Kearney London 2025 Business Analyst recruitment

Question

Hi everyone,

I applied for a Business Analyst role at Kearney for their 2025 intake in November last year. I have received 2 emails now (one early Dec and one mid Jan) that say something along the lines of 'thanks for being patient, we are still recruiting, please bear with us'.

I wanted to know if anyone has started having interviews/doing online tests at this stage? Am I getting these emails because I might be a placeholder if other applicants don't end up working out?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hello,

It’s completely normal to feel uncertain during a prolonged recruitment process, but the emails you’re receiving suggest that Kearney is still actively reviewing candidates. Recruitment timelines can vary widely, especially for competitive roles, so these updates are likely a way to keep you informed while they finalize their process.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a “placeholder”—they may just be pacing their process based on volume or internal timelines. If others have started interviews, it could also be that candidates are processed in batches or for specific roles within the intake.

If you haven’t already, it’s worth reaching out to Kearney politely to check on your application status. This shows proactive interest without appearing impatient. Best of luck—I’m happy to help with interview prep if you get to that stage!

Best,

Evelina

Answer 2

Hi there,

Seeing this quite a lot at the moment. Firms are unsure about their demand (extremely unpredictable global economy) so they keep candidates in the loop without committing. :-(

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it except look for alternatives. At this point, the waiting is not a rejection though - it could still happen.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 3

Hey there,

I know that many candidates are in your position and also experiencing long waitlist times. Sadly all you can do at this time is wait, but I'd advise also to look at applying to other firms too. Widen you net and increase you potential opportunity set. This can also sharpen your interview capabilities in the meantime if Kearney do come back down the line :-)

All the best

Answer 4

Hey!

It’s normal for firms like Kearney to send such emails during the recruitment process, especially when they have a large pool of applicants and rolling deadlines. These emails typically mean your application is still under consideration, not necessarily that you’re a “placeholder.”

As of now, some candidates may have started interviews or tests depending on when they applied, but this varies by office and intake timeline. It doesn’t indicate rejection or lower priority for you.

If you’re concerned, it’s fine to politely follow up with their recruitment team for clarity on the timeline. Best of luck with your application!

Alessa

Answer 5

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

First of all, yes, some of my coachees were invited and successfully completed the application processes with major strategy consulting firms, including Kearney, for last fall's intake.
Moreover, unfortunately, it seems that UK consulting firms are “waiting list” candidates in order to deal with their own uncertainties about client demand. Whilst this is certainly not an appreciative behavior, I am afraid that there is nothing you can do at your end except to cancel the application process.

You can find more on this topic here: How to deal with a rejection from a consulting company.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen