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Rejected 2 years Ago. Referral Possible?

I have applied to Mckinsey around 2.5 years ago and unfortunately got turned down. I am wondering if I can still be "referred". I believe I can network and get an endorsement, but will it count as a referral since I'm already in the system?

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Top answer
Pedro
Coach
on Dec 02, 2020
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

The rule is that after 12 months you can reapply. If you are applying to a large office, this holds true. If it is a smaller one, not as much, as the interviewers may remember you and (unless you were an "almost") would rather not invest in another interview for a bit longer (let's say 18-24 months). In any case, after 2.5 years you are on the safe side.

Gaurav
Coach
on Dec 02, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there!

It's been 18 months already, so you can definitely reapply with a referral, despite the fact that you are in the system, after the 12-18 months period it won't count.

It's more important for you now to focus on the preparation for the interviews, practice interview cases and skills needed.

Do you need any help with that?

GB

Vlad
Coach
on Dec 02, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Absolutely, you can reapply with a refferal at this point!

Best

on Dec 30, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I confirm you can definitely reapply and leverage a referral from a senior consultant

Best

Antonello

Deleted
Coach
on Dec 24, 2020
Experienced strategy consultant

Hi,

It will not considered as referral in the sense that no monetary compensation for your referer as you already in the system. However, if you can network and get a senior person to refer you it will still help, moreover if you can demonstarte strong profile during your interaction and also CV I don't see why they would not be interested.

Best,
Iman

on Dec 03, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

The standard ban is 18-24 months, so you can definitely apply again now. It is totally fine and recommended to use a referral. You can find more on referrals at the following link:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,
Francesco

Deleted user
on Dec 03, 2020

Yes, you can. There is the ban for 12-24months, but after that, the application process is just like before - including referrals.

3
Clara
Coach
on Dec 04, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Not only you can, but it´s the thing I would advise you to do. 

It doesnot guarantee anything either, I don´t want to lie to you! However, it does ensure that your CV gets reviewed by HR. 

Hope it helps!

Best, 

Clara

Ian
Coach
on Dec 04, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Absolutely you can be! Are you should do everything you can in order to!

Now, when you do re-apply, make sure you have done 3 key things to improve your odds:

1) Gained experience (internships, bootcamps, classes, stratups, extracirriculars, etc). Fundamentally, you look like a different candidate before. You have more experience, skills, etc. and have shown real progresss.

2) Networked - you have spoken to multiple people across offices and ideally have a referral.

3) Improved your resume / cover letter - make sure your formatting is sharp/consistent, key words/experiences pop, and your experience bullets are properly written.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions on how to better do 1-3 :)

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