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Shifting the joining date

McKinsey
New answer on Oct 23, 2022
9 Answers
581 Views
Anonymous A asked on Oct 03, 2022

Hi Coaches and members 

I need an advise. My joining date in Mckinsey KSA is in less than a month. However, I am unable to resign as my direct manager is on leave. I tried to shift the joining date from Mckinsey but this is their last intake for this year and pushing to next year would mean pushing by 3 months.

Please advise. 

1. If it is ok to go right into Mckinsey after the current job without a break 

2. Are their fixed dates of joining. Can I not join after 1-2 weeks?

Overview of answers

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 04, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

What does your contract state?

Most employment contracts are for 2 weeks. If you only need to give 2 weeks notice, it doesn't matter if your manager is away…send an email to your manager plus their boss providing your 2 weeks leave.

This is not legal advice. Check your contract to see what is allowed…but your manager being on leave is not a reason to not quit.

You can also ask McKinsey KSA if you can start earlier or later - they are often flexible with start dates (within the constraints of cohort training)

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Andrea
Expert
replied on Oct 03, 2022
BCG Project Leader | INSEAD MBA | Interviewer and recruiting channel member | Real cases with detailed feedback

1. If it is ok to go right into McKinsey without a break? 

It is possible. It is really a personal choice on how you are feeling, if you need a break or not.  Your first week or so at McKinsey will likely be training, so shouldn’t be too grueling. 

 

2. Are their fixed dates of joining. Can I not join after 1-2 weeks?

For the new joiner programs in KSA, there are typically fixed joining points. This is different than for other consultants joining where there is more flexibility. At BCG, the new joiners in KSA started 2x per year (once every 6 months). It sounds like this is once every 3 months for McKinsey. 

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Emily
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Content Creator
replied on Oct 03, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

Hi there,

So I was in your shoes and ended up resigning to my boss's boss's boss - the only person who was around. My first recommendation would be to find someone higher up the organisation who you can resign to. 

However, if that really isn't an option then call HR and ask what they could do - they are best placed to advise. 

Good luck!

Emily 

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 03, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

I would not join McKinsey without a break. Yes there is a chance you get to be on the beach for a couple of weeks but if that is not the case you will have 0 chance to recover from your previous job and will be expected to perform really well regardless (and not to mention work long hours)

Usually offices are very flexible for 1-2 weeks. The only thing is that there is training planned for a cohort which you should not miss. Aside from that it is quite ok to join later.

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Dennis
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Content Creator
replied on Oct 03, 2022
Ex-Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Since consulting is all about project work, the flexibility with starting dates is usually much higher than at companies from different sectors. However, there may be regional differences and from what it sounds like, that seems to be applicable to you.

If cashflow is not a constraining factor for you at this point, I would take a break (1-3 months) between finishing your current job and taking on the new role at McK. Go on vacation, pursue your hobbies, get yourself situated, etc. It is also more pleasant to start out refreshed rather than rushing into it back to back.

 

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Mario
Expert
replied on Oct 03, 2022
Ex-Mckinsey (analyst->associate->manager) and now in tech (Bytedance) + Part time interview coach and mentor

Hey there,

 

McKinsey can take some candidates off cycle, you just need to make the case for it (clarify that there is no way your current employer releases you before a certain date). 

In general, attending the onboarding could be helpful but there isn't really anything you can't learn on the project or on the job. That said, if you end up skipping the onboarding and joining off-cycle, you'll still be able to perform just fine.

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Florian
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Content Creator
replied on Oct 03, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hi there,

1. It is okay but personally I would recommend you to take 1 month off to travel and relax before jumping into any new high-pressure, long-work hours job

2. Generally no. You can start any month and McKinsey is very flexible with the starting dates as offers are usually valid for 12 monhts. I had my original start date in January, called late November, and rescheduled to February. :-)

All the best and enjoy your time at the Firm.

Cheers,

Florian

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Anonymous replied on Oct 23, 2022

Hi,

  1. Just reach out to HR and explain your situation; most likely they have dealt with similar situations in the past and know what to do
  2. Reach out to your boss' boss + your current company's HR to make your resignation official; I do not understand why you would not able to resign when your boss is on leave.  
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Sofia
Expert
replied on Oct 05, 2022
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

I would recommend talking to HR both at your current employer and at McKinsey KSA about your situation. If your direct manager is on leave, you should still be able to give notice (e.g., via HR, or via someone further up in the hierarchy). McKinsey offices are often willing to be flexible around start dates if there is a good reason, so I think it's a conversation worth having with HR there too. 

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