Two months and no response

application process business analyst McKinsey
New answer on Oct 29, 2020
10 Answers
2.6 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Oct 27, 2020

Hi all,

As the title suggests, it’s been two months since I applied to McKinsey for the business analyst position and haven’t heard back yet. I emailed the recruiters from my 1st preferred office with no success. The same goes for my 2nd preferred office. I guess the only logical step is to try to call HR.

In my country, it is common practice that companies send rejected applicants a notification email once the whole process has already finished or even months after that. However, I thought that based on company policies McKinsey has to notify every single applicant on the status of their application.

Some other offices have just started their recruitment process but I am unsure as to whether I can even apply since there is still one B.A. application ‘live’. Does the status of your application ever change on Mckinsey dashboard? What should I do from now forward? Would it be a good idea to email recruiters from those other offices to see if I can apply?

Thanks.

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Anonymous B replied on Oct 28, 2020

Hi Anonymous,

What office did you apply to? It seems strange that you haven't heard from McKinsey for two months. Are you sure that your application was submitted correctly?

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Anonymous A on Oct 28, 2020

Hi, I applied to McKinsey Latam offices. Actually, I made sure of it since I had some trouble submitting my CV. McKinsey technical support replied to me stating that they did in fact receive my app documentation. What is odd to me is that the recruiters keep posting the opening of the recruitment process for internships/MBAs. My guess is that either I didn't make the next round or my CV hasn't been reviewed.

(edited)

Anonymous B on Oct 28, 2020

I am sure they would reach out even if you didn’t make it past the screening process. I would recommend calling your first preference office to clarify the intake window and your application status. Good luck!

Henning
Expert
replied on Oct 28, 2020
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

Hi Anonymous! This is indeed uncommong. You should reach out to HR to inquire about the status of your application.

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Ken
Expert
replied on Oct 28, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

I feel your frustration. If you've waited for two months with no response, it's completely acceptable that you call the recruiter directly to follow up.

One explanation could be that you have applied to offices with different recruiting timelines and hence your application has yet to be considered by the office with the later recruiting timeline (e.g., US vs. London which has a 1-3 month lag for campus recruiting).

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Anonymous replied on Oct 28, 2020

Hi,

I can relate, and it is a tough market out there. I only recently found out about the great field known as consulting, and I graduate in December! I applied online to firms and had no responses at all. I then decided to take a different approach, especially with a non-traditional background, and I think you will find the approach useful too, and maybe even more enjoyable. The article is linked below. I know it's lengthy, but it's worth it!

A nice motto: what is everyone else doing? do something else.

cultivatedculture.com/how-to-get-a-job-anywhere-no-connections/

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Julie
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replied on Oct 28, 2020
McK interviewer, Ph.D (advanced degree) | Experienced coach (150+) | Practical tips, confidence-based approach

Hi,

Indeed, this situation is not common, as McKinsey tends to be a top performer when it comes to getting back to candidates. Did you apply via the website offical application process?

Your options at this point would be to 1) ask HR again (to all the recruiters you interacted with during your application), via email and/or LinkedIn. Keep your note short and straight to the point. 2) apply to other McK offices and other firms. 3) If you are at a target university, check when is the next time McK will come to campus and go talk to the recruiters then. 4) if you have contacts in the offices you applied to (e.g. consultants), you can see if they can ask HR

The website tends to always show open availabilities for all positions, so I wouldn4t use that as an indication.

I hope that helps! Best of luck!

Julie

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Anonymous A on Oct 28, 2020

Hi Julie, Thanks for your reply. I did apply through the official website. I’m at a target university and applied via campus recruitment. What I don’t know, though, is whether I can apply to other offices as my application is still live. According to some, you cannot apply to the same position as the system doesn’t allow it. As far as my app status, my dashboard says ‘submitted’ as opposed to ‘rejected’ or ‘no longer in consideration’. I was wondering whether this status ever changes.

Julie on Oct 28, 2020

Yes, typically they don't allow several submissions at the same time. Because you are at a target school, you should have the email + number of HR contact. Email and call again, as it is not common they don't hear back. I'd also talk to your colleagues (from your cohort) who applied, and ask if they heard back.

Julie on Oct 28, 2020

Also, did they give you a deadline for applications? If you applied too early on, it may be that they are waiting for the deadline before sending decisions.

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 29, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I agree with the rest that this is uncommon and you should call HR directly.

Additionally, I highly recommend you proceed simultaneously as if you will AND won't get an interview. What I mean is:

You will get the interview

  • Get into interview shape. Practice cases, Fit questions, etc. etc. Once you find out about the interview, you won't have much time to prepare!

You won't get the interview

  • Network agressively with other companies
  • Apply to other companies
  • Assume you'll get interviewed at other companies and begin case preparation now!
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Robert
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Content Creator
replied on Oct 29, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonmyous,

The 2 month period is definitely too long without hearing back anything.

Just grab your phone and call HR to politely investigate your application status and try to listen between the lines. Definitely not to time to speculate, just clarify with them - it's their job to support you in your application process!

Hope this helps - if so, please give it a thumbs-up with the upvote button below!

Robert

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Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Oct 28, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I would say it´s uncommon from McKinsey, they would normally let your know.

It could also be that they have a backlog checking the pipeline, since we are in plain recruiting season atm.

I guess you could:

  • Keep insisting to HR -nothing to loose here-.
  • Even show up in person in the office and ask to tlak to HR -they are in the headquarters always, in case they are not home for COVID-.
  • If you are from a target uni, try to get to them over the career services
  • Re-apply

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous A on Oct 29, 2020

Hi Clara, Thanks for your reply. Actually, for the time being, I am residing in another country so calling or showing up in person can be difficult. Unfortunately, here in Canada, due to a second wave of COVID cases, most companies have gone online. So, basically, I am relying on emails to reach out to HR. About reapplying, is that allowed? There are some recruiting processes (Europe) that have just started and I'd like to apply but honestly, I do not know what my chances are (the language requirement is not a problem btw).

(edited)

Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 28, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

I'm sorry to hear that. Actually, it's not a common practice, especially for McKinsey.

Have applied through the web-page or Linkedin?

GB

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Anonymous A on Oct 29, 2020

Hi Gaurav, I applied via McKinsey official website.

(edited)

Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 28, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

At this stage it is totally fine that you call HR. This can also help to have your CV noticed. After my application at OW, I did not receive any feedback for one month. I called HR, she looked at my CV while we were talking and scheduled an interview immediately.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

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