Refferal Mckinsey

McKinsey
New answer on Feb 01, 2021
12 Answers
1.0 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jan 31, 2021

Hello everybody,

An Engagement Manager has told me that she liked my profile and asked me to send my CV so that she can refer me. However, after 7 days I followed up as I did not receive any email from HR so she told me that she forgot to refer me and asked me to resend my CV and remind her again. I reminded her but have not heard back from her for 4 days and have not got any email from HR either. I guess she forgot again which I believe is very normal as she must be having a lot of work.

How and when should I follow up now?

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Anonymous replied on Jan 31, 2021

Hi A,

great that you got somebody to vouch for you. Her push to remind her again shows clearly that she is commited. I would give it another week and then time the reach-out wisely. Either Thursday evening or Friday very morning (so she has it in her inbox as the first thing and can go ahead placing that into her daily to-dos).

Good luck!
Jonas

Was this answer helpful?
16
Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

She already offered her help. Let's give her some more time!

I would wait for another week before sending a kind reminder. If nothing comes out of that, try to look for other referrals and let this one go.

All the best!

Cheers,

Florian

Was this answer helpful?
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there!

I would recommend you to wait at least one more week because getting a referral is not such a quick process. Then you can send her a reminder and see if she replies to you. Depending on her reaction you can start your search for another referral.

Good luck!
GB

Was this answer helpful?
Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Its okay, nudge in a couple of weeks. If you chase too much you will come across as desperate. Meanwhile have other options going in parallel.

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad
Expert
replied on Jan 31, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Please don't overcomplicate it. It's totally fine to follow up once a week until she submits. Managers are overwhelmed with projects.

Best

Was this answer helpful?
Ken
Expert
replied on Jan 31, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It's a good sign that she's specifically asked you to remind her but I would give her 2-3 weeks unless it is urgent for some reason. Following up over email is fine unless she's asked you text her but perhaps timing it on say a Friday where she might have a little more time. Good luck!

Was this answer helpful?
Henning
Expert
replied on Jan 31, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

Consultants are only humans - and humans with a 60h work week, so these things can happen. It's absolutely OK to follow up and remind them, especially since she opened the door for that.

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Great signs but frustrating indeed! She wants to refer you, she's just swamped.

We have to be careful here not to bother her too much.

I would wait one more week and then send another email (attaching the CV when you do)

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 01, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I confirm it can be because he's very busy. I would not push him anymore, but while waiting, look for other referral opportunities

Best,
Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 01, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Do follow up - it is part of the process. I usually recommend following up on a Friday around 11 am or so as it tends to be more relaxed then. Monday and Tuesday are ususally the worst days at work so avoid those.

Just be polite in your follow ups and you will be fine.

Udayan

Was this answer helpful?
Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 01, 2021
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

There is no problem in asking again to follow-up. I would just wait a couple of days to be sure that is not HR fault. I would suggest to write her at the beginning of the day when it's more likely that she will have some time to fix her agenda and put a reminder for you :)

Good luck,
Luca

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Rule of thumb, wait for a week -and follow up on Friday, is the best day for asking favors-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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