HR not responding - Referral

McKinsey
New answer on Apr 01, 2021
7 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Mar 23, 2021

Hello everybody,

I have been referred by EM for Mumbai (India) and London office for a Business Analyst position. She has referred me on 3rd Feb but I have not got any reply from any offices.

I reached out to HR (London office) a couple of times but getting the same reply that they will reach out to me soon after reviewing my application.

I did not get any reply from the Mumbai office even I followed up a couple of times.

I have a partner as well with whom I have not scheduled a meeting yet. Should I schedule a meeting with partner and try to get a referral from him as I am not getting a reply from HR?

Is waiting for 1.5 - 2 months normal?

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Francesco
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replied on Mar 24, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

A waiting time of 2 months after a referral is unusual but could happen.

As mentioned by Ian, I would not send further emails to HR if you already emailed multiple times. You may reach out to the person referring you in a bit, if you have a good relationship with her.

You can definitely have a chat with the partner, however you have already been referred, so you cannot ask to be referred “formally” again. The partner could still encourage HR to review your application and thus refer you “informally” (please align him on the fact you already applied and been referred).

Best,

Francesco

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Florian
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replied on Mar 24, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there.

It is definitely not normal but increasingly more common these days.

For Mumbai, I have no specific insights but as far as I know, recruiting for the London office has finished and will re-commence in fall for next year's intake. I am not sure, there are off-cycle positions available in London, also one of the most competitive McK offices btw.

What would you like to get out of the partner discussion? It won't hurt certainly and could potentially boost your application speed and make sure to put your application on top of the pile (provided they are open for applications at the moment).

Cheers,

Florian

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Anonymous B replied on Mar 23, 2021

I am also waiting to hear back from a McKinsey referral to which I applied to on 9th Feb. I have not emailed HR yet. I would also be curious to know what the standard time lines are.

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Ian
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replied on Mar 23, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Please stop emailing them. If you've emailed them more than 1 time, you've emailed them too much...this can only hurt you!

Referrals take a while. Sometimes you can get a response in days, other times months. There are a lot of factors at play here, and, quite frankly, an given applicant is low priority on anyone's list at these companies!

Please be patient. If it takes another month, then reach out again AND reach out to the Partner for a chat.

Furthermore, please don't put all your eggs in this basket. Continue to network + apply to other firms!

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Florian on Mar 24, 2021

Emailing HR a couple of times in more than 1.5 months does definitely not hurt the application. It is their literal job to help applicants and guide them on their way to the offer. :-) At the worst, it won't have an impact, at the best he will get more information on the process. Nothing to lose here (in moderation).

Anonymous C replied on Apr 01, 2021

Hi there,

It seems waiting time is an issue not only for you.

I passed the problem solving game two months ago and was told that the first round of interview for Middle east office will be schechuled with me soon. since then - nothing. I sent an Email to HR with no response.

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Clara
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replied on Mar 24, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

First of all, I am not sure whether the same person can recommend you for two offices at the same time -perhaps informally by passing your CV to HR, but you can only have one process at a time-.

It´s been over 2 months, so I would actually move to action -it seems unlikely that they will respond now for the previous referral-.

Furthermore, you should do it asap, since the BA cycle in London closes in Sping, so you are against the clock!

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Gaurav
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replied on Mar 24, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hey A!

The situation is unusual indeed. I also will not recommend writing to HR once again, but you can try to schedule a meeting with a partner. You can then mention your referral, but, as Francesco stated, specify that you already have been referred.

If you have any further questions - do not hesitate to write me!

GB

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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