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What's the process after the final round interview from the interviewer's perspective?

Hi,

What's the process after the final round interview from the interviewer's perspective? Do the partners discuss the candidate right after the interview? Is it an end of day meeting after all candidates have been interviewed? How long is it to hear back from the firm? I've heard instances where some candidates received an offer same day. Is that rare?

Thanks,

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Deleted
Coach
on May 02, 2022
Conducted over 100 interviews for grads, interns & experienced hires

This will vary depending on whether it is a process for one individual candidate (like an experienced hire) or a formal group process like internships or grad hires.

For the formal group process, there is normally a set timeline and a “washout” call where all colleagues who have interviewed get together to discuss each candidates performance and calibrate to decide on next steps. Candidates would then be either contacted that day or over the next couple of days.

For the individual process the timeline is normally more drawn out, and the washout might not happen for a week or two when everyone's calendar is free. In that case once a decision has been made they will usually contact the candidate that day or within a few days.

The one exception to the rule which could result in delay is there is human error in the process i.e. HR might ask one person to call the candidate, and they may not see that email for a few days.

Hope this is useful and helps you navigate the process!

Andi
Coach
on Apr 30, 2022
BCG 1st & Final Round interviewer | Personalized prep with >95% success rate | 7yrs coaching | Experienced Hires

Hi there,

Process varies a bit by firm, location and type of recruiting (on-cycle campus vs off-cycle), as other coaches already highlighted.

Generally speaking, interviewers have their individual scores, which they need to integrate / synthesize. Depending on firm, there might be a direct sync of interviewers or not - but honestly, it won't matter as…

a) consulting interviewers usually have individual veto power; and 

b) it's no longer in your control anyways

In terms of timing, it very much depends on availability of the interviewers - may be straight after or only a day or a few later. Attention of manager level upwards is often very scattered, so it may take some time.

With regards to response post final round - this may, again, depend on above factors. Some firms and offices indeed offer same day, and it's not that rate (e.g. BCG and McK in Germany & SEA, less so in certain other geographies). Some wait until all candidates completed the process, esp when there are scarce number of slots. It really depends on the specific situation.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Andi

on Apr 30, 2022
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

In short, they all get on a call and discuss your case. It's a short chat, they each provide their input, discuss along the main dimensions of assessment and they can each veto you. Soon after that they reach out to let you know. 

Delays usually happen for two reasons. 

1. Until they all get on a call - this can take even a week

2. Until the person assigned to inform you reaches out to you - this can take days with Partners

Moritz
Coach
on May 02, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises

Hi there,

Completely depends on company, format (e.g. campus recruiting vs. experience hire), region, workload of Partners, etc.

To illustrate the spectrum:

  • Quick: I got my offer from McKinsey 1hr after the last interview and there's candidates getting an offer even during the last interview (if you were REALLY strong in all preceding interviews)
  • Slow: Some of my coachees received their offers from MBB a couple of weeks after final round, when all hope was almost lost already

Wouldn't want to speculate about your case. Just know that it can take a while and that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad sign!

Best of luck!

Lucie
Coach
on Apr 29, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Hi there, 

 

the timeline depends if you are part of the specific recruiting waves or you on off cycle. If the 2nd option, then it can take fairly long to get the answer (up to 1 month). 

The delay is usually given that all people that interviewed you must submit their feedback and this can take long as everyone's agenda is extremely packed. So delay doesn't mean anything bad, it is just an organizational thing. Still, I would strongly recommend reaching out to HR and asking for an update and a new timeline if you dont hear anything after 1-2 weeks. 


Good luck

Lucie

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Ian
Coach
on Apr 30, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

So, exactly 34 minutes after the interview, the interviewers meet for a cup of tea in the common room and set a timer for 17 minutes to discuss your interview.

Jokes aside, the main point here is it doesn't matter! You are trying to understand something that you have no control over.

In some instances you will get a call the same day (I received a “thank you” call from the Partner as I was in the taxi back to the airport, and an offer the next day), or it may take multiple weeks (and still be a yes).

Be patient - if you don't here back in 2-3 weeks that's the approximate time to follow-up.

Deleted user
on Apr 30, 2022

LOL at Ian's and definitely agree totally with Lucie. It depends on cyclical recruiting or off-cycle recruiting. 

For cyclical recruiting, it depends on how many days the recruiting is carried out. Usually, at the end of the day, the interviewers will have a calibration. For final rounds if it is 1 or 2 days of recruiting it is not uncommon to get your offer that day itself. I got my call the same evening from BCG. 

For off-cycle recruiting the process can take from a few days to months. I think it is usually depending on how desperately they need the people. 

4
Ian
Coach
on May 01, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
Haha thanks :)
Clara
Coach
on Apr 30, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It depends on the company and whether they interview more people than positions they have available. 

That is not the case in MBB in most of the times. Hence, your interviewers meet with HR and debrief, and there is when they decide about the offer. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Ken
Coach
on Apr 30, 2022
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It depends.  For McKinsey campus recruiting where there are dedicated full days of interviewing, the decision meetings tend to take place during lunch and before dinner but calls will be done once the week is over.

on May 01, 2022
Empathic coach, former McKinsey Engagement Manager |Secure offers from top consulting firms

Dear candidate,

the process can vary much. It is true that candidates can receive the offer same day, even during the final round, however it can also take a while until you hear back from them. Simply wait.

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