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McKinsey Geographic restriction

BCG McKinsey and Bain McKinsey rejection
New answer on Jun 10, 2022
9 Answers
634 Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 07, 2022

Hi

I just received rejection notice from McKinsey and they have added this line in the email :

For reference, this evaluation and decision was made after a full global review and is applicable across all geographies for this position. 
 

I only applied to one of the offices in Helsinki, so does this mean I can't apply for geographies also for the next 12-18 months?

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Francesco
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 07, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that. In terms of your question:

Q: Does this mean I can't apply for geographies also for the next 12-18 months?

The ban in theory is global. You may try to find a referral in an office in another country, explain the situation and see if they can help (no guarantee it will work though). You can find more on referrals here:

 How to Get an MBB Referral 

Best,

Francesco

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Udayan
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replied on Jun 10, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Correct - McKinsey has a global hiring system to avoid exactly this problem of people applying to different geographies to hedge their bets.

Your best bet is to wait the 18-24 months out. Ideally you will use this time to build skillsets in relevant areas and achieve great things professionally. If you then want to re-apply to McKinsey you can do so as a stronger and more desirable candidate.

Best,

Udayan

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Clara
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replied on Jun 09, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Unfortunately, no (during the ban period, later yes, you can). 

The reason for the ban is that you need to add "relevant" experience to your CV, and you need at least 12-18 months for that. 

A referral would for sure help, but after the required months. 

Don´t give up!

Cheers,

Clara

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Ian
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replied on Jun 08, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Short answer is yes. You are going to need to wait 12-18 months.

In the meantime, reflect on why you were rejected. Work to gain additional experience/qualifications. Improve your resume and make it elite. Network extensively to get a referral.

Good luck on the next run!

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Nirmit
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replied on Jun 07, 2022
I will get you an offer|McKinsey Senior EM|Offers from MBB|100+ interviews at McKinsey|Recruiting Lead|Experienced hire

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your rejection. Agree with what folks have mentioned here. Usually a referral from an AP/Partner equivalent can help you to apply within 6-8 months. In the meantime, it would be great to understand what are the areas of improvement and create a holistic plan to address those so that your chances increase the next time around. Good luck!

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Moritz
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replied on Jun 08, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos

Hi there,

Was this after an interview or did you not even get to that stage?

Here's the deal: 

  • If you get rejected after an interview in office A, the freeze period is indeed long and technically global. However, there can be exceptions to that.
  • If you apply to office B in a completely different region half way accross the world (within the freeze period), where the talent pool is very different from Finnland and where you may be a stand-out candidate, the local office can ask for an exception to interview you despite the ban.

I know the above for a fact but wouldn't advocate for it as a general strategy. This only works in special circumstances and you'd be better off waiting and/or applying to other top firms.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

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Florian
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replied on Jun 07, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Sorry to hear!

Yes, the application ban is global (usually 12 months for interns and 18-24 months for full-time positions).

All the best!

Florian

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Anonymous replied on Jun 07, 2022

Hey - Yes, that is unfortunately correct. The best possible route would be as Francesco mentioned to try another office through a referral. 

Best 

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Ken
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replied on Jun 07, 2022
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Unfortunately, that's correct.

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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