situation and showing your determination, you may be able to find a mutually beneficial solution.

Ultimately, the company will make a decision based on their policies and the specific circumstances of your case. However, by being proactive and transparent, you increase your chances of retaining your graduate job offer.

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Moritz
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replied on Oct 30, 2023
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos

Hi there,

This is super unfortunate, but not unheard of i.e., students finishing up their grad studies while on the job.

If you've been transparent all along and indicated a planned graduation date, you have a leg to stand on. If you've somehow misled the company, things will look a little different… Let's hope it's not the latter!

Just make sure you communicate transparently what's going on, how it's out of your hands, and how you'll manage to complete your studies. There's a difference between taking a couple of classes vs. having to write a dissertation and sit a bunch of exams. You'll have to show them that there won't be any visible impact from the extra strain that you will manage to absorb.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

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>> Need a senior McKinsey coach? See my profile in a nutshell
>> Need real McKinsey cases? See two real examples with Zero Carbon Mine (hard) & Car Convenience (Intermediate + brand new)

 

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Alberto
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replied on Oct 31, 2023
Ex-McKinsey Associate Partner | +15 years in consulting | +200 McKinsey 1st & 2nd round interviews

Hi there,

It's difficult to know if this situation will impact on your job offer but it is a MUST that you communicate this to HR as soon as possible. The company will eventually know and you risk to get fired, which is much worse than not getting or delaying the offer in first place.

Best,

Alberto

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Frederic
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replied on Oct 31, 2023
ex Jr. Partner McKinsey |Senior Interviewer| Real Feedback & Free Homework between sessions|Harvard Coach|10+ Experience

Talk with HR and given current market environment I'd be surprised if they do not agree to postpone. Warm regards, Frederic 

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Pedro
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replied on Oct 30, 2023
Bain | Roland Berger | EY-Parthenon | Mentoring Approach | 30% off first 10 sessions in May| Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

You will have to explaion this to HR. 

What you don't want to happen is for them to ask you for your transcript and find out you didn't graduate yet.

And most likely they want you to graduate first.

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Cristian gave the best answer

Cristian

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