Telling the recruiter about other interviews and the process?

Hi Charlotte,

Mostly there are 2 reasons behind that question:

1. Administrative: How does your timeline of interviews go along with that specific interview you are just having? Is there a strong mismatch and risk you won't be available anymore on the job market once the current interview process is finished?
2. Evaluation-wise: If a candidate tells me he only applies for this one specific firm and is not interested in any other competing consulting firm at all, it's almost a red flag. Either the candidate is laying straight into my face, or not having structured his application process well and puts all eggs in one basket. Both option aren't very clever, honestly.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

With these questions, they try to understand where you are and whether the fight for you (if you get an offer) is going to be competitive. This might e.g. affect the efforts they are spending on the conversion. It does not pre-empt any decision on the interview though.

Feel free to tell them openly that you are also involving at the other key consulting firms. They will not take this personal.

Hi Charlotte,

You should answer this question directly, but not specifically.

What this means is, if they ask you a question you should answer it calmly + confidently! However, there's no need to speficially name the companies!

Rather, the best answer you can give is: "Yes, I'm actually interviewing with a number of other consultancies as I know consulting is what I want to do. That being said I genuinely am most interested in your company because of xxx. I would be delighted to work with you guys"

Hi,

Yes, you can directly tell them that you are applying to other consulting firms without disclosing exact names. However you should then explain that this particular company is your primary choice and name specific reasons for it.

Also note that if you disclose that you are applying to non-consulting firms than they may have doubts on your motivation for consulting.

Good luck!

Hi Charlotte,

I agree with Henning, you should not concern that it might affect the interview (because it won't) and just be open about other companies you are applying to. 
 

Best, André

Hi Charlotte,

You should know when and how you can tell this info. In general, it's best to talk about this after you take all the interviews and while you're waiting for the offer (it helps speed up the process). You might also bring this topic to the table if you are trying to schedule an interview earlier than the initial date they gave you. Those are the two situations in which I see this working, but keep in mind that this is just to speed up the process and it will not give you any favor in the process!

All the best,

Mehdi

Hi,

You can always say: "I am recruiting with xyz but your company is the top priority for me for the following reasons: abc"

Best

I think you can just be open and transparent with them on your status. 

Meanwhile also do convey that you are keen on the company and have good reason that you would actually join (if the company is indeed one of your top choices). 

Hi Charlotte,

There are some assumptions why recruiters ask such question:

1. The recruiter would like to know how much the candidate is in demand. For instance,  If you have no other offers, and you have been looking for a job for a long time, this is at least strange. Either you are not a very good professional or your salary requirements are very high, or you are lying.

2. To understand are you really interested working in this particular position or any job will suit you.

3. To find out how many times a recruiter has to give you the results.

You may answer that you have just started looking for the vacancies. If you started looking for a job a long time ago, you can say the real situation with recruiting processes in other companies (but tell them that you will definitely wait for their answer as it is the most attractive company for you).

Was it helpful?

All the best,

GB