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MBB Contract signed for June 2020 start in Middle East

Dear Preplounge Community

I have NOT yet been told about any delays for my start date due to COVID-19.

1) Should I contact HR myself to ask whether there will be a delay in my start date? Or shall I keep waiting for them to contact me?

2) If my Degree legalization and visa process is delayed due to the relevant bodies being closed or delayed, will that mean I can't legally start working? (Can take UAE as an example here)

I already have a valid residency visa - not sure if I can legally start remotely unless I am sponsored on their visa?

10 Answers
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Top answer
Clara
Coach
on Apr 30, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

1) Here honestly, with what it´s at stake, I think it´s better to be proactive ( I honestly don´t think that you are going to flag them something that they are not aware of and open a brownie). 

2) Another reason yet to contact HR asap, since it´s best to count with their professional help to handle it -particularly now when the rules of the game have changed.

Hope it helps!

Best, 

Clara

Deleted
Coach
edited on Apr 30, 2020
Ex BCG | 4+ years experience as interviewer

Hi,

Suggest you to ask the HR whether you can start on time and whether visa could be any concern or not. Due to the visa situation, I think it is safer to ask earlier and figure out what potential implications could be there and get prepared (or find a walk around), instead of being taken by surprise at a later date. 

Best,

Emily

Deleted
Coach
edited on Apr 30, 2020
Professional full-time coach|50+ happy clients in 12 months|Ex Roland Berger PM & Recruiter|Networking to get interviews

Dear A,

First, my greatest congratulations t your offer! Well done! I would recommend you to contact HR for the details as soon as possible and clarify all the visa issues and starting date. And then just follow their instructions. 

P.S. Feel free to reach out, if you need any tips on your future career


Best,
André

Deleted
Coach
on May 01, 2020
Bain Consultant | Interviewer for 3 years at Bain |Passionate about coaching |I will make you a case interview Rockstar

Hi,

For your questions, I would just recommend reaching out to HR and getting an update. There are three main possibilities for you:

1) There is no delay to your start date and either your current residence visa can be used to start or the new visa can be processed as usual.

2) You can start working remotely with a potential delay in visa processing

3) Your offer is delayed to later in the year given the circumstances. 

Best,

A

Luca
Coach
on Apr 30, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

I would reach out to HR especially for the second point because they can give you the right instructions. I think that it's unlikely you can be asked to start remotely, you would rather wait and postpone your start date.

Best,
Luca

on May 02, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

please find below my answers:

  1. I agree with Iman, unless you need immediate confirmation I would wait more and when needed I would ask “indirectly” confirmation, for example asking clarification on what you need to have ready for day 1
  2. I am pretty sure HR will clear this for you in due time if needed

Best,

Francesco

Deleted
Coach
edited on Apr 30, 2020
150+ interviews | 6+ years experience | Bain, Kearney & Accenture | Exited startup| London Business School

First of all congrats!

1) I would not trigger this to be honest. So wait until they reach out to you.

2) When I went to the UAE the degree legalization was done when I was here. It took about 4 weeks and there were no Visa issues. For the details, I would recommend asking an expert though. 

Anonymous A
on Apr 30, 2020
Apologies, the body did not originally submit - have just updated it!
Udayan
Coach
on Apr 30, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hi

Congratulations on the role! Answers to your questions below

1. It never hurts to ask, as long as you do it politely and don't constantly email them

2. Companies work with you to find a solution on all fronts. Their legal teams are experts in dealing with all immigration related issues

All the best 

Udayan

Ian
Coach
edited on May 26, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi,

I agree with the other comments - clear, pro-active, and open communication is the best bet here. You do not want to be flying blind!

By the way, if anyone is interested in trying out cases that deal with other impacts of COVID-19, check out these two cases:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/brain-teaser/beginner/coronavirus-times-194

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/chinese-chess-191

Deleted
Coach
on May 02, 2020
Experienced strategy consultant

Hi,

1. I would wait before I trigger this conversation closer to your start date. Also use other reason to softly confirm this like: "What should I do to prepare for my first day?" kind of thing.

2. I would suggest to as an expert for the specific situation in Middle East. Here in SEA we have people start working remotely regardless of their home office (e.g. Indonesian Office working in Singapore)

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