COVID Impact on McK Associate Job Offer

Bain BCG Mck McKinsey
Edited on May 26, 2020
9 Answers
2.9 k Views
Anonymous A asked on May 05, 2020

I have a job offer that has been confirmed/signed. I was supposed to start in July 2020, but because of COVID I was told today they are pushing it back to Oct 2020. When I asked if the offer was still good or should I be worried I was told that "yes, it was 100% good just moving it for safety." My question is should I be worried about my offer going bad?

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Anonymous replied on May 05, 2020

Hi there,

Since they already confirm the offer is 100% good, it should be good. You don't need to worry about that.

It is just that you suddenly have 3 months gap now. It is probably not a bad thing either. Take a break, and also use the 3 months to get yourself prepared for the challenging job ahead - practice excel, PPT etc. Other than that, sleep well, exercise. Once you start working your life could get very hectic. Enjoy the chill moment now while you can.

Best,

Emily

Was this answer helpful?
14
Anonymous replied on May 06, 2020

Dear A,

First of all, my congratulations to your offer and to the confirmation, that it is secured!


So would like to reassure you that everything is going to be fine, and you will be starting as indicated in October 2020, so don't worry and have a good time until then. Use it to really have a good rest and make the things you always wanted to do, because later you might have enough time for this :)


Best,

André

Was this answer helpful?
12
Anonymous replied on May 05, 2020

Hi there,

I also have a McK confirmed contract that has been signed and got delayed from April to June. McK is starting my papework process in the next 1-2 weeks. (location: Dubai)

The reason for postponing my joining date was for 2 key reasons:

1) Onboarding training: McK is very keen on their "Embark training" - they want to make sure you get the full experience (which require face to face interaction) rather than going through it via webconferencing.

2) Offices are closed and no client visits: Mck is taking extra measures to curb infection spread within the firm and to the clients - Therefore, it will be hard for new joiners to get up to speed on project work.

Now that Dubai is easing a bit the lockdown, things are looking good.

My advice is to hang in there, pick up an online course (or book) or two, enjoy the calm and tranquility before the hectic consulting life kicks in :)

Best of luck,

Khaled

Was this answer helpful?
11
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 05, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

I haven’t heard of anyone who got an MBB offer rescinded so far. I don’t think any major consulting firm is likely to rescind offers for the following reasons:

  1. Legal aspects. Unless there is a clause the company can cancel the offer, doing so creates a breach of contract
  2. Reputation. Rescinding offers will affect the general reputation of the company
  3. Alternatives. It is just easier for the company to suggest a later starting date rather than canceling the offer and lose suitable candidates, which are very expensive in terms of recruiting for any major firm.

Since they even confirmed the offer is fine, I would be even less worried. The only risk I see is that they may postpone the start date even further.

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on May 05, 2020

This honestly takes such a load off my mind, thank you!!

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on May 26, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

You should be ok as Francesco mentions below.

However, we can never be 100% certain. For that reason, just think about a Plan B (or even a short-term job/internship in the meantime).

Cost: Your time

Benefit: Insurance against no income/plan AND peace of mind

My view: If it costs you nothing but your time (and you have some to spare), yes you should be pursuing a plan B. Even though the risk is indeed low these are unprecented times and one never knows!

By the way, if anyone is interested in trying out cases that deal with the impact of the coronavirus, check out these two cases:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/brain-teaser/beginner/coronavirus-times-194

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/chinese-chess-191

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on May 05, 2020

Thank you!! That was a huge help, I have a fellowship that I had planned on leaving early but guess I will be staying the full course until Sept! I know my contract included language about working for various other jobs, before I accept even a short-term job I should probably get approval in writing from the firm, right?

Ian on May 26, 2020

Absolutely you should! A Full offer in writing is incredibly important

Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 05, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Once the offer is extended, it would be EXTREMLY rare that it gets rescinded.

What seems clear by now is that this is truly harming economy, and in the next weeks we will see whether we are heading to a global economic recession.

If this is the case, and we indeed face a global recession -even if not as hard as the previous one-, this will have an impact in consulting. Why? Simply because there would be less clients, less engagements with the usual clients, and an overall freeze in spending.

This, for sure, will impact recruiting, reducing the classes of BAs and Associates for a couple of years.

However, this won´t affect you if you are "in" already.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on May 05, 2020

I cannot predict if it will go bad or not.I can only say that it is a normal action to be done as in the current situation company try hard to preserve liquidity. Some have gone as far as deffering partner pays, delay bonus and promotion for staff and even delaying start dates.

I would suggest to keep in close contact with your HR and probably no harm to keep looking for other opportunities just in case.

Was this answer helpful?
8
Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 05, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

Not really, it is extremely unlikely that a MBB will rescind a the contract, if it's a full-time offer. First of all, once that they send you the job offer, they are formally committed to the offer. Secondly, it would be a bad publicity that would damage the brand in a significant way.

In the worst case, they will stop recruiting and they will postpone the start of the offers already sent. They will have an high turnover, as always, and if they dont wat to decrease the total number of consultants it's enough to wait for some months before getting new hires.

Best,
Luca

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad
Expert
replied on May 06, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Under no circumstances, McKinsey will resign the offer once its signed. So pls relax and take a good rest before starting

Best

Was this answer helpful?
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely