Mckinsey offeree - office transfer possibility?

Hey there! 

First off, congrats on your and your partners offer! 

1. Changing office before starting: Usually this is quite possible within the same jurisdiction and a strong personal region and more so given your partner is in thesame firm. Definitely start the process by reaching out to the recruiter in the Boston (home) office to explain yourself and understand possibilities. Only thing is sometimes it can be quite tough if you want to move to a very competitive office such as NY / SF 
2. Change office post starting: The next best option for you could be to wait it out, do about a year in your home office and then push for a transfer to the desired office. Things that help in this are 
   1. Strong performance 
   2. A partner supporting you in either office 
   3. Good relationships with HR 

Best

Hi Angel,

Congratulations on the offer! Adding a few more comments in terms of your question:

Q: Was wondering if an offeree like me can switch offices after signing the offer? If so, who would you advise me to reach out to (Boston recruiters or new office recruiters)?

It is usually difficult to transfer before you start - normally you need to have some seniority to move between offices. If the two offices are connected somehow (same country definitely helps) that might be easier though.

If you want to ask now, you should do so by contacting HR of the office that extended the offer.

If they say no or you are willing to wait a bit, you could try to move once got some seniority, then the likelihood will be higher.

To maximize your chances you should ideally:

• Have one or more partners in your target office favoring the transfer
• Have one or more partners in your home office favoring the transfer
• Have a strong performance
• Have or be able to get working rights in your target office

It might be easier to try to target a project in the new office while you are based in your current one, create relationships and then do the full transfer. However, that also depends on the office flexibility.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

If you are switching within the US, that should actually be possible before you start.

Three things to consider:

1. Reach out to HR as soon as possible to kick off the process.
2. Partner involvement definitely helps. If a partner from your target office supports your move, it will be much easier.
3. It might be that they want to run one final partner interview in your target office to confirm the hiring decision.

All the best!

Florian

Hi there,

Please do not message your target office recruiters! This makes it look like you're sneaking around.

1. Ask the Boston office to hop on a call. 
2. Prepare your “pitch”. (Meaning practice it outloud and roleplay it). 
3. Make sure you can truly defend your position
4. Make sure you make it clear that you're willing to work to what they can do
5. Please don't make an ultimatum
6. Don't hold your breath - they are unlikely to accept an office transfer in the US (so, be prepared to either take another offer, or wait it out a year or 2)

Good luck!

Hi there, 

It's a difficult situation, but on the bright side you both got offers, so there's definitely something to celebrate. 

I would reach out to the Boston recruiters to explain the situation, emphasising the effect you believe this will have on your personal life and assuring them that you appreciate their flexibility. Then take it from there. There's a good chance that it might work out, so it's better to discuss it as early as possible. 

Best,

Cristian

It's totally fine to ask to transfer office before you start. I suggest that you reach out to the Boston office HR and explain the situation - they want you to be happy at work and so generally will try to make it work. 

Good luck!

That is usually feasible since you are switching offices in the same region. 

My suggestion is to explain your situation very openly. 
I honestly think they will help you.

Congratulations on the offer. Boston is a great city so you'll be missing out if you switch offices :)

But to your question:

Switching offices within a region/country that is under the purview of the same management/HR team is usually not that problematic. However, even in that case there could be different focus areas allocated to different office locations.

So if you recruited with the Boston office, had most of your interviewers come from the Boston office and already signed the contract that states that you will start in the Boston office, it could be a bit of a discussion to be had.

Definitely talk to your primary HR contact (whoever sent you the offer) first. It won't hurt to explore the option of switching  - firms are often somewhat lenient when it's because of family/relationship reasons since everyone these days is trying to be more “work-life balance friendly”. 

Just make sure you clearly communicate why an office transfer is so important now and why you did not already bring it up during the recruiting process.