Hi, I'm curious about whether MBB firms are flexible about delaying a job offer - is it possible to negotiate a starting date as far as 1 year? What would be a typical “expected starting date” once the offer has been confirmed? Thanks in advance!
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Possibility to delay job offer?
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Unless you can provide a good reason for delaying one year, I don't think they will accept it. They are taking a couple of risks there - the risk that the market is different (but they still have a commitment) and the risk that you'll change your mind.
Particularly now that consulting firms are facing a shortage of people.
I would say that for anything above 3-4 months (or outside the usual January / Summer intake) you need to provide a decent justification. And I mean one that doesn't imply that you actually don't want to work.
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Hi there,
If you're going in cycle (i.e. through a program like MBA program), they typically provide set date(s) that you cannot change.
If you are coming in out of cycle (generally as an experience hire), you are more likely to be able to get the date moved. That said, a year is a seriously long time so odds are low.
You can ask, but temper expectations.
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Can only comment for BCG, but to the extent it's not part of an on-campus recruiting campaign, the firm is quite flexible in most regions.
Anything up to 6-9 months is usually fair game. 12 months a bit of a stretch, but not impossible, if you have a serious and credible reason for the delay. I'm aware of 3-4 cases on that before, so would definitely not rule it out.
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