Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Usual time to hear back after internship final round

Hi

I wanted to ask what is the usual time for HR to return back after internship interview (middle east) MBB?
It has been 3 weeks for me. What do you suggest I do?
P.S. Please not it is for an internship and not full time

8 Answers
3.7k Views
190
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Dennis
Coach
on Mar 12, 2024
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

there have been a lot of reports that processes seem to be running more slowly and people are waiting for a while to receive feedback. If you have now already waited for 3 weeks, I would try to follow up with HR to politely inquire about the status. While it hasn't been unheard of that people received news only after 4+ weeks, the amount of time you already waited warrants a follow-up.

In general though, you unfortunately just have to wait for them to get back to you with the official word.

Fingers crossed you get an offer

Ian
Coach
on Mar 13, 2024
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

In general, it's communicated to you during the internship how you're tracking.

By the end of the internship you should already have a good idea as to what they're thinking.

Did your manager communicate anything to you? You would have had frequent check-ins and feedback - how were those sessions? Were they happy with your work.

My general rule is to never assume you have a job until you have a SIGNED offer in hand.

So, I suggest you network with and apply to other firms. Hope for the best but plan for the worst.

Think about it…if you apply to others and this firm gets back to you positively, no skin off your back. If you assume you got the return offer, don't apply to other firms, and they reject you….then you're stuck.

Always mitigate the downside. The only cost is time/effort.

Alberto
Coach
on Mar 13, 2024
Ex-McKinsey Partner | Most experienced coach (15 years exp, +2.000 real interviews) | 95% success rate

Hi there,

They usually give you an answer in 2 weeks. I suggest you follow up with your recruiting contact.

ou can check how the recruiting process works from an internal MBB perspective here:

MBB Hiring Hacks - Behind the Curtain Secrets

Best,

Alberto

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Pedro
Coach
on Mar 12, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Private Equity | Market Estimates | Fit Interview

You can follow up with HR. They may or may not come back to you.

Usually an answer is given within 1-2 weeks, but to hear only after one month is not unheard of, and more frequent in the recent times.

Udayan
Coach
on Mar 12, 2024
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

A good thing is that if you were rejected they would tell you pretty soon. 
3 weeks is a while, have you reached out to  hr?

Anonymous A
on Mar 12, 2024
Yes, I sent out a mail last Thursday and also the week before that, but got no reply.
Anonymous A
on Mar 12, 2024
What do you suggest I dom now other than waiting :(
Udayan
Coach
on Mar 12, 2024
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience
Sigh, that's not nice of them. After one month you can call to try and find out if you have their number.
Florian
Coach
on Mar 12, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that! Unfortunately this is pretty standard behavior these days with recruiting across all MBBs in the Middle East.

There is a slowdown and hiring goals are re-evaluated. Could take up to 1.5 months for internship offers I have heard.

Things to focus on now:

  • Stay positive, you are still in the race
  • Look for a plan B in case it does not work out

All the best,

Florian

on Mar 13, 2024
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: I wanted to ask what is the usual time for HR to return back after internship interview (middle east) MBB? It has been 3 weeks for me. What do you suggest I do?

This seems on the long side. I would recommend reaching out to HR for an update. If you have already sent an email, you can call them.

Good luck!

Francesco

on Mar 12, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

That's rather long. 

Follow-up with a polite email to the recruiter. 

They typically get back in anything from 1 day to 2 weeks following a final round. 

Don't lose hope, though. It could also be that they didn't coordinate all the interviewers to make a decision. 

Best,
Cristian

Similar Questions
Consulting
Timeline for intern final decision
on Feb 29, 2024
Global
8 Answers
1.6k Views
Top answer by
Alberto
Coach
Ex-McKinsey Partner | Most experienced coach (15 years exp, +2.000 real interviews) | 95% success rate
60
8 Answers
1.6k Views
+5
Consulting
Evaluating the Impact of 2-3 Years at MBB on Career Opportunities
on Nov 30, 2023
Global
10 Answers
4.0k Views
Top answer by
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
156
10 Answers
4.0k Views
+7
Consulting
How important is a 4-5 month discrepancy on a background check?
on Dec 20, 2023
Global
10 Answers
5.0k Views
Top answer by
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
207
10 Answers
5.0k Views
+7
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
You are a true consultant! Thank you for consulting us on how to make PrepLounge even better!